Bunker Gear or "Turnout Gear" are terms used by many firefighters to refer to their system of outer protective clothing. "Bunker gear" and "turnout gear" can refer, depending on the context, to just the trousers and
bootA boot is a type of footwear that covers the foot and the ankle and extends up the leg, sometimes as far as the knee or even the hip. Most boots have a heel that is clearly distinguishable from the rest of the sole, even if the two are made of one piece. Traditionally made of leather or rubber,...
s, and
jacketA jacket is a type of sleeved hip- or waist-length garment for the upper body. For clothing older than the mid-nineteenth century, a distinction is often maintained with a coat, but in many instances the terms are now interchangeable. A jacket is generally shorter, ending just below the waist, and...
, or the entire combination of
personal protective equipmentPersonal protective equipment refers to protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other garment designed to protect the wearer's body or clothing from injury by blunt impacts, electrical hazards, heat, chemicals, and infection, for job-related occupational safety and health purposes, and in...
and personal protective clothing. The terms are derived from the fact that the pants and boots are traditionally kept by the firefighter's
bunkBunk may refer to:* Bunk , absurd, ridiculous, nonsense, wikt:Bunkum * Bunk , truancy, to "play hookey", to "cut" or "skip" class* Bunk bed, a type of bed in which one bed is stacked over another...
at the
fire stationA fire station is a structure or other area set aside for storage of firefighting apparatus , personal protective equipment, fire hose, fire extinguishers, and other fire extinguishing equipment...
to be readily available for use. This clothing is usually referred to as Fire Kit in the UK and Ireland.
History
Historically, firefighters did not have the same level of protective clothing used today. Because of this most fires were fought from the outside of burning buildings, and structures were rarely entered. Early in the history of firefighting, a firefighters outer clothing were more for warmth and dryness than for protection from fire. In the early 1800s, felt caps were worn, which did not provide any protection against flame or
head injuryHead injury refers to trauma to the head. This may or may not include injury to the brain. However, the terms traumatic brain injury and head injury are often used interchangeably in the medical literature....
but did keep water off the firefighter's face. The forerunner of the modern firefighter's helmet was developed in 1830 by a firefighter named Henry Gratacap. This helmet is immediately recognizable today as little has changed in its general shape. Gratacap, a luggage maker by trade and a volunteer firefighter, created a helmet with a peaked front (used to break windows), ribbed eight section dome (for added rigidity) and a long rear brim that channeled water away from the wearer's neck.
The early use of long
trench coatA trench coat or trenchcoat is a raincoat made of waterproof heavy-duty cotton drill or poplin, wool gabardine, or in some cases leather: it generally has a removable insulated lining; and it is usually knee-length or longer.-History:...
s, made of leather or canvas and later made of
rubberNatural rubber is an elastomer that was originally derived from a milky colloidal suspension, or latex, found in the sap of some plants. The purified form of natural rubber is the chemical polyisoprene, which can also be produced synthetically...
, was the forerunner of modern turnout jackets. Early coats had felt or wool liners to provide warmth in the winter. These liners later developed in basic thermal protection liners found in today's modern coats. Earlier rubber coats were much longer than today's modern turnout jackets, reaching down to a firefighters mid thigh and were worn with long rubber boots called "three-quarter boots" which came above the firefighter's knees. This interface of boot and coat left a large gap of protection against fire. This system has since been replaced by the modern combination of a jacket, pants with suspenders, and shorter rubber or leather boots, although some departments still wear the traditional old style of gear.
The combination of modern triple-layer turnout gear with self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA),
PASS devicePASS device is an acronym for Personal Alert Safety System, a personal safety device used primarily by firefighters entering a hazardous IDLH environment such as a burning building, which sounds a loud audible alert to notify others in the area that the firefighter is in distress.The PASS device...
, and modern communications equipment made it more feasible and survivable to enter burning buildings. Modern turnout jackets and pants are made of fire resistant fabrics (mainly Aramids such as
NomexNomex is a registered trademark for flame resistant meta-aramid material developed in the early 1960s by DuPont and first marketed in 1967.- Properties:...
and
KevlarKevlar is the registered trademark for a light, strong para-aramid synthetic fiber, related to other aramids such as Nomex and Technora.Developed at DuPont in 1965 by Stephanie Kwolek it was first commercially used in the early 1970s as a replacement for steel in racing tires...
) or polybenzimidazole (PBI) fibers . The standard that the
National Fire Protection AssociationThe National Fire Protection Association is a U.S. organization charged with creating and maintaining minimum standards and requirements for fire prevention and suppression activities, training, and equipment, as well as other life-safety codes and standards...
has designated to firefighter protective clothing, NFPA 1971: Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting, which specifies "the minimum design, performance, safety, testing, and certification requirements for structural fire fighting protective ensembles and ensemble elements that include coats, trousers, coveralls, helmets, gloves, footwear, and interface components.
Station uniform
The first component of firefighting equipment is the uniform that a firefighter will wear around the station. Its purpose is to provide a comfortable clothing that they wear around the station and also sleep in, but will not become an obstruction when a firefighter is required to put on his turnout gear. Naturally, turnout gear is to be worn over the station garments during any call that a firefighter is called upon. Another aspect of the station uniform is the station safety shoes, commonly referred to as work boots. These shoes are required to be fitted with safety toes and puncture-resistant soles in most countries in case the firefighter goes out on a call that does not require his/her turnout gear.
United States
The United States follows NFPA 1975, Standard on Station/Work Uniforms for Fire Fighters. NFPA 1975s main purpose is that no part of the uniform garment “ignite, melt, drip, or separate” when exposed to a heat of 500°F for 5 minutes.
Turnout clothing
Turnout clothing can consist of a combination of pants with a overall strap attached, boots, and a jacket. Most fire departments seem to use a pant-jacket combination. The advantage of this combination is the ability to take off the jacket in situations where the jacket is not necessary. Since bunker gear insulates the body from the outside air the body heats up rapidly, taking off a jacket helps considerably in keeping cool.
Materials
According to NFPA 1971 and similar standards in other countries, all turnout clothing must be comprised of three components: an outer shell, a moisture barrier, and a thermal barrier. In between these layers are pockets of air referred to as "dead zones". These layers of air along with the three protective layers help to further insulate the wearer from the extreme environments of fires. Usually turnout pants are outfitted with reinforced knees and leather cuffs.
The materials used for the three layers in turnout pants and coats may vary but will very often include a Nomex/Kevlar combination of material. As an example, the materials used by the Los Angeles City Fire Department, as found in their 2005 recruit handout are as follows:
- Outer Shell: Southern Mills, Advanced, Nomex
Nomex is a registered trademark for flame resistant meta-aramid material developed in the early 1960s by DuPont and first marketed in 1967.- Properties:...
/KevlarKevlar is the registered trademark for a light, strong para-aramid synthetic fiber, related to other aramids such as Nomex and Technora.Developed at DuPont in 1965 by Stephanie Kwolek it was first commercially used in the early 1970s as a replacement for steel in racing tires...
blend in a "Rip stop Weave", with water repellent finish.
- Thermal Insulated Layer: Southern Mills Caldura Batten Quilt Material.
- Thermal and Moisture barriers are sewn together for removal for cleaning, repair and replacement from Outer shell.
- Moisture Barrier: Breathe-Tex material combined with Nomex/Kevlar blend laminated cloth.
NFPA 1500 (Primary Guidelines for the Fire Service) and similar standards mandate features such as protective collars and sleeves to protect the fire fighter from exposure to heat, (hot or polluted) water and debris;
Turnout pants
Once the need arises for actual firefighting protective equipment to be worn, also known as turnouts, a firefighter must properly wear protective equipment required. Turnout pants will be the first article of clothing that a firefighter will usually wear.
SuspendersSuspenders or braces are fabric or leather straps worn over the shoulders to hold up trousers. Straps may be elasticated, either entirely or only at attachment ends and most straps are of woven cloth forming an X or Y shape at the back. Braces are typically attached to trousers with buttons using...
worn with the turnout pants should be the heavy duty type in order to stand up against such heavy weights and rigorous activities they will face. Most experienced interior firefighters (Firefighters that enter the structure in an emergency) will carry, in their turnout pant pockets, various tools and equipment as well as rope they may need during an emergency. You can expect to find a multipurpose tool in the cargo pocket of a firefighter. The turnout pants, when not in use, are usually stored scrunched down around the boots for efficient and fast access when they are needed. The firefighter may then step into each boot and pull up the pants and suspenders.
Turnout coat
A turnout coat is the type of jacket typically worn by firefighters. Oversized pockets to allow for carrying tools and equipment, and reflective safety stripes to ensure that firefighters remain visible to each other. Protective coats will usually have
VelcroVelcro is a brand name of fabric hook-and-loop fasteners. It consists of two layers: a "hook" side, which is a piece of fabric covered with tiny hooks, and a "loop" side, which is covered with even smaller and "hairier" loops. When the two sides are pressed together, the hooks catch in the loops...
or zipper functions which will enable a firefighter to properly and efficiently don this piece of gear. There is also a storm flap which covers this closure area and protects it against damage and loosening and as an extra measure to the fire fighter as these areas can be exposed to fire and heat. Wristlets, 4 inch (according to NFPA 1500) 100% Nomex coverings along the distal end of the coat arms in with the thumb joint will slip through, fit around the firefighters hand and provide redundant protection where the skin may show between the glove and coat. They are designed to prevent burns to the wrist, while preventing bunching and remaining flexible.
Overall
The overalls that are available are of the same materials and specifications. Usually an overall has a cord built in around the waist to make it fit better. Because of its size it's more difficult to scrunch up the overall around the boots.
Boots
Usually pre-fitted inside the legs of the trousers are the firefighting boots, which can be made of either rubber or leather. When the trousers and boots are not being actively used, the trousers will fold down and out around the shins of the boots, ready for quick access for the firefighter. Due to the enormous amounts of potential hazards at a fire scene to the feet, turnout boots are required to be able to handle a variety of different burns and blows. All boots are required to be outfitted with safety toes and a puncture resistant midsole plate to prevent puncture from sharp objects that may be stepped on. Such emphasis on the midsole plate is made that IFSTA has deemed that “if there is doubt about midsole protection, [one should go as far as to] x-ray the boot.”
Flash hood/Nomex hood and other parts of the garments
When helmets do not provide built-in protection for the ears, neck and part of the face a protective firefighting hood is worn by firefighters. These are fitted and designed to protect the firefighter’s ears, neck, and the parts of his face which are not protected by the SCBA mask.
They are designed to the guidelines set by NFPA 1975. Cal/OSHA Title #8 also has regulations in the state of California. They are made of Nomex Knit Fabric which weighs 6 oz./ Sq. Yrd.; they are most often double ply with only one seam running from the top center of the face opening, over the top and down the bottom of the bib. The Nomex Knit, which is standard, is why they are commonly referred to as Nomex hoods. First, the hood is tucked into the collar. The SCBA mask is then donned, and the hood pulled over the face seal to cover any exposed skin.
Firefighter helmet
The fire helmet is first and foremost designed to protect a firefighter from falling debris and injury to the head while fighting a fire. The secondary job of the fire helmet is to protect from heat, and hence burns to the head. It provides a hard shell, electrical, heat, and steam burn protection, and in some types of helmets,
gogglesGoggles or safety glasses are forms of protective eyewear that usually enclose or protect the area surrounding the eye in order to prevent particulates, water or chemicals from striking the eyes. They are used in chemistry laboratories and in woodworking. They are often used in snow sports as...
or a
visorA visor is a surface that protects the eyes, such as shading them from the sun or other bright light or protecting them from objects. Nowadays many visors are transparent, but before strong transparent substances such as polycarbonate were invented, visors were opaque like a mask with small holes...
. Goggles or a visor are used to protect the firefighters' eyes during rescue and extraction operations. In some countries, firefighting helmets are designed for identification purposes through coloring and numbering systems. Fire helmets are constructed of various materials including non conductive materials for protection against electrical currents, carbon fiber and plastic combination for a lightweight design for comfort, and a Kevlar lining for strength and protection.
The design of helmets vary from fire service to fire service and depends on the brigade's or department's requirements. Some helmets are fitted with a face guard or shield to protect the firefighters face against heat, dust, water and debris when working on a rescue or extraction call as well as when performing fire exposure protection. In the case of exposure protection the shield works better for it keeps more heat from the firefighters face, but the goggles give more eye protection in extraction and rescue ops.
United States
There are four basic components to firefighting helmets:
- Helmet shell: Well balanced, lightweight, and designed to provide maximum protection. Contains a Front Brim (provides protection to "eyes and facial" area), Rear Brim (Protection to "neck" from debris and water run-off), and Raised Top (Provides stability from impact from above).
- Impact ring: 3/8" thick sponge rubber Impact Ring to absorb impact energy
- Helmet liner: High Density plastic liner, made of fire retardant cotton and nomex; completely adjustable; "NAPE Strap" adjusts to firmly cradle the occipital portion of head.
- Chin strap: 3/4" wide, black nylon w/ Velcro on one end, leather backed "postman" side buckle. The leather helps protect the skin of the cheek from the metal buckle. Previous types of helmets had been constructed of a steel outer shell with a ribbed construction for extra strength and compressed cork with a lacquer applied to the outer face of it. The design and shape of the helmet is intended to redirect water and debris from the head and neck area. It also prevents head or neck injury to the firefighter in the event of falling debris.
Colors
Helmet identification will vary from department to department. The Color and Numbering system as used by LAFD (Los Angeles City Fire Department) is as follows:
- White: Chief Officer
- Orange: Captain
- Yellow: Firefighter
- Red: Arson
- Blue: Emergency Medical
- Brown: Fire Patrol
- Yellow: Squad
- Green: Marine
- Orange: Probationary Firefighter
The Waukegan, Illinois, Fire Department uses the Traditional Yellow Scotchlite Tetrahedrons for Firefighters and Blue Tetrahedrons for Company Officers. There is no National Standard, but most fire departments utilize a distinction to separate company officers from firefighters for the sake of organization and safety on the fireground.
Europe
In Europe and some Europe-oriented countries around the world the helmet designs vary from the U.S. designs in that they are moving towards a style without brims. The pilot-style helmets have a brim at the front of the helmet, and a shape that covers more of the head. The neck is protected by a combination of a nomex (or similar material) flash hood, and a foil-faced neck curtain which connects to the rear of the helmet. In most designs the nomex fabric also protects the area around a SCBA facepiece and the front of the neck. A commonly used helmet is the F1 helmet although several other designs like the Dräger HPS Helmet are in use.
These helmets tend to have in-built face protection (visors) and eye protection that swivel into the shell of the helmet for protection.
EN 443:1997 (Helmets for firefighters) specifies the properties that are demanded for protection, comfort and durability. There are optional specifications to cater for national requirements.
Hand protection
There are many types of hand protection which are available to firefighters today, the most common being the work glove and the structural firefighting glove.
Work gloves are a must for all fire departments. They are used when gloves are required, but actual firefighting gloves are not. They allow better mobility to perform various types of functions from relaying hose beds to vehicle maintenance. Work gloves are usually made of leather or a leatherlike material.
Extrication gloves are similar in design and appearance to auto mechanic's gloves but are made of a heavier rip-proof and puncture-resistant material such as Kevlar while still lightweight enough to allow the manual dexterity to operate
rescue equipmentHydraulic rescue tools are used by emergency rescue personnel to assist vehicle extrication of crash victims, as well as other rescues from small spaces. These tools include cutters, spreaders and rams. They are popularly referred to in the United States, Canada and Australia as Jaws of Life, a...
and sometimes enough to take a victim's
pulseIn medicine, a person's pulse is the arterial palpation of a heartbeat. It can be palpated in any place that allows for an artery to be compressed against a bone, such as at the neck , at the wrist , behind the knee , on the inside of the elbow , and near the ankle joint...
. These are used in
urban search and rescueUrban search and rescue involves the location, extrication, and initial medical stabilization of victims trapped in confined spaces. Structural collapse is most often the cause of victims being trapped, but victims may also be trapped in transportation accidents, mines and collapsed trenches...
,
vehicle extricationVehicle extrication is the process of removing the vehicle from around a person or persons that have been involved in a motor vehicle accident when conventional means of exit are impossible or unadvisable.A delicate touch is needed to minimize disturbance to the victim during the extrication...
and related applications, but are not rated for firefighting.
For an actual working fire, structural firefighting gloves must be worn. Structural gloves tend to be the last piece of protective equipment to be donned; usually because the free dexterity of the fingers are required to perform functions such as properly placing an SCBA mask on and accurately tightening a helmet strap. The gloves will fit over the wristlets and under the distal part of the coat sleeve, ensuring full enclosure of the latter arm. Gloves are designed to protect from extreme heat, various penetrating objects, and to allow dexterity. Usually the latter is sacrificed in order to give adequate protection to heat and sharp objects. Newer gloves are more lightweight and don't lose their dexterity when they dry after becoming wet, the way leather gloves may.
Proximity suit
There are several other related types of protective clothing worn by firefighters, which are not usually called turnout gear:
Proximity gear or a
fire proximity suitA fire proximity suit is a suit designed to protect a firefighter from high temperatures, especially near fires of extreme temperature such as aircraft fires....
is turnout gear with an outer layer of heat-reflecting metallic material, used in firefighting applications of extreme heat such as
aircraftAn aircraft is a vehicle which is able to fly by being supported by the air, or in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil An aircraft is a vehicle which is able to fly by being supported...
fires and some chemical fires.
Hazmat suit
Hazmat suits are designed to prevent the wearer from coming into contact with hazardous materials. The suits come in two variations; gastight (called Level A in the US) and splash protection (Levels B or C in the US). These suits are uncomfortable to wear and usually require the use of SCBA or an airline breathing apparatus.
Wildland fire suppression
Protective clothing worn for forest fire and other
wildland fire suppressionWildfire suppression refers to the firefighting tactics used to suppress wildfires. Firefighting efforts in wildland areas requires different techniques, equipment, and training from the more familiar structure fire fighting found in populated areas...
use is made of a single layer of lightweight Nomex material and worn with leather logging boots and an industrial
hard hatA hard hat is a type of helmet predominantly used in workplace environments, such as construction sites, to protect the head from injury by falling objects, impact with other objects, debris, bad weather and electric shock. Inside the helmet is a suspension that spreads the helmet's weight over the...
. A tent-like
fire shelterA fire shelter is a safety device of last resort used by wildland firefighters when trapped by wildfires. It is designed to reflect radiant heat, protect against convective heat, and trap breathable air in an attempt to save the firefighter's life...
is carried for emergency use in case of a blowup. In the U.S. the standard color scheme for wildland fire PPE since the 1970s is yellow for shirts, green for pants. Steel toed or rubber boots cannot be worn due to the heat conditions on the fireline. U.S. standards for wildland gear are covered in NFPA 1977.
See also
- Hazmat suit
A Hazmat suit is a garment worn as protection from hazardous materials or substances. A Hazmat suit is generally combined with breathing apparatus for protection and may be used by firefighters, emergency personnel responding to toxic spills, researchers, specialists cleaning up contaminated...
- Leatherhead (helmet)
For centuries, firefighters have worn helmets to protect them from heat, cinders and falling objects.-Modern structural helmet:Modern structural helmets are worn in the United States and Canada, as well as Britain and Hong Kong. Structural helmets are made of either thermoplastic or composite...
- F1 helmet
- PASS device
PASS device is an acronym for Personal Alert Safety System, a personal safety device used primarily by firefighters entering a hazardous IDLH environment such as a burning building, which sounds a loud audible alert to notify others in the area that the firefighter is in distress.The PASS device...
- Self contained breathing apparatus
A self contained breathing apparatus, or SCBA, sometimes referred to as a Compressed Air Breathing Apparatus or simply Breathing Apparatus is a device worn by rescue workers, firefighters, and others to provide breathable air in a hostile environment. When not used underwater, they are sometimes...
- Splash suit