Firefighter PPE: Standards, Components, and Proper Use

What is personal protective equipment (PPE)?

PPE is equipment designed to protect firefighters from hazards and minimize the risk of injury or fatality.

What does firefighter PPE generally consist of?

Respiratory protection equipment, Personal Alert Safety System (PASS), helmets, coats, trousers, protective gloves, protective hoods, eye protection, and hearing protection.

When should firefighters wear PPE?

Firefighters should wear PPE appropriate for the type of incident and activity being performed, with all closures fastened.

What should happen before entering a hazardous environment?

A supervisor, safety officer, or another firefighter should perform a quick inspection to make sure PPE is properly donned and operational.

What are some important PPE standards?

NFPA 1971 covers protective ensembles for structural and proximity firefighting; NFPA 1975 covers station/work uniforms; NFPA 1981 covers SCBA; NFPA 1982 covers PASS; and NFPA 1977 covers wildland firefighting protective clothing and equipment.

What types of protective clothing are discussed in the chapter?

Station and work uniforms, structural firefighters' protective clothing, wildland protective clothing, emergency medical protective clothing, and special protective clothing such as chemical protective clothing.

What are the requirements for station and work uniforms?

They should meet NFPA 1975 requirements and provide functional work wear that does not contribute to firefighter injury or reduce the effectiveness of other PPE.

What is recommended for underwear under station/work uniforms?

Underwear made of 100 percent cotton is recommended.

What should firefighters know about contaminated station/work uniforms?

Contaminated uniforms should not be taken home or washed in personal washing machines or public laundromats. They must be laundered at the fire station or by a contractor.

What is structural firefighting PPE designed to do?

It is designed to provide protection during structural firefighting and must meet NFPA 1971 requirements.

What components are included in structural firefighting PPE?

Helmets, trousers, eye protection, protective hoods, coats, boots, and protective gloves.

What information must appear on an NFPA 1971 PPE compliance label?

Manufacturer identification, country of manufacture, month and year of manufacture, size or size range, footwear size and width when applicable, manufacturer address, manufacturer lot or serial number, model name/number/design, principal materials of construction, and cleaning precautions.

Why must PPE components be compatible?

PPE components must work together to provide the level of protection intended by the NFPA standard.

Can one PPE component protect against every type of hazard?

No. Each component is designed to protect against specific hazards and may not protect against other types of hazards.

Should firefighters alter protective clothing?

No. Firefighters should never alter protective clothing because alterations can endanger the firefighter, void the manufacturer's warranty, and potentially affect workers' compensation benefits.

What are examples of unauthorized PPE alterations?

Removing the moisture barrier or liner, sewing hooks/loops/clasps to the outer shell, or adding combustible decals to a helmet.

What does structural PPE protect the body from?

It covers portions of the skin and helps prevent heat transfer from the fire to the body.

What happens when protective clothing absorbs and stores heat?

The clothing can eventually become hot enough to cause contact burns when the heat penetrates the protective layers.

What is one danger of heat and moisture being trapped inside PPE?

Trapped heat and moisture can increase breathing rate, heart rate, skin temperature, core temperature, and overall physiological stress.

What should firefighters do during authorized breaks or rehabilitation when conditions allow?

Open protective clothing to allow air flow around the body, which helps lessen heat stress and reduce heart rate.

What are the primary purposes of a firefighter helmet?

Prevent heated or scalding water and embers from reaching the ears and neck, protect the head from impact injuries, and provide protection from heat and cold.

How should a firefighter properly wear a helmet?

Place it on the head, secure and tighten the chin strap, and fold the ear flaps down to cover the ears and neck.

What information may be displayed on a firefighter helmet?

The firefighter's name, fire department name, rank or unit, nickname, and accountability tags may be displayed according to department SOPs.

What forms of eye protection may firefighters use?

SCBA facepieces, helmet-mounted faceshields, goggles, and safety glasses.

Are faceshields alone sufficient eye protection?

No. Faceshields alone do not provide adequate protection from flying particles or splashes and should be used with a primary form of eye protection when required.

What is the primary eye protection during firefighting operations?

The SCBA facepiece.

When might firefighters need eye protection when respiratory protection is not required?

During emergency medical responses where body-fluid exposure is possible, vehicle extrication, industrial occupancy inspections, and station maintenance.

What do protective hoods protect?

Protective hoods protect the ears, neck, and face from heat, embers, and debris.

How should a protective hood be donned with an SCBA facepiece?

Pull the hood on before the protective coat so the hood skirt remains under the coat.

What are the three required layers of a structural protective coat?

An outer shell, a moisture barrier, and a thermal barrier.

What do the three layers of a protective coat do?

They absorb heat and trap insulating air to reduce heat transfer and provide limited protection from direct flame contact, hot water, steam, cold temperatures, and other environmental hazards.

What protective coat design features are required by NFPA 1971?

Retroreflective trim, wristlets, a collar, a closure system, and a Drag Rescue Device (DRD).

What is the purpose of retroreflective trim?

It makes the firefighter and protective coat more visible at night or in low-light conditions.

What is the purpose of wristlets?

They protect the wrists from water, embers, and debris and help keep sleeves from riding up when reaching.

What is the purpose of the protective coat collar?

It protects the neck from water, embers, and debris and must be turned up under the helmet ear flap.

What is the purpose of the coat closure system?

Snaps, clips, zippers, or Velcro fasteners secure the front of the protective coat.

What is a Drag Rescue Device (DRD)?

A harness and hand loop at the back of the neck that allows a rescuer to grab and drag a downed firefighter.

What are protective trousers made from?

They are constructed from the same fabric, moisture barrier, and thermal layering used in protective coats.

What features may protective trousers have?

Reinforcement in high-compression and high-wear areas, cargo or pocket areas for carrying gloves and small tools, heavy-duty suspenders, closure systems, and retroreflective trim.

What do protective gloves protect against?

Heat, steam, cold, penetration, cuts, punctures, and liquid absorption.

What must protective gloves allow firefighters to do?

They must provide protection while still allowing enough dexterity and tactile feel to operate tools, nozzles, and small controls.

How should protective gloves fit with the protective coat?

They should cover the wrist of the protective coat to form a complete seal.

What do structural firefighting boots protect against?

Puncture wounds, crushing injuries, scalding water or contaminated liquids, and burns from embers and debris.

What features must structural firefighting boots have?

They must meet NFPA 1971 requirements and have a steel inner sole and steel or reinforced toe cap.