Fire Protection Equipment (PPE): Key features, performance, and the importance of decontamination to protect firefighters from hazards

Firefighting clothing is part of what’s known as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Firefighting gear is essential for firefighters when responding to fires and rescue operations, protecting them from various dangers. Firefighters are not superhuman, so no matter how much they train, they cannot withstand the intense heat of a fire without proper protection.

Features of Firefighting Gear:

• Heat and Water Resistance: Firefighting clothing is designed to withstand high temperatures and protect against water. It also guards against pathogens that can be transmitted through blood and bodily fluids.
• General Heat Resistance: The typical heat resistance of these materials ranges from 500°C to 600°C.

Firefighting is generally managed by municipalities, and while the design and performance of the gear may vary, there are international standards (such as ISO) and guidelines set by the Fire and Disaster Management Agency in Japan.

Key Components of Firefighting Gear:

• Helmet: Protects the firefighter’s head from falling objects and debris. The back brim of the helmet is designed to prevent hot water or embers from reaching the neck or getting inside the coat.
• Hood: The hood protects the firefighter’s face and neck by creating a barrier between them and the heat or flying debris.
• Face Mask: The face mask protects against smoke, debris, and embers during firefighting operations.
• Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA): Protects against oxygen deficiency, dust, gases, and vapors.
• Gloves: Designed to be water-resistant and protect the hands from cuts, scratches, and minor burns.
• Boots: Firefighting boots are made of rubber or leather and have steel toes to protect against falling debris, glass, and metal.

Performance of Firefighting Gear:

Firefighting clothing is designed to protect the wearer from the intense heat encountered during firefighting. However, even when wearing this gear, firefighters can suffer serious injuries due to the combination of heat exposure and other factors. The gear often gets wet during firefighting, which can cause high-temperature steam and hot water to form inside, leading to severe burns. There are physical limits to how much protection firefighting gear can provide.

Contamination of Firefighting PPE:

Did you know how easily firefighting gear can get contaminated at a fire scene?

Contamination occurs when unintended substances stick to or penetrate clothing or equipment. This can range from minor dirt to highly dangerous substances like strong acid splashes. It’s important to recognize that contamination can be removed by either cleaning the clothing or leaving it alone over time. However, the biggest concern is if contamination is not decontaminated, it could continuously put firefighters at risk.

Contamination processes vary greatly depending on the environment. Much of the contamination in building fires is in the form of smoke particles and fire gases.

Smoke particles can cover the entire surface of the clothing, penetrating various parts, especially the seams between coats and pants.

Penetration and Permeation:

In addition to penetration, there is permeation. Unlike bulk passage during penetration, permeation occurs when contamination moves through materials at the molecular level. This is more subtle and can happen quickly, spreading contamination throughout the clothing.

Large bulk substances, like smoke particles, tend to coat surfaces in the form of soot. These combustion by-products can absorb and retain chemical gases produced by the fire, causing more persistent contamination.

Smoke particles can be as small as one-hundredth of a micron, making them invisible and able to penetrate fabric materials. Rubber or plastic materials with semi-solid surfaces generally stop this penetration. Leather, however, allows some degree of penetration.

Gas Contamination:

Gas, being molecular, can penetrate fabric and leather materials, but not plastic or solid films. Most chemical gases can permeate most materials depending on the size of the molecules and the nature of the material. Very dense, thick materials can reduce permeation, while metals may completely resist chemical permeation.

Firefighters are also exposed to various liquids through contaminated hoses or broken containers. Liquids can seep into clothing, penetrating materials as well.

Liquid Contamination:

Liquid contamination depends largely on the amount of liquid, its properties, and the force behind it. Protective clothing may stop small amounts of liquid, but large amounts can saturate and penetrate many porous materials.

Some liquids have higher contamination potential due to their corrosiveness or dissolving properties, which can move more easily across surfaces and degrade clothing.

Many textile materials used in firefighting gear are treated with repellent finishes, but some low surface tension liquids can still spread across surfaces and penetrate small openings.

Contamination of Helmets:

Helmets, regardless of material, can also become contaminated. The hard surface of the helmet easily allows soot to adhere. This soot coating can absorb and retain fire gases.

The same soot can settle on all exposed surfaces, including face shields or goggles, reflective trim, various plastics, textiles, and leather materials.

Dirty Helmet Syndrome:

In the U.S., a dirty helmet was once a badge of honor, a source of pride for firefighters. However, this symbol is now recognized by many as a sign of weakness or even ignorance. Firefighters who continue to glorify dirty gear despite the knowledge of toxins and contamination risks at fire scenes are setting a bad example.

The problem is that many firefighters and entire fire departments do not have clear decontamination guidelines, even as safety awareness increases.

To all firefighters: “Prioritize health and safety over pride and ego.”

Reference page: “Key fire characteristics: combustion elements, smoke risks, toxic gases, and safe firefighting techniques.”

References　National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

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