For firefighters, turnout gear isn't just a uniform. It's a shield between your skin and your surroundings. The right materials and properties not only hold up to flames and debris, but they also protect you from burns and other exposures.
Like all types of personal protective equipment (PPE), turnout gear has evolved over the years. Those in the profession for a couple of decades have seen materials lighten, become more breathable and move better, all without compromising their gear's performance.
Yet, upgrading turnout gear can be a considerable expense. Hence, most departments try to get as much use out of their current uniforms as possible. But if you're ready to make this move, here's what to keep in mind for your budget and your team's safety.
The Evolution of Turnout Gear
Older firefighting professionals contended with heavier, heat-containing, rough and stiff materials. Over the past couple of decades, however, turnout gear brands have focused on developing more ergonomic coats, pants and gloves that don't compromise thermal protection.
These changes have entailed:
- Switching from plain-weave fabrics, known for a stiffer and less-flexible feel, to twill weave, a material similar in texture and performance to denim.
- Incorporating cooling technologies to both manage perspiration and keep firefighters comfortable in high-stress, demanding environments.
- Developing performance-oriented fabrics that deliver equal amounts of strength and flexibility, often with a lighter weight.
- Continuing to follow and surpass NFPA 1971 standards for structural firefighting gear regarding strength, reducing thermal and other environmental exposures and shielding the wearer from bloodborne pathogens.
Selecting the Right Turnout Gear
When it's time to toss your older turnout gear and upgrade your lineup, take the following into account:
Age and Wear
Never continue fighting fires with turnout gear showing visible signs of wear. That said, it's not always the most budget friendly to upgrade simply because a new technology or material entered the market. Between these two extremes:
- Truly know the hazards your firefighters face: Today, fires are hotter and more frequent, and your turnout gear not only needs to hold up but reliably protect the wearer.
- Understand how well your gear performs for your operations, including extinguishing flames, saving lives and preserving properties. Garments that slow your workforce down or induce fatigue ultimately hinder your efforts.
- Examine fit and technologies: As breathable becomes the norm, know if it's time to switch to more industry-standard garments.
Know What You Need
Before performing an assessment, make a list including common activities, motions and operations, and examine these qualifiers against:
- Turnout gear construction, including its outer shell, moisture barrier and thermal liner, and its overall weight.
- Thermal Protective Performance (TPP) and Total Heat Loss (THL) values.
- How the body will stay cool and the gear's ability to reduce heat stress.
- Any specific accessories you might need, including zippers, pockets or reinforcements.
The goal, here, is to end up with breathable, ergonomic gear that performs as expected and meets NFPA criteria.
Perform an Assessment
It's never a good idea to wear turnout gear to a job without testing it first. As such, if you're planning to upgrade your department's uniforms, you're advised to evaluate thermal protection and injury risks ahead of time.
Generally, these assessments involve having your team wear gear from different types of brands in test environments to examine the garments' safety and effectiveness. During these tests:
- Have all firefighters, new and experienced, wear the same brand of turnout gear to perform basic functions, from using a hose to operating a ladder, and ask for their opinions regarding mobility afterward.
- Have your team wear the gear in a controlled environment to gauge breathability, durability and the garments' ability to withstand common firefighting hazards.
- Once it passes these tests, take the new turnout gear into the field to see how it performs over a longer timeframe.
Searching for Turnout Gear?
Direct your inquiries to Fire Safety USA. We've been supplying departments like yours with the essentials since 2005 and are home to a range of PPE and turnout gear brands. Explore today to learn more about features, and order garments to assess in control and real-world environments.