Author: Dominic Beasty

When you are busy fighting fires and rescuing people, you might not have thought about how to maintain your firefighting kit.

Anyone involved in firefighting knows that their kit is their best friend. This safety barrier protects people working on the frontline from all manner of hazards, from freezing cold temperatures to the most extreme heat, from toxic chemicals to the invisible hazard of particulates.

But the kit can only do so much on its own. Making sure the kit is up to the task is, at least in part, down to the user.

So how can anyone involved in firefighting and associated activities preserve the life of their kit through regular maintenance?

New British Standard for maintaining your firefighting kit

BS8617 was published in 2019 with detailed guidance for the inspection, testing, cleaning, decontamination, drying, repairs, replacement, and retirement/disposal of firefighting personal protective equipment (PPE). While it recommends that each fire service should have a contract provider for cleaning and maintaining kit, there are also steps individuals can take to preserve their equipment.

Understanding your durable water repellent layer (DWR)

The DWR layer is the element of your structural suit that makes the biggest difference between it being professional safety equipment and normal clothes. As the name suggests, it keeps out water, but it also protects you from other liquids, including battery acid and other corrosive chemicals.

Crucially, though, by making the fabric non-porous, the DWR also keeps out particulates, which are now widely recognised as one of the biggest dangers to the health of a firefighter. Particulates in a firefighting scenario can penetrate the skin and get into the blood stream, where they can be carcinogenic. We have a whole blog post on particulates here.

Maintaining your DWR is a simple yet effective measure against these known poisons. To check whether your suit is still water (and particulate) tight, simply spray it with water from a spray bottle. If the water pools in droplets on the surface, the DWR is working effectively. If it soaks into the fabric, the DWR has failed and the garment needs to be re-treated.

When to repair and when to replace your firefighting suits

Within BS8617 is provision for keeping excellent records and traceability for all PPE items. This provides the opportunity to keep a close eye on maintenance spending, monitoring how much money is spent on each item. If a new jacket costs £200 for example, and you have already invested £150 in repairs, there’s a good chance it will be more cost effective to replace the jacket the next time it is damaged instead of paying for another repair.

Garments will also need to be retired if they are over 10 years old (or older than the lifespan determined by the manufacturer) or if they have been contaminated by chemical, biological, radioactive or nuclear agents.

Good maintenance protocols go hand in hand with constant kit inspections to flag issues as they arise. Read more about kit inspections here.

Now you have more information about how to maintain your firefighting kit, if you’ve identified that replacement is better than more repairs then take a look at our full range of structural, wildland fire, HVP and rescue kit here, or call one of our experts on +44 (0) 1332 341030.

A revised version of the European standard for firefighter protective clothing – BS EN469 – has been published in 2020 so we wanted to take the time to explain why UK state brigade kit must meet BS EN469 Level 2 standards.

The new European Standard makes several key changes and improvements on the 2005 version and our previous blog explains what the new revisions mean.

One element that we know UK-based crews are struggling to make sense of is the Level 1 and Level 2 standards, so here we explain the difference, why it exists and how it applies here in the UK.

Understanding the levels

The European Standard specifies Level 1 kit for fighting fires in the open, wildland fires, for example. Level 2 kit is full structural kit, the kind that is intended to keep you safe no matter what you are doing. The kind that repels water, contaminants and steam, but lets out sweat.

Some clothing meets Level 1 and some clothing meets both Levels 1 and 2.

Why UK crews need Level 2 kit and why Level 1 exists

Within the EU, particularly in France and Spain, and also in the US, firefighting crews can be split into two units – the ones who go into burning buildings and those who stay outside. Since full structural kit is intended to protect against structural fires, including flashovers, there’s a trade-off between comfort and safety. For those who stay outside, lighter, more breathable kit that conforms to Level 1 will keep the crews safe enough, but those facing the heat and intensity of the fire need far higher levels of protection.

Here in the UK, most Fire and Rescue Service crews operate a single crew model, where everyone has to be ready to deal with all situations and levels of risk, meaning full structural kits that conform to Level 2 standards are a must for everyone.

Of course, there are still situations where Level 1 kit will do the job: wildland fires, rescue operations (although there are specific wildland and rescue firefighter clothing standards) and clear up operations are easier to do in lighter kit that doesn’t need the same heat or water resistance.

Kit for on ships

Marine companies must have firefighting kit on board. Few ships have a dedicated firefighting crew, rather a team with firefighting training but other on-board responsibilities. Most fire situations on a ship can be dealt with using a fire extinguisher, while larger events will lead straight to an evacuation, but in the event that crew members face a fire that needs fighting, they’re going to need kit that is similar to EN 469:2020 Level 2, but the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) have their own standards.

It can be tempting to save costs with a lower specification suit, but in the confined environments on a ship, clothing equivalent to EN 469:2020 Level 1 kits will not be sufficient, exposing firefighting crew to an unnecessary level of risk.

The FlamePro Beacon fire fighters kit provides the full range of safety measures for firefighting on the high seas.

What to look out for when buying kit

The word “lightweight” will be music to the ears of anyone who has had to don full structural firefighting kit, but these items are lightweight for a reason. Lightweight often equals less protection, less heat insulation and no moisture barrier.

Moisture barriers are essential for structural kit as they prevent water, pathogens and steam getting to the skin, causing burns and contamination. Level 1 compliant suits don’t have to have this.

Not only can FlamePro Level 2 compliant suits be relied on to keep the wearer safe, they also have a fully-fledged PTFE membrane that allows the maximum amount of vapour (sweat) out of the garments. Others may have PU membranes which are more like plastic bags.

To understand the British and international standards that apply to firefighting kit, visit the certifications and standards page of our website. Each item in our catalogue, lists which standard it is compliant with so you can buy with confidence, which is useful. now you know why UK state brigade kit must meet BS EN 469 Level 2 standards.

If you would like any further advice on what to look for when specifying your firefighting kit don’t hesitate to get in touch or call one of our experts on +44 (0) 1332 341030.

From holding your baby to lifting a cuppa to your mouth, from feeling your way through a building dark with smoke to gripping a ladder, there’s no doubt hands are precious – keep them safe with gloves.

There are 17,000 touch receptors and nerve endings in the palm alone, picking up sensations of pressure, movement and vibration. A chemical or fire burn compromises our sense of touch and our ability to fully interpret the world as we travel through it – as well as your ability to be an effective firefighter.

Gloves are your hands’ best friends

It’s important that your crew wears the right gloves for the right situation. For example, increased heat resistance can come at the cost of dexterity. However, if you’re facing a structural fire, you’ll need the heat resistance. Finding the right balance is worth taking the time over as comfort is an important element when it comes to safety – it makes your crew more likely to keep their gloves on their hands, where they belong.

To help you find the balance between the right level of protection and being able to do what you need to do with your hands, washable gloves can offer much more flexibility than traditional leather ones. When leather gloves go through any kind of washing, they can become stiff, making them less comfortable and less flexible, which reduces the wearer’s dexterity.

As a result, firefighters often end up wearing their gloves when they’re dirty instead of handing them in for laundering. This not only makes it harder to do their job, but could pose a risk of exposure to particulates.

How often have you seen a colleague take off their gloves and stow them in a helmet while cleaning up after attending an incident? How often have you done it yourself? Know we know about the risks of particulates – now think about the journey they go on, from the gloves from the inside of the helmet, from the helmet to the firefighter’s skin and from the skin into the bloodstream, where they can have deadly consequences.

Choosing gloves that are designed to be washed and retain their comfort and dexterity can make a huge difference to a firefighter’s willingness to wear them.

When to wash

Gloves should be washed every time the rest of the kit is washed. Don’t throw them in a locker after a shower assuming they’re clean enough for another call-out. Even if they don’t appear to be dirty, they can have hidden risks, contaminants from appliance handles.

How to wash

Washing in hot soapy water might clean away some of the surface muck, but there’s no way of knowing that all contaminants have been cleaned away so all kit should be laundered through a professional laundry service.

Choosing gloves

FlamePro stocks the full range of Holik firefighting gloves, which are designed to be laundered. They have been tested after 40 washes, to ensure they will stand up the toughest of situations.

The Crystal firefighting gloves are all-rounder fabric gloves, designed to be comfortable to wear with additional protection on the back and fingertips for enhances safety. The Hunter fire gloves are cut for comfort, filled with shock absorbers and additional reinforcement. And the Maris gloves are reinforced with hidden protection, offering high protection against radiant heat. All these gloves are washable.

Alongside the structural gloves, FlamePro also stocks a range of Holik rescue gloves, specifically for rescue suits rather than structural suits. The Miwa rescue gloves are strong yet comfortable, flexible and breathable. They have built in cut resistance and elastic wristbands. Read our blog on rescue kit.

No matter what the call out is, the right gloves are available and keeping them clean and well maintained will protect your firefighters. For a whole range of operations, in work and at home, hands are precious – keep them safe with gloves.

If you would like any further advice on what to look for when specifying your firefighting kit don’t hesitate to get in touch or call one of our experts on +44 (0) 1332 341030.

The European standard for firefighter protective clothing – BS EN469 – has been revised and published in 2020. The new standard makes several key changes and improvements on the 2005 version, which we thought it would be helpful to explain for you here.

Key changes in BS EN469 2020

The updated standard increases the requirement for flame spread and heat resistance testing of:

• Any reinforcement material

• Anti-wicking barrier – which also has size limitations added

• Drain mesh – which also has size limitations

• Hardware – must be tested for heat resistance only

• Any label (> 10cm²), badges and retro reflective materials must be tested for flame spread as part of the whole garment

It also sets a design requirement and specifies performance testing for external pockets and gives detailed instructions about how to test hardware. The heat resistance of sewing threads must now be tested to 260°C.

But the biggest change in the new standard relates to testing the ability of a garment to perform in its “as received” state. The previous standard – BS EN 469:2005 – only required garments to meet the standard after having been laundered five times. The new standard makes it clear that garments need to provide relevant protection against heat transfer and radiant heat from day one of use.

Why testing “as received” is important

It’s critical that firefighters have confidence in their kit and it’s ability to protect them from the extreme conditions they can face. In theory, the fibres of fabric fluff up and fabrics open up during laundering, increasing the heat protection a garment can provide.

As the previous standard stated garments had to meet the requirements after being laundered five times, it is technically possible that a brand new garment didn’t meet the standard.

The impact of this change to testing might be that garments need more insulation to ensure they pass the test parameters in new condition. This could make garments heavier, so needs careful consideration when specifying new kit.

Aiming for a lower HTI (Heat Transfer Index) value will deliver the same heat protection to your crews. A value of 18 should be the new expectation, where 20 might have been the previous spec. There will be a weight difference between garments delivering 18 and 20 when tested as new.

Changes to chemical repellancy testing added to BS EN 469:2020

Firefighters’ protective clothing needs to provide a level of protection against chemicals by repelling them to stop them soaking into the garments and potentially getting on to firefighters’ skin.

BS EN469:2020 makes a couple of changes to the requirements for testing a garment’s ability to repel chemicals, reducing the list to just two for outer fabrics – H2SO4 and O-xylene – and adding a new requirement for testing the deterioration of a garment’s ability to repel chemicals due to cleaning.

There have also been a number of changes to the annexes in BS EN 469:2020:

• Annex A: Assessment, evaluation, and determination of the property values for rating and performance classification

• Annex B: Contamination during use: guidance on cleaning and risk prevention

• Annex C: Summary of the clothing heat and flame protection; selection, use, care and maintenance guidance

• Annex D: Updated information on the optional whole garment test for level 2 garments using EN ISO 13506-1:2017 (currently under revision)

• Annex E: Information on the new test method available for assessing the physical impact of the suit using a sweating torso

The timeline for changing to all firefighter garments complying with BS EN469:2020

As when all standards change, the new standard is not retrospective, so it is not the case that PPE has to immediately meet the new standard.

Here at FlamePro we’re making sure that all of our new launches will meet the 2020 standard and we’ll re-test and re-certify any items in our range as part of our ongoing certification updates. So you can continue to buy FlamePro firefighter PPE with confidence knowing that it will protect your crews the way it needs to.

If you want some help with explaining the changes to BS EN469:2020 – the firefighter protective clothing standard, give one of our friendly team a call on +44 (0) 1332 341030.

Fire brigades are now officially known as fire and rescue services – a title which reflects the changing role and demands placed on them. Fighting fires is no longer the only thing they get called on to do, in fact, it isn’t even the most consistently attended type of incident, according to statistics.

Best garments for firefighters attending high volume pumping incidents

Fire brigades are now officially known as fire and rescue services – a title which reflects the changing role and demands placed on them. Fighting fires is no longer the only thing they get called on to do, in fact, it isn’t even the most consistently attended type of incident, according to statistics.

What are fire and rescue brigades called on to do?

According to the UK Government’s latest statistics (for the year up to December 2019) there were 555,759 incidents requiring fire and rescue service attendance. Of these, 28% (157,156) were fires, including secondary fires (those not involving people or property) – a 12% decrease on the previous year.

False alarm fires were the type of incident most attended at 41%and non-fire incidents 30%.

Non-fire incidents include attendance at flooding, road traffic collisions and animal incidents, along with attending collaboration incidents such as helping other agencies enter/exit from an incident.

44% of the fires attended in the year to December 2019 were primary fires, a 6% decrease on the previous year. Dwelling fires, other building fires and vehicle fires all reduced by similar numbers (between 4 and 5 percent).

Dwelling fires made up the biggest proportion of primary fires, but there have been large decreases in structural fires over the past two decades, due in part to the education and fire safety role of the Fire and Rescue Service, but also driven by an increase in adoption of smoke alarms.

Since October 2015 landlords in the UK have been required to fit smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors where possible, in their properties. Building Regulations also prescribe the type and location of smoke and fire alarm systems for new buildings.

Is firefighter PPE fit for every job?

As the role of firefighters has changed, with response now relatively evenly split between fire and non-fire incidents, are full structural firefighting suits still suitable for every incident?

If brigades only provide one set of response kit, how can it be right for all possible scenarios?

Firefighting kit made for entering fires needs to provide protection from extreme heat and smoke. This necessarily makes it heavy and cumbersome to wear. Is that the right kit to respond to a road traffic incident with people requiring cutting from vehicles? Or to assist with flooding incidents?

Even when responding to fires, how many times do firefighters actually have to go into the flames instead of dealing with the fire from a distance? This raises questions for the industry to answer: does that mean that current turn-out kit is “over-specified”? And does that result in problems of its own, such as firefighters suffering from heat stress, which causes exhaustion, due to wearing hot, heavy kit when its fire protection benefits aren’t required?

What’s the alternative?

This is the key question. There are a host of factors to take into account: operational, safety, stowage, updating procedures, budget… there is no easy answer. However, most would agree there needs to be some improvement.

We make a range of standard and bespoke solutions suitable for differing jobs such high volume pumping, tackling wildfires and attending rescue incidents. The priorities are kit that’s lightweight but also practical and tough. All kit needs to be tough enough to provide protection and designed with practicality in mind.

Some brigades are now using a technical rescue jacket, which can be worn when responding to non-fire incidents.

What other clothing options would work for your brigade? What difference would station clothing that was fire resistant and comfortable make if it meant you could avoid donning full kit for every shout?

Our new product development team works hard to bring to market the best in firefighting kit and we’re keen to reflect the modern firefighting environment. What clothing or kit would you like to see brought to market?

To discuss the options for your brigade, give our friendly team a call on +44 (0) 1332 341030.

All firefighter PPE must conform to a range of international and British standards, but how useful are the test results when choosing your firefighters’ kit? How can you be sure that you have created the right specification for your new firefighting PPE? And what are the elements to consider before making a decision on what to buy?

What standards must firefighting garments meet?

Firefighting clothing must meet a variety of international and British standards including:

• EN 469:2005 – minimum protection requirements for protective clothing for firefighters, measured as Level 1 (lower protection) and Level 2 (higher protection)

• EN 13911 – protective clothing and hoods for firefighters

• BS 8617:2019 – cleaning, maintenance and repair

There are additional standards for helmets, footwear, gloves, eye protection and a range of other firefighting PPE.

Each garment will be tested by an independent specialist laboratory and a test report issued. But as with many things, the numbers don’t tell the whole story.

What is firefighting kit tested for?

The four main areas of performance that firefighting clothing is tested for are:

• Heat protection rating

• Breathability rating

• Ergonomic rating

• Moisture vapour resistance rating

Firefighting suits are made up of layers – usually an outer layer, a moisture and particulate barrier and a thermal lining. Getting the right balance of all three so that the firefighting gear both offers protection and doesn’t hamper the wearer or put them at increased risk of exhaustion is the holy grail of kit design.

Clearly clothing made for tackling fires needs to be able to protect the wearer from heat – but what’s the Goldilocks standard? When does too much heat protection become a problem for other areas of performance?

An increased heat protection rating will increase the weight of the kit and how hot the wearer will get. This decreases the breathability rating. So where is the sweet-spot for the right level of heat protection which also gives your firefighters enough breathability?

The minimum standard for heat protection is 13 – do you need to specify a higher number if that means your team will tire more quickly and be hotter when working, putting them at increased risk of heat exhaustion?

The ergonomic rating tells you how easy it is to move around in the kit, but the assumption is that the easier it is to move around, the more compromises have been made on heat protection due to the materials available but with the right kit that doesn’t have to be the case. Again, it’s about finding the right balance between the protection offered and the practicalities of wear.

The moisture vapour resistance rating (also known as the RET rating) is a measure of how breathable the kit is. A lower number is better for this test.

The moisture barrier in firefighting turnout kits help protect against water, chemicals, and viral agents leaching through on to clothes and skin underneath. But they also need to allow moisture out of the kit to minimise the chances of firefighters suffering from steam burns.

How to decide on the right firefighting kit for you?

With such a large number of variables for each individual piece of firefighting kit, the very best way to decide on what’s right for your brigade is to do some user acceptance testing. Once you’re satisfied the kit meets the minimum standards to keep your crews safe, testing the kit in the field and getting feedback from your team will help you make the right choice.

The kit you choose might depend on the types of incidents you predominantly respond to but should heavily take account of the views of your crews on what kit helps them work for longer or keeps them cooler.

Even kit with very similar testing results may operate differently when used in the field, so deciding on the right firefighting kit for your brigade cannot be a paper exercise. It needs to take account of the realities of what your crews are asked to do, and how the kit helps them do that job.

For advice on how useful tests are when choosing your firefighting kit – or on any aspect of firefighting PPE – give one of our friendly team a call today on +44 (0) 1332 341030.

If you’re responsible for the firefighting kit for your fire and rescue service, it can be a vast undertaking and knowing what to look for when specifying new kit is critical. Staying up to date with the latest technology and products will help keep the firefighters in your services safe, preventing injury and even death.

It’s a complex task and one that state brigades usually only undertake every eight years or so. You’ll need to familiarise yourself with standards, lab test results, types of fabric, and strike a balance between comfort and safety. It’s a huge responsibility and one taken seriously by every buyer we’ve advised.

The right kit at the right time

If essential kit is damaged, you’ll want a replacement ASAP to make sure your firefighters are safe and prepared for the next call. Unfortunately, the industry has a lot of catching up to do when it comes to order lead times that meet customer expectations. Far from the next day delivery we’re used to in our personal lives, the industry standard for delivery of firefighting kit is still 12-18 weeks. That’s a long time to be waiting on life-preserving kit!

At FlamePro, we manufacture in Europe and keep items in stock. If you’re ordering standard items, you can expect to receive them in just a few days. Made to order items are guaranteed within 6-8 weeks, halving the industry standard and making sure you have what you need when you need it.

Balancing comfort and effectiveness

If your crew are spending several hours working hard in all weathers, comfort will be key, but knowing the situations firefighters face, there can be no compromise on safety. When specifying kit, it’s essential that your crew member can say it feels good on their back. This is where looking at user trials rather than just test results can give you the best kind of information.

Structural suits are heavy. And with 31 per cent of call outs being non-fire related incidents, over specifying on heat resistance can mean kit is heavier to wear than necessary, making it hotter and subjecting firefighters to unnecessary heat stress.

The right kit for the task

While state crews are fighting fires on 28% of calls, private crews – at airports and petrochemical sites, for example – spend the majority of their time rescuing people from heights and other non-fire call outs.

It’s important, therefore, to consider what your firefighters need. While a full structural kit will always be an essential for those call outs that do involve fire, the second kit could be a lightweight kit that provides protection against the elements, but is easier and more comfortable to wear when not working in intense heat.

When specifying your kit, consider what your crew does the most and what they need to keep them safe and comfortable when they’re doing it. Do you only need one type of turnout kit, or would a couple of versions give your crews the flexibility they need?

There is a lot to consider when choosing the right suit for your firefighters. Like, whether or not there is enough heat resistance, or whether you want a more breathable option. Using our performance grading scales you’ll be able to easily find the suit for you. You can learn about the fabrics which make up each suit too. We know it’s important that you make the right choice.

If you would like any further advice on what to look for when specifying your new firefighting kit don’t hesitate to get in touch or call one of our experts on +44 (0) 1332 341030.

Firefighting kit has a number of functions; it protects crew members in a wide range of situations and makes them instantly recognisable in an emergency. Replacing your kit at the right time keeps you safe and comfortable, no matter what the shout is for.

According to the UK Home Office, in the last year, 28 per cent of call-outs involved responding to fires, 42 per cent were fire false alarms and 31 per cent were non-fire incidents. Non-fire incidents have increased from 23 per cent of call outs ten years ago.

The five largest categories of non-fire incidents in the last year were road traffic collisions, effecting entry/exit, assisting other agencies, medical incidents, and flooding incidents. This demonstrates the breadth of tasks a firefighter might be expected to complete when wearing their kit. In a nutshell, you need to be ready for anything!

Making your firefighting kit last

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves by focusing only on replacement; there are ways of making your firefighting kit last. Inspecting it after every shout and regular cleaning and maintenance will make your kit last as long as possible.

We’ve written useful blog posts on how to inspect your kit and how to maintain your kit to help fire and rescue services to get the most out of your most important investment.

When does turnout kit expire?

Technically there’s not a blanket expiry date for firefighting kit, though manufacturers might specify the lifespan of individual garments. The new British Standard for the inspection, testing, cleaning, decontamination, drying, repairs, replacement and retirement/ disposal of firefighting personal protective equipment (PPE) is BS8617. Published in 2019, it recommends that firefighting kit should be replaced at least every 10 years.

So the answer to the question: how often should I replace my firefighting kit? is at least every 10 years, according to the British Standard, but there are reasons for not waiting that long.

Should I replace my firefighting kit sooner?

While private fire and rescue services might not face too many call outs, state operated fire and rescue services in England responded to 557,299 incidents in the last year. Of these, 153,957 were fires.

With so much opportunity for wear and tear, it’s inevitable that firefighting kit will reach the point of needing to be replaced.

In some instances, it might simply make economic sense. If a new jacket costs upwards of £200, for example, and has already had £150 invested in repairs, it might be more cost effective to replace the jacket the next time it is damaged instead of paying for another repair. Professional care and maintenance companies will inspect kit every time it goes for cleaning and should provide advice about when kit should be condemned as it’s unsafe to wear, or when it makes more economic sense to replace it.

Fit is essential. When the London Fire Brigade replaced its firefighting kit in 2018, Deputy Commissioner Tom George acknowledged that they needed a kit that could support and protect crews in a range of incidents whether fighting fires, freeing people trapped in crashed cars or complex rescues from collapsed buildings.

Firefighting kit must also be retired if it has been contaminated by chemical, biological, radioactive or nuclear agents.

Now you know how to identify when your firefighting kit is past it’s best and how often you should be replacing your kit, take a look at our full range of structural, wildland fire, HVP and rescue kit here, or call one of our experts on +44 (0) 1332 341030.