IFSTA Ch. 6 - Firefighter Personal Protective Equipment

Probability of Cancer Among Firefighters

2 times as likely to develop intestinal, liver, prostate, and testicular cancer malignant melanoma and non-hodgkin's lymphoma. 3 times as likely to develop skin, brain, and bladder cancer and leukemia. 4 times as likely to develop kidney cancer.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Designed to protect you from hazards and minimize the risk of injury or fatality.

Personal Protective Clothing (PPC)

Use is mandated by NFPA 1500: Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program. Helmets. Coats. Trousers. Boots. Eye Protection. Hearing Protection. Protective Gloves. Protective Hoods.

SCBA and PASS Device Design and Construction Requirements

NFPA 1981: Standard on Open-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for Emergency Services. NFPA 1982: Standard on Personal Alert Safety Systems (PASS).

Structural Firefighting Protective Clothing

Must meet NFPA 1971: Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting; requires that all components include a permanent label that shows compliance with the standard.

Structural Fire Fighting

Activities required for rescue, fire suppression, and property conservation in structures, vehicles, vessels, and similar types of properties.

Proximity Fire Fighting

Structural fire fighting at fires that produce high radiant, conductive, or convective heat. Includes aircraft, hazardous materials transport, and storage tank fires.

Should Never Alter Protective Clothing

May void the manufacturer's warranty, affect workers' compensation benefits, and endanger your life.

Helmets

Headgear that provides protection from falling objects, side blows, elevated temperatures, and heated water. Also can indicate rank, unit, and accountability.

Eye Protection

Include face shields, goggles (ANSI Z87.1), and safety glasses. Is needed in Emergency medical responses, Vehicle extrications, Wildland fires, Industrial occupancy inspections, and Station maintenance. Safety glasses and goggles protect against 85% of ey

Protective Hoods

Designed to protect the firefight's ears, neck, and face from heat and debris. Typically made of Nomex, Kevlar, or PBI. Available in long or short styles.

Protective Coats

Must be made of three components: Outer shell, Moisture Barrier, and Thermal barrier. Must have five design features: Retroreflective trim, Wristlets, Collars, Closure system, and Drag Rescue Device (DRD).

Protective Trousers

Constructed from the same fabric, moisture barrier, and thermal layering used in protective coats. AKA Bunker Pants or Turnout Pants.

Protective Gloves

Protect hands and wrists from heat, steam, cold penetration, cuts, punctures, and liquid absorption. Must allow enough dexterity and tactile feel to grasp tools and manipulate small objects.

Fire Fighting Boots

Protect the foot, ankle, and lower leg from: Puncture wounds, Crushing wounds, Scalding water, and Burns.

Hearing Protection

Required by NFPA 1500, not 1971. Maximum noise exposure levels are 90 decibels (U.S.). Intercom/ear protection systems are the most effective because they allow the crew on the apparatus to communicate.

Personal Alert Safety System (PASS)

Electronic sensor that sounds a loud alarm when a firefighter becomes motionless for more than 30 seconds. Can be manually activated. Alarm must be at least 95 decibels and go off continuously for at least one hour. Three settings: Off, Alarm, and Sensing

Wildland Personal Protective Clothing

NFPA 1977: Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting. Includes: Gloves, Goggles (ANSI Z87.1), Jackets, Trousers, One-piece jumpsuits, Long-sleeve shirts, Helmet, Face/Neck Shrouds, Footwear, Fire Shelter (Fire-resistant alum

Roadway Operations Clothing

Wear retroreflective trim which reflects headlight beams, providing visibility at night or in low light situations.

Emergency Medical Protective Clothing

NFPA 1999: Standard on Protective Clothing for Emergency Medical Operations. Includes: Utility gloves, Medical examination gloves, Eye/face protection devices, Facemask, Footwear, Footwear cover, Medical garment, Medical Helmet, and Respiratory protection

Technical Rescue Protective Clothing

NFPA 1951: Standard on Protective Ensembles for Technical Rescue Incidents. May be dual certified for emergency medical use.

Standing/Swift Water Rescue Protective Clothing

Full body wet suit that is buoyant, thermally-insulated, and abrasion/puncture resistant.

Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Protective Clothing

NFPA 1994: Standard on Protective Ensembles for First Responders to CBRN Terrorism Incidents.

Proximity Fire Fighting Protective Clothing

Similar to structural protective clothing but with an aluminized outer shell which reflects high levels of radiant heat and protects against direct flame contact.

Station/Work Uniforms

NFPA 1975: Standard on Station/Work Uniforms for Emergency Services. Synthetic clothing can melt, stick to skin, and cause serious burns. Two functions: Identify the wearer as a member of the organization, and Provide a layer of protection against direct

Care of Personal Protective Clothing

NFPA 1851: Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting

Inspecting

PPE should be inspected at the beginning of each work shift, after every use, after washing, repair, decontamination, and on a periodic basis. Health and Safety Officer should inspect PPE annually.

Routine Cleaning

Does not require to remove from service. Includes: Brushing with a broom or soft bristle brush or a Gentle spray of water.

Advanced Cleaning

Performed by personnel trained in care and cleaning of PPE using a dedicated washing machine.

Specialized Cleaning

Required when clothing is contaminated with hazardous materials or body fluids that can not be removed by routine or advanced cleaning. Performed by a trained member or an outside contractor.

Contract Cleaning

Performed by the manufacturer, its representative, or a certified vendor.

Repairing

Damaged PPE must be repaired IMMEDIATELY by the manufacturer, an approved facility, or a trained member. PPE damaged beyond repair must be removed from service and destroyed.

Safety Considerations

Overlap between coat and trousers must be a minimum of 2 inches at the waist when bent over to a 90 degree angle. First degree burns start at 118'F skin temperature. Second degree burns start at 131'F. Third degree burns start at 152'F.

Respiratory Protection

Required during: Structural and wild land fires, Medical responses, Confined-space search, rescue, and recovery, and Repair work.

Oxygen Deficiency

At least 16% is needed to produce flames or sustain human life. 19.5%: Normal conditions. 15%-19%: Ability to perform strenuous work decreases and coordination is impaired. 10%-12%: Dizziness, headache, and rapid fatigue. Hypoxia: Potentially fatal condit

Elevated Temperatures

Inhaling superheated air can cause: Pulmonary edema (Fluid in the lungs) and Asphyxiation (severe oxygen deficiency and an excess of other gases in the blood). Prompt medical treatment is required.

Particulate Contaminants

Very small particles of solid material that is suspended in the atmosphere. Use Air-Purifying Respirators or Powered Air-Purifying Respirators.

Gases and Vapors

Gases exist at standard temperature and pressure. Vapors result from temperature or pressure changes that affect a solid or liquid. Carbon Monoxide (CO) combines with hemoglobin 200 times more effectively than oxygen. Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN) is 35 times mo

Airborne Pathogens

Disease-causing microorganisms that are suspended in the air. High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) Filter: single-use mask that designates the percentage of airborne particles that it can effectively remove.

Types of Respiratory Protection Equipment

Atmosphere-Supplying Respirators (ASRs): Provide breathable air when working in oxygen deficient, toxic, or gas-filled atmospheres. Air-Purifying Respirators (APRs): Filter particulates out of the ambient air.

Supplied Air Respirators (SARs)

Connected to a breathing-air compressor or portable air supply, providing breathable air for a much longer duration. Not approved for fire fighting.

Closed-Circuit SCBA

Recycles exhaled air, removes CO2, and restores oxygen. Not approved for fire fighting.

Open-Circuit SCBA

Uses compressed air and allows exhaled air to be discharged into the atmosphere. Four basic components: Backplate and harness assembly, Air cylinder assembly (Aluminum, aluminum wrapped in fiberglass, or a Kevlar/carbon composite material), Regulator asse

Air-Purifying Respirators (APRs)

Remove contaminants by passing ambient air through a filter, canister, or cartridge. Filters are single-use. N-Not resistant to oil, R-Resistant to oil, P-Used when oil is present. Have visual ESTIs.

Storing SCBA

Can be placed on the apparatus in seat (Do not remove seat belt to don), side, and compartment mounts, or in carrying cases.

SCBA Donning Checklist

Check: Air cylinder gauge (No less than 90% of capacity), Remote Gauge (Within manufacturer's limits), Harness assembly and face piece (Straps fully extended), All valves (Function properly), All battery-powered functions. Test: Low-pressure alarm, PASS d

Donning an Unmounted SCBA

Either use the Over-the-Head Method or the Coat Method.

Donning from a Seat Mount

Must be able to do so without removing the seat belt. Do not keep the face piece connected to the regulator during storage and do not connect the regulator and breathe cylinder air while seated in the apparatus. NFPA 1901: Standard for Automotive Fire App

Donning from a Side or Rear External Mount

Faster than from unmounted, slower than from seat-mounted. Exposed to weather and other physical hazards.

Donning from a Backup Mount

Located inside compartments which may interfere with donning. Some have a telescoping frame which extends the SCBA outward.

Donning the Facepiece

Tighten by pulling opposing straps evenly and simultaneously to the rear. Lower straps, then temple straps, and finally the top strap if there is one.

Inspections and Care

SCBA must be cleaned and inspected after each use, at the beginning of every shift, and every week. Need for repairs must be reported IMMEDIATELY. Wash the face piece with warm water containing mild commercial disinfectant and rinse with clear, warm water

Annual Inspection and Maintenance

Must be performed by specially trained, factory-qualified technicians.

SCBA Air Cylinder Hydrostatic Testing

Cylinders must be labeled with the date of manufacture and the last hydrostatic test. Steel and aluminum cylinders: Tested every 5 years, Indefinite service life. Hoop-wrapped aluminum and Fully wrapped fiberglass/Kevlar cylinders: Tested every 3 years, 1

Refilling SCBA Cylinders

Source must provide Type 1 Grade D quality air. Only RICs can fill unshielded cylinders while a firefighter is wearing the SCBA. Three sources: Stationary fill systems, Mobile fill systems, Firefighter Breathing Air Replenishment Systems (FBARS).

Firefighter Air Replenishment Systems (FBARS)

Required for some newly constructed buildings taller than 75 feet. Provide an endless source of breathing air to any floor within the structure from a ground level connection.

Cascade Fill System

Uses a compressor unit which filters air connected to three or more large cylinders to refill small SCBA cylinders.

Compressor Fill System

Uses an air compressor to generate the pressure necessary to refill cylinders.

Replacing SCBA Cylinders

If the cylinder contains less than 90% of its capacity.

Safety Precautions

In any IDLH atmosphere, work in teams of 2 or more and remain in physical, voice, or visual contact. Radio contact is not sufficient!

Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)

Legal term for the maximum amount of chemical substance that an employee can be exposed to.

Buddy System

Individual members must never be left alone in an IDLH atmosphere unless in a confined-space where two members cannot fit (Second member must monitor the search line and be ready to enter to rescue)

Controlled Breathing

Inhale naturally, through the nose, then forcefully exhale through the mouth.

Egress Paths

Use the same path that you used to enter.

Accountability Systems

Required by NFPA 1500. Must check in/out with accountability officer before entering/exiting the IDLH area.