Key requirements for wildland fire P.P.E. include: Protection of the worker; it must not contribute to fatigue; it must not fail prematurely; and it must be functional, durable, comfortable and economical.
The comfort concern is primarily one of heat stress, since the firefighter is often working for a prolonged period of 12-16 hours in a high-temperature environment. Economical equipment doesn't necessarily mean that which costs the least; life-cycle costs, not just acquisition costs, must be considered.
The basic components of wildland fire P.P.E. include: hardhat, neck shroud, goggles, shirt, trousers, gloves, boots and fire shelter.
The major protective functions performed by FR clothing include protection against falling embers, flames and other hot and/or flaming substances during routine fires, in aircraft accidents, during a fleeing situation to avoid entrapment, and during entrapment with, or without, a fire shelter.
In a wildland fire situation, the thermal hazard depends on the rate of I heat transfer and the temperature of the respirable air. By reflection and absorption, protective clothing shields the skin from both convective and radiant heat transfer by serving as a barrier to heat. If clothing ignites and continues to bum, the amount of heat reaching the body, naturally, increases. Flame-resistant materials used in wildland fire protective clothing either prevent or delay ignition. The materials used in wildland P.P.E. will ignite if the heat load is great enough; fire-resistant clothing will resist flaming but not disintegration.
To be effective, FR clothing should remain a barrier between the wearer and the heat source. It must insulate and not become a hazard itself. The fabric should not ignite, break open or transmit gaseous tars to the wearer.
Protective Clothing & Equipment
5100 Fire
October-November 1993
9351-2851-MTDC
This page last modified October 1, 1999
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since October 1, 1999