Firefighters face many hazards in their work environment. Protective equipment like fire protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs) are essential to protect firefighters. There are different types of fire protective suits - approach, proximity, and entry suits - designed for varying levels of heat exposure. SCBAs provide breathable air to firefighters and allow independence from remote air sources. Proper use, maintenance, and lifeline communication are important for firefighter safety.

1. UNIT 12: FIRE PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
Introduction
Protective equipment may be worn for job-related occupational safety and health purposes. The
purpose of personal protective equipment is to reduce employee exposure to hazards when
engineering and administrative controls effective to reduce these risks to acceptable levels. PPE is
needed when there are hazards present. PPE has the serious limitation that it does not eliminate the
hazard at source and may result in employees being exposed to the hazard if the equipment fails.

2. Firefighter’s Concerns:
Firefighters are exposed to many hazards associated with their work environment such as toxic
substances in the ambient air, high radiant heat intensities, and hot flames are common risks in fire
extinguishing work.
Generally, the risks to fighting personnel arises from:
i. The effect of heat on the body, face and hands.
ii. The effect on lungs due to combustion products and gases used for fire extinction
iii. Reduced visibility due to smoke or lighting failures.
iv. Electric shock
v. Falling objects
vi. The effects of wearing wet clothing next to the skin for long periods
vii. Exposure to poisonous atmospheres.

3. Wearing protective clothing is essential to protect the fire-fighters from thermal exposures and other
life threatening risks. In general, the standard protective clothing is a multilayer construction, which is
heavy and bulky to provide the desired thermal protection
The fire-fighter’s protective clothing should fulfil the following requirements
i. Protect fire-fighters from radiant heat,
ii. Minimise the risk of burn injuries,
iii. Minimise the chance of heat exhaustion,
iv. Should be light and loose fitting,
v. Should be well ventilated and allow sweat evaporation.
vi. Should allow evaporation of 1–2 Litres of sweat/hr
vii. Should maintain a thermal equilibrium and comfort in a wide range of fire intensity,
climatic conditions and duration of work.

4. Fire Protective Clothing (PPC) types – Approach, Proximity and Entry Suits
Firefighters clothing referring to firefighter is defined as the coat, pant, or coverall elements of the
protective assembly designed to provide maximum protection.
Fire Aluminised suit is a heat-reflecting metallic finished fabric, used in outer layer of firefighting
applications. Aluminised fire suit are designed for rescue operations and places at a temperature
ranging 316℃ to 1060℃ . The outer layer of these suits being aluminized helps to reflect about
90% heat.
There are three basic types of aluminized suits:
a) Approach suit
b) Proximity suit:
c) Entry suit:

6. Features for aluminised suits are:
Overall: An Overall is one piece suit or 2 pc. Jacket & trouser having Zipper & Stud fastner with or
without Pouch on back to accommodate breathing apparatus.
Hood: It houses a fibre glass helmet for firemen as per IS-2745. Two elastisized straps to cover well below
the shoulders. Hood has the visor consisting of curved plain poly carbonate & outer layer of thin
transparent mica
Pants : High Waist design with 2" wide adjustable suspenders and adjustable straps on leg bottoms.
Gloves: 35 cms long five fingered type Gloves having for better securing at wrist.
Boots: Boots are made of upper layer of aluminised glass fibre fabric & inner lining of high quality leather,
with heavy duty zipper covered with aluminised fabric flap with extra stud for double protection.

7. a) Approach suit: Approach suit used for work in the general area of high temperatures such as steel mills and
smelting facilities.
Maximum heat protection is about 93 °C. Total weight shall be less than 3.2 kgs/set
Applications: It helps the fireman to come within a few metres of the fire. It protects the fireman from
radiant heat and helps him to approach the fire safely.
There are three basic types of aluminized suits:
a) Approach suit
b) Proximity suit:
c) Entry suit:

8. b) Proximity suit: Fire Proximity Suit is made out of aluminized glass fibre fabric with mirror
type having 90% reflection of heat as a outer layer and with woolen fabric lining.
Applications: Proximity suit used for Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF). Maximum heat
protection is about 260 °C. This suit enables the firefighter to work very close of the flames. By
wearing this suit the firemen cannot enter the flames but he can reach very near to the scene of the fire for
rescue operations and fire fighting operations.
Total weight shall be less than 10 Kgs.

9. c) Entry suit: Entry suit used for entry into extreme heat and situations requiring protection from
total flame engulfment. Maximum heat protection is about 1,093 °C for short duration and
radiant heat up to 816 °C.
Fire Entry Suits are designed for maximum personnel fire protection. They can be worn in rescue action
requires passage through a fire zone. The suits are highly engineered to support the most extreme
conditions with multi layers of insulation and fully insulated hood, mitts, boots, and sole
Weight of suit: 28 kgs.
Application:The Fire Entry Suit is a highly insulated suit designed for entry into extreme fires in Oil
Airports and other installations where contact temperatures can reach up to 1093℃. These Suits are
for rescue operations in an area of intense heat, fire, steam, hot liquid by fire fighters in industries like
Petrochemical plants.

10. BREATHING APPARATUS
The human body needs a constant supply of oxygen in order to survive. Oxygen is a part of air and
the body normally gets this from atmosphere. When at rest, its requirements are comparatively low
and air is inhaled and exhaled by the lungs with the breathing movements at the rate of about 15 to
18 times per minutes. When more energy is exerted, either through work or nervous excitement, the
breathing rate is higher. It probable is and may be as much as 30 times a minute. The air, which is
drawn into the lungs, consists of three principal gases in the following proportion by volume:
Personal protective equipment, which includes BA, should only be used where other control measures are
not able to ensure the safety of firefighters so far as is reasonably practicable.
BA enables firefighters to breathe safely in otherwise irrespirable / Poisonous atmospheres

11. • A breathing apparatus delivers breathable air from an independent source to
the wearer, in the case of a self contained breathing apparatus this source of
air is cylinders which are carried by the wearer
What is an SCBA?
11

12. • An SCBA provides breathable air in
environments which are immediately
dangerous to life or health, such as
oxygen deficient atmospheres. As
the units are positive pressure they
also offer a high protection factor
and are therefore suitable for use in
highly toxic environments.
What is an SCBA?
12

13. • An SCBA allows the user freedom of movement by allowing them to
operate independently from a remote air source such as a compressor
What is an SCBA?
13

14. Definitions:
A self-contained breathing apparatus, or SCBA, sometimes referred to as a compressed
air breathing apparatus(CABA), or simply breathing apparatus(BA), is a device worn by
rescue workers, firefighters, and others to provide breathable air in an "Immediately
Dangerous to Life or Health" atmosphere (IDLH).

15. The Respiratory Cycle
The body must draw air into the lungs, hold for a sufficient time for oxygen required to be
absorbed, and then breathe out. This process is known as respiration and consists of two
spontaneous action, inhalation (breathing in) and exhalation (breathing out).
The inhalation is done through a muscular effort, which raises ribs and lowers diaphragm, thus
enlarging the chest cavity and creating partial vacuum, which causes air to enter. Exhalation normally
needs no effort, because when breath is released, the ribs fall and diaphragm rises automatically.

16. An increase in the amount of oxygen needed may also be due to the obstruction of the air
passage, emotional excitement etc. It also makes some people faint on hearing bad news, the
shock of which causes a sudden demand for more oxygen than is immediately available. Since
nervous excitement leads to the increase of the breathing rate automatically, it is highly
important that fire fighters are emotionally stable so that the sudden and abnormal demands
on any breathing apparatus they may be wearing are reduced to a minimum.
Breathing under varying degree of effort

17. Oxygen deficiency
The oxygen deficiency will result in breathing difficulty and therefore we should know the safety
level of oxygen at different percentages.

18. Automatic Distress Signal Unit / Distress signal unit / Personal Alert Safety System: PASS device
(Personal Alert Safety System) also known as a ‘Distress Signal Unit (DSU)’ or ADSU (Automatic
Distress Signal Unit), is a personal safety device used primarily by firefighters entering a hazardous
(IDLH) environment such as a burning building. The PASS device is normally used in conjunction with
breathing apparatus; it is a small, battery powered device attached to the self-contained breathing
apparatus(SCBA) harness which enables the firefighter to summon help by activating a loud, piercing
electronic bleeper.

19. Types of Breathing Apparatus are:
i. Compressed Air or Self contained Breathing Apparatus (CABA or SCBA)
ii. Emergency Life Support (Saving) Apparatus (ELSA)
iii. Forced Breathing Apparatus (FBA)
Self contained Breathing Apparatus: A device that provides compressed air for breathing in hazardous
breathing environments . It is used for example, by rescue personnel. The CABA is ideal for use when
working in environments where fire and smoke, toxic gases or a lack of oxygen are present.
Emergency Life Support Apparatus (ELSA): An emergency life support apparatus (ELSA) is a type of
breathing apparatus used in an emergency situation to escape from a confined space or building
following a fire, chemical accident or explosion. ELSA provides a constant flow of breathable air to the user
for about 10 to 15 minutes.
Forced Breathing Apparatus: A device that facilitates breathing in cases of respiratory failure.

20. Body parts and Uses of SCBA
SCBA provides complete respiratory protection to the wearer who breathes independently from
the supply carried on his back.
The carrying system is designed to follow the contours of the back, ensuring equal weight
distribution of the apparatus on the hips, therefore reducing the risk of back strain. The back plate is
constructed of a tough fire resistant, antistatic, chemical / impact resistant thermoplastic. The harness
consists of flame retardant webbing, with adjustable shoulder straps and waist belt. The carrying
system incorporates an adjustable cylinder strap, which accommodate cylinders of all sizes.

21. Body Parts of SCBA
i. Cylinder: It consists of a single cylinder with a capacity of 1800 Litres of air at 200 bars pressure
when fully charged. Cylinders are made of alloy steel and are attached to a carrying plate or
frame and secured to the wearer’s back with a harness.
ii. Harness: It includes shoulder straps, waist straps etc. The harness is so designed that it will enable
the wearer to lower the apparatus quickly and easily without others help.

22. iii. Pressure Gauge: Breathing apparatus must be fitted with a pressure gauge calibrated in bars to
indicate the volume of the air in the cylinder. The gauge is placed in the front side of the wearer so as
to read to the pressure easily.
iv. Demand Valve: The demand valve is the one that supplies the air to the wearer when inhaling.
This provides a stable air ,which is extremely silent, under various working conditions.

23. v. Face Mask: Facemasks vary slightly varies between manufacturers but all have full face mask of
superior quality sealing , five point harness, wide view replaceable visor, speech diaphragm, self de-
misting facility, inhalation and exhalation valves.
Face mask consists of:
Visor
Head Harness
Exhalation valve
Speech diaphragm
Demand valve

24. vi. Warning Whistle: The whistle blows when the pressure comes down to 50 to 48 bars which
indicates that the volume of the air remaining in the cylinder is enough only for 7 minutes
breathing. It gives notice the wearer to go out from the contaminated atmosphere immediately

25. Uses of SCBA
SCBA can be used under the following situations:
a) Toxic atmosphere
b) Rescue operations
c) Under ground work
d) Processing of tanks
e) Firefighting operations.

26. Instructions for using SCBA
Instructions for using Breathing Apparatus are:
a) Check BA for any damages.
b) Check the tightness of the valve, nuts etc.
c) Check the pressure of the cylinder (200 bars)
d) Wear on the apparatus and adjust the shoulder straps to
support it comfortably on the back.
e) Wear the facemask and adjust the harness straps.
F) Inhale and exhale deeply 2 or 3 times to make sure that that
air flows freely from the demand valve.
g) Make sure that exhaling and inhaling valves are functioning
properly.
h) The wearer must examine his pressure gauge occasionally to
make sure that air pressure is sufficient.
i) On listening to the warning whistle leave the contaminated
atmosphere immediately.

27. Care and maintenance of SCBA
It is essential that everyone who is required to wear a BA set is properly trained and thoroughly
understands the operations procedures. The care and maintenance of all CABA is relatively
simple.
Dismantling, assembling, testing and renewal of the parts must be done in accordance with the
manufacturer’s specifications and recommendations. For each type of apparatus the following
points should be followed during periodical maintenance:
i. After every usage, the apparatus should be cleaned as necessary.
ii. The facemask and breathing tube where provided must be washed and disinfected. The
whole apparatus has to be thoroughly dried before re-assembling,
iii. If the cylinder pressure is lower than 80% of the maximum charge pressure, the cylinder
has to be replaced by a fully charged one,
iv. Washers or other parts, which are found defective during tests, must be renewed or
replaced,
v. Excessive force should not be employed while tightening nuts, as this may damage the
thread.

28. Life line signals
Life line: means a line (as a rope) used for saving or preserving life and used to keep contact
with a person in a dangerous or potentially dangerous situation.
Life line signals: Meaning - The means of communication developed between the
competent person(s) entering the confined space and the attendant, with the pre-
arranged and agreed set of signals to transfer information mutually and
understanding the emergency situations through the lifelines are known as “Life Line
Signals”
.

29. Each breathing apparatus should be provided with a flexible fireproof lifeline, as per approved testing
standards with a length of at least 30 m, capable of being attached by means of a snap hook to the
harness of the apparatus, or to a separate safety belt, in order to prevent the breathing apparatus
becoming detached when the lifeline is operated.
Care should be taken to ensure that the lifeline is free from knots, as their presence may
seriously reduce the strength of the line under load.

30. Anyone working in a confined space must be constantly alert for any changing conditions within the
confined space. In the event of an alarm from monitoring equipment or any other indication of
danger, workers should immediately leave the confined space. Another worker, the attendant (also
known as the Safety Watch or Standby), is posted outside the confined space and continuously
monitors the workers inside the confined space.
Instructions should include details of the signals to be used between the fire fighting party and the wearer
of the breathing apparatus. All members of fire fighting parties should be thoroughly familiar with the
signals. The following Line-Hand signals to be used in the event of an emergency