Firefighter Turnout Gear Durability Study—Evaluation of Visibility Trim

Abstract

Abstract. The high visibility trim requirements for NFPA 1971for NFPA (2007 turnout gear are intended to provide the user conspicuity enhancements in both daytime and nighttime environments. This study evaluated the reflectance, color and fluorescence properties of high visibility trim on firefighters used turnout gear. Forty-four used garments, grouped in age categories from 2 to 10 years (retired), were visually evaluated according to the Section 4 of the NFPA 1851-Advanced Inspection Checklist. Advanced inspection identified damaged trim on 21 of the 46 garments. The damaged areas, located primarily at the cuffs and lower front hem, were not as reflective but passed the subjective flashlight test. A data sampling plan for retroreflective values was constructed for the coats and pants and the coefficients of retroreflection were collected to provide a measure of the nighttime conspicuity. To characterize the fluorescent (daytime) properties of the trim on the used garments the values for fluorescence and color box coordinates were measured. The measured coefficient of retroreflection (R A , cd/lux/m 2 ) for all garments (average of all values in the sampling plan) was greater than 39 the minimum NFPA 1851 requirement. Therefore, all used gear provided substantial nighttime conspicuity enhancement including the retired gear.

Moisture barriers used in firefighters' protective clothing: Effect of accelerated thermal aging on their mechanical and barrier performance

“…The manufacturer of the fabric attributed the problem to repeated heat damage experienced by the garment, which should have led to the garment being taken off service 16 . In addition, studies conducted on used firefighters' protective clothing, some of them still in use, have evidenced reductions in the turnout gear's performance over time 17–21 . For instance, 65.7% of the less than 10‐year‐old moisture barriers evaluated failed to meet the water penetration requirement set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).…”

Hydrothermal aging behavior of high‐performance polymeric fibers: Mechanical performance at the yarn scale and chemical analysis

“…[16] standard. [17][18][19][20][21] What is more worrisome is that in some instances, a major loss in performance can occur before a clear visual indication of fabric aging. 22 Investigations on the accelerated aging of highperformance fiber-based fabrics have been conducted by researchers to determine the consequences of aging on performance, degradation mechanisms, and kinetics.…”

Thermal aging of high‐performance fabrics used in the outer shell of firefighters' protective clothing

“…8,9 In a series of studies conducted at the University of Kentucky on firefighters' suits used in fire stations from 2 to 21 years, the researchers measured severe loss in the outer shell fabric performance. [10][11][12][13][14] They observed that 10% of the outer shells tested that were 4 years old or less did not pass the mechanical performance requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)'s NFPA 1971 specification. 15 In addition, 65% of the moisture barriers tested did not meet the NFPA 1971 15 requirements for water penetration.…”