Every time the alarm sounds, emergency responders put their lives on the line to protect others. It’s always been a dangerous job and the hazards continue to intensify.
Heat stress—a major hazard
Gear should prevent heat penetration to allow firefighters enough time to safely escape from an emergency while also managing the risks from heat stress, which is a major cause of firefighter deaths. With its higher air permeability, Nomex® helps reduce heat stress.
1 R.F. Fahy, J.T. Petrillo and J.L. Molis, “Firefighter Fatalities in the US—2019,” National Fire Protection Association: Quincy, MA, 2020.
Balancing protection and comfort—a critical concern
Firefighter gear must stand up to all the thermal hazards firefighters face while also helping them to get the job done with the least amount of heat stress and without getting in the way of mobility or situational awareness. With its inherent heat and flame resistance and lightweight strength, Nomex® fiber provides low weight and high thermal protection.
Harmful particulates— an unseen threat
A room filled with modern furnishings reaches flashover in just 3 minutes and 40 seconds compared to 29 minutes and 25 seconds for a “legacy” room. These modern rooms not only reach flashover much faster; they release a multitude of toxic substances that are carried by the smoke.3
Over time, exposure to these harmful particulates can lead to coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer and respiratory diseases.4 With its superior particle barrier performance, Nomex® Nano Flex helps make products like firefighter hoods more protective against harmful particulates.
2 Data from the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) for time period of January 1, 2002, to March 31, 2017, cited at https://firefightercancersupport.org/resources/faq
4 International Agency for Research on Cancer, (2019) List of Classifications, Volumes 1-123, World Health Organization
From the first alarm to the all-clear signal, DuPont provides emergency responders solutions for industry-leading PPE that meet or exceed global standards—providing those who put their lives on the line with the protection they deserve.
International leaders in firefighting discuss challenges firefighters are facing around the world.
What’s underneath the turnout gear matters. Stationwear made with Nomex® fiber is inherently flame resistant and incredibly lightweight for the ideal combination of comfort and durability.
From the first alarm until the fire is out, the inherent heat and flame resistance of Nomex® provides the superior on-the-job protection that every firefighter deserves.
From brush pants to jumpsuits, Nomex® provides comfortable, flexible and superior thermal protection for the brave firefighters who take on the most extreme wildfires.
DuPont™ Thermo-Man® is the world’s most advanced life-size thermal burn evaluation system. Our Thermo-Man® units use state-of-the-art technology to demonstrate the durability and superior flame resistance Nomex® delivers compared to other FR solutions.
Tyvek® and Tychem® provide lightweight, comfortable protective coveralls that deliver superior protection against a range of hazards without compromising mobility.
As the world seeks to understand and look for ways to further protect themselves and meet regional requirements associated with COVID-19, emergency responders have special considerations to keep in mind when it comes to fire-resistant (FR) face masks, hoods and other face coverings.
At DuPont, we’re committed to providing materials for FR PPE that can help provide essential workers with the protection they need to do their jobs safely, while adhering to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.
From FR apparel to cut resistant gloves and sleeves to chemical protective coveralls, find the right PPE for the hazards you face at SafeSPEC™.