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 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

SUBMITTER: Horn GP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9170133 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature