Impact of Repeated Exposure and Cleaning on Protective Properties of Structural Firefighting Turnout Gear

Abstract

The US fire service has become acutely aware of the need to clean PPE after fires. However, there is concern that damage from repeated cleaning may impact critical protection from fireground risk. Using a protocol that included repeated simulated fireground exposures (between 0 cycles and 40 cycles) and/or repeated cleaning with techniques common in the fire service, we found that several important protective properties of NFPA 1971 compliant turnout gear are significantly changed. Outer shell and thermal liner tear strength showed a statistically significant reduction when laundered as compared to wet or dry decontamination. Larger changes in outer shell tear strength resulted when the coat closure incorporated hook & dee clasps as compared with garments using zippered closures. Total Heat Loss was reduced for all samples that underwent any form of cleaning while Thermal Protective Performance was only increased in the gear that was laundered. These results suggest that some important protective properties of bunker gear can be decreased after repeated exposure/cleaning cycles relative to their levels when tested in a new condition. For the specific materials tested, outer shell trap tear strength in the fill direction and seam strength dropped below NFPA 1971 requirements after 40 laundering cycles. The findings for this study may have utility for setting preconditions for the measurement of certain performance properties in future editions of NFPA 1971.

Effects of firefighting hood design, laundering and doffing on smoke protection, heat stress and wearability

“…Outer shell (Kevlar V R /Nomex V R ), moisture barrier (ePTFE film) and thermal liner (Kevlar V R /Lenzing FR V R face cloth with Nomex V R batting) were selected as among the most common options on the market at the time of production. Protective performance characteristics of this PPE ensemble have been reported previously (Horn, Kerber, Andrews, et al 2020). Total heat loss (THL) of the new composite material was 254 W/m 2 and thermal protective performance (TPP) was 44.0 cal/cm 2 , both of which exceed NFPA 1971 requirements (National Fire Protection Association 2018; 205 W/m 2 and 35.0 cal/cm 2 , respectively).…”

“…Firefighters participated in groups of three while wearing one of three different PPE configurations: New Knit Hood and PPE (K) -PPE and hoods were new for the first trial and laundered between each wear, with a maximum of 3 launderings prior to completion of the study New Particulate-Blocking Hood and PPE (B) -PPE and hoods were new for the first trial and laundered between each wear, with a maximum of 3 launderings prior to completion of the study Laundered Particulate-Blocking Hood and PPE (L) -Particulate-blocking hoods and bunker gear were exposed to smoke and laundered following NFPA 1851 guidelines (National Fire Protection Association 2020) 40 times (protocols reported elsewhere (Horn, Kerber, Andrews, et al 2020)) prior to human subject trials. Laundered particle-blocking hoods were from the same manufacturer and were identical make and model as the new particleblocking hoods.…”

Evaluation of an Ozone Chamber as a Routine Method to Decontaminate Firefighters’ PPE

“…It is known that fires generate toxic and carcinogenic substances as consequence of the incomplete combustion of wood, plastic, and other fuels present in structural or wildland fires [3,[10][11][12][13][14][15]. Furthermore, the use of polymeric compounds in modern buildings and furniture can generate even more toxic substances [3,15].…”

“…It is known that fires generate toxic and carcinogenic substances as consequence of the incomplete combustion of wood, plastic, and other fuels present in structural or wildland fires [3,[10][11][12][13][14][15]. Furthermore, the use of polymeric compounds in modern buildings and furniture can generate even more toxic substances [3,15]. Chemicals typically found in fires include, among others, aldehydes (mainly formaldehyde, and acrolein), aromatic compounds (as benzene), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH, as pyrene, anthracene, and benzo[a]pyrene), chlorinated hydrocarbons (as dichloromethane), as well as toxic inorganic gases (as CO, NO x , HCN, SO 2 , and HCl) known for causing acute effects [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21].…”

“…The advanced treatment is performed by the appropriate washer extractors and should be carried out at least twice a year. Thirdly, the most specialized treatment is used for the decontamination of specific chemical or biological hazardous products [15,25]. Although the advanced cleaning is more efficient for removing contaminants than the routine cleaning, it can damage the PPE and endanger the firefighters' safety [15].…”