Fire Fighters Suit

A fire fighters suit is a suit designed to protect a

fire fighter from high temperatures, especially near
fires of extreme temperature such as aircraft fires.
Fire fighters suits first appeared during the 1930s,
and were originally made of asbestos fabric (hence
also known as the asbestos suit). Today they are
manufactured from aluminized materials that
reflect the high radiant loads produced by the fire.

Fire fighters suit

There are three basic types of these aluminized suits:
Approach suitused for work in the general area
of high temperatures such as steel mills and
melting facilities. (Ambient heat protection up to
~200 F (93 C).)
Proximity suitused for aircraft rescue and fire
fighting. ambient protection~ 500 F (260 C))

Fire
fighters
suit
Entry suitused for entry into extreme heat and
situations requiring protection from total flame
engulfment. Most commonly made of Fyrepel. (Entry
suit ambient protection ~1,500 F (816 C) for short
duration and prolonged radiant heat up to 2,000 F
(1,093 C))
FYREPEL: ALUMINIZED NOMEX BY DUPONT PROXIMITY SUIT FIRE
FIGHTING COAT

Fire fighters suit

Complete proximity protection requires:
Aluminized hood or helmet cover with neck
shroud
Aluminized jacket and pants complete with vapor
barrier insulated liner
Aluminized lined gloves
Aluminized AR-FF boots
SCBA

Fire Fighters suit

Fire fighters suit should be made from three ply of
fabrics.
outer ply should be flame retardant.
middle ply should be vapor barrier.
inner ply should be thermal barrier.

Fire Fighters Suit

Outer layer should be made from aramid fiber or
blend of aramid and novoloid fiber or blend of FR
cotton and novoloid fiber.

(Novolac: high thermal and flame resistance fiber,

85% cross linked novolac, phenol formaldehyde)
Solid fabric of mentioned fibers are embrittled
within 10 seconds, but blends are less brittle in
such condition.

 Blends
of these canSuit
protect body from flame for at
Fire
Fighters

least 28 seconds.
The middle layer protect from harmful chemicals
and toxic fumes.
Middle layer is a barrier for evaporating self
generated sweat and vapor which is harmful as
well. For this reason, European fire fighters dress is
made w/o middle layer.
Inner layer should be made of soft, light weight
cotton.

Fire Fighters Suit

Another Option of FF suits:
Two ply woolen and one ply cotton fabric is suitable
for fire fighters,
outer ply may be made of wool serge which is fine
and densely woven.
middle layer is coarse and brushed woolen,
works as heat resistant.
inner layer may be made of light weight cotton
fabric, used as lining.

Fire Fighters Suit

Effectiveness of clothing related to the thickness of
clothing.
Higher the thickness of the clothing, better the
effectiveness.
Excessive thickness may be discomfortable for
wearer.
Component of FF suits is usually Cotton, mixture
of different cellulosic fibers, aramid, wool, lather,
asbestos, glass and ceramic.
Thickness of fabric is more important than the

type of fibers.

Fire Fighters Suit

Certain synthetic fabrics may melt in relatively low

temperature, can cause severe burns.

Clothing contains nylon or polyester, even if they are
blended with natural fibers, MUST NOT be used in a fire
fighting suits.
Clothing made of cotton or wool is generally safer to wear.
Nylon or polyester may melt but wool or cotton may char or
even burn without melt.
Fire fighters should be able to don within 60 seconds.

Drawback of Fire Fighters Suit

Fire fighters suits retain body heat and perspiration, can

rapidly develop elevated body temperature even when

ambient temperature is cool.
Another drawback is that it limits mobility, movement
awkward and difficult, this increases energy expenditure
and adds stress.
It decreases normal sensory abilities,
Sight is restricted when fire fighters wear SCBA.
Ear Flaps and hoods limits hearing.
SO, fire fighters suits should be made in such way that
eliminate/reduces mentioned problems.

Fire fighters suit

Fire fighters suits

Fire fighters dress

Fire fighters dress

Fire fighters dress

Price: US $ 2955