5. Awareness Level
4–5
PPE and Hazardous Materials
• Structural fire-fighting and high-temperature
protective clothing — Offer limited protection
against chemical hazards
• Chemical-protective clothing — Offers
protection against hazardous materials
– Requires training above the first responder
Awareness Level
6. Awareness Level
4–6
Requirements of PPE
• NFPA standards state requirements for
personal protective equipment
– Design
– Certification
– Testing
8. Awareness Level
4–8
Components of Structural Fire-
Fighting Protective Clothing
• Helmet
• Coat
• Pants
• Boots
• Gloves
• Personal alert safety
system (PASS)
device
• Hood
9. Awareness Level
4–9
Limitations of Structural
Fire-Fighting Clothing
• Limited protection against hazardous materials
– Neither corrosive-resistant nor vapor-tight
– Gaps occur in clothing
– Chemicals can be absorbed into the equipment
– Rubber or neoprene in boots, gloves, and SCBA
facepieces can become permeated by chemicals
and rendered unsafe for use
10. Awareness Level
4–10
Structural Fire-Fighting Protective
Clothing at Haz Mat Incidents
• Structural fire-fighting protective clothing is
commonly used at haz mat incidents when the
following conditions are met:
– Contact with splashes of extremely hazardous
materials is unlikely
– Total atmospheric concentrations do not contain
high levels of chemicals that are toxic by way of
skin contact
– There is a chance of fire or there is a fire
11. Awareness Level
4–11
Purpose of Chemical-Protective
Clothing and Equipment
• To shield or isolate individuals from the
chemical, physical, and biological hazards that
may be encountered during haz mat operations
14. Awareness Level
4–14
Selection of CPC
• Depends on specific chemical and on specific
tasks
• Selection considerations:
– Most CPC is impermeable to moisture
– Garment’s permeation, degradation, and
penetration abilities
– Service life
16. Awareness Level
4–16
CPC Degradation
• Degradation — Occurs when the
characteristics of the material in use are altered
through contact with chemical substances
(1 of 2)
17. Awareness Level
4–17
CPC Degradation
An acid eating away the outer layers of structural
fire-fighting protective clothing is an example of
chemical degradation.
(2 of 2)
21. Awareness Level
4–21
CPC Written
Management Program
• All emergency responders and organizations
who routinely select and use CPC should
establish a written CPC management program.
24. Awareness Level
4–24
Disadvantages of
Positive-Pressure SCBA
• Heavy weight of the units
• Limited air supply duration
• Change in profile that may hinder mobility
• Limited vision caused by facepiece fogging
• Limited communications if not equipped with a
microphone or speaking diaphragm
25. Awareness Level
4–25
Level D Ensembles
• Used for nuisance contamination and used only
when no atmospheric hazards exist
• Provide no respiratory protection and minimal
skin protection
• May not be worn in the hot zone
26. Awareness Level
4–26
Level D Ensemble Components
• Consist of typical work uniforms, street clothing,
or coveralls
• Includes items such as:
– Gloves
– Safety glasses
– Boots
– Hardhats
27. Awareness Level
4–27
Level D Ensemble Use
• Atmosphere contains no hazard
• Work functions preclude splashes, immersion,
or the potential for unexpected inhalation of or
contact with hazardous levels of any chemicals
28. Awareness Level
4–28
PPE Care and Inspection
• The user must take all steps to ensure that the
protective ensemble performs as expected
• All PPE and respiratory equipment must be
inspected on a routine basis
• Records must be kept of all inspection
procedures
29. Awareness Level
4–29
Summary
• Personal protective equipment is essential in
emergency response. The type of PPE used
depends on the specific incident. Typical PPE
consists of respiratory equipment and either
structural fire-fighting, high-temperature, or
chemical-protective clothing.
• Structural fire-fighting clothing provides very
limited protection against hazardous materials.
(1 of 3)
30. Awareness Level
4–30
Summary
• Chemical-protective clothing provides
protection against hazardous materials. No one
type of CPC protects against all hazards.
• Positive-pressure SCBA is often used at
incidents and has both advantages and
disadvantages.
(2 of 3)
31. Awareness Level
4–31
Summary
• Level D ensembles are typical work uniforms,
street clothes, or coveralls and are only
appropriate for nuisance contamination.
• PPE care and inspection is an important
component in ensuring that PPE is properly
maintained and safe for the user.
(3 of 3)
