TY - JOUR
T1 - A Post-use Evaluation of Turnout Gear Using NFPA 1971 Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and NFPA 1851 on Selection, Care and Maintenance
AU - McQuerry, Meredith
AU - Klausing, Stacy
AU - Cotterill, Deena
AU - Easter, Elizabeth
PY - 2015/9/1
Y1 - 2015/9/1
N2 - The purpose of this research was to conduct a post-use evaluation of firefighter turnout gear that had been in use for time intervals between 2 years and retirement. Inspection and testing procedures as required by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1851 Standard on Selection, Care and Maintenance of Structural Fire Fighting and NFPA 1971 Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting were followed. Sixty seven garments from career fire departments were evaluated during Phase I of the study; 76 garments from volunteer fire departments were evaluated during Phase II and during Phase III, 108 retired garments were evaluated. Visual assessments of the used garments included inspection of closure system functionality, light evaluation, leakage evaluation, and flashlight test. Composite performance assessments included thermal protective performance (TPP), total heat loss (THL), flammability, tear strength, seam strength, breaking strength and water penetration. The results of the visual inspection and performance testing of the turnout gear were used to determine if the current recommended 10 year wear life (retirement age) was appropriate. The results of the leakage evaluation did not validate similar results with water penetration testing. TPP, THL and flammability supported a wear life of at least 10 years; however, tear resistance, breaking strength, seam strength, and water penetration supported a wear life no greater than 10 years. The majority of garments tested met the flammability requirements mandated in NFPA 1971.
AB - The purpose of this research was to conduct a post-use evaluation of firefighter turnout gear that had been in use for time intervals between 2 years and retirement. Inspection and testing procedures as required by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1851 Standard on Selection, Care and Maintenance of Structural Fire Fighting and NFPA 1971 Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting were followed. Sixty seven garments from career fire departments were evaluated during Phase I of the study; 76 garments from volunteer fire departments were evaluated during Phase II and during Phase III, 108 retired garments were evaluated. Visual assessments of the used garments included inspection of closure system functionality, light evaluation, leakage evaluation, and flashlight test. Composite performance assessments included thermal protective performance (TPP), total heat loss (THL), flammability, tear strength, seam strength, breaking strength and water penetration. The results of the visual inspection and performance testing of the turnout gear were used to determine if the current recommended 10 year wear life (retirement age) was appropriate. The results of the leakage evaluation did not validate similar results with water penetration testing. TPP, THL and flammability supported a wear life of at least 10 years; however, tear resistance, breaking strength, seam strength, and water penetration supported a wear life no greater than 10 years. The majority of garments tested met the flammability requirements mandated in NFPA 1971.
KW - Firefighter
KW - NFPA standards
KW - Post use
KW - Retirement
KW - Turnout gear
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84941417030&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84941417030&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10694-014-0446-x
DO - 10.1007/s10694-014-0446-x
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84941417030
SN - 0015-2684
VL - 51
SP - 1149
EP - 1166
JO - Fire Technology
JF - Fire Technology
IS - 5
ER -