Fire Protective Clothing: Types, Materials and Care for Responders

Firefighters walk towards heat that would quickly burn unprotected skin. What stands between them and that heat is their protective clothing, worn as a full set and looked after properly. This page explains what the different garments do, what they are made of and how to keep them working.

What the clothing protects against

Radiant heat and direct flame, hot water and steam, embers, soot and fine particles, and chemicals in smoke and run-off water. Good fire clothing has to keep all of that out while letting the wearer move, work hard and not overheat.

Main types of fire protective clothing

• Structural firefighting gear, called turnout or bunker gear in many countries, is for fires in buildings.
• Proximity suits are for very high radiant heat, such as industrial and aircraft fires.
• Forest and grass fire gear, called wildland gear abroad, is for long outdoor operations.

They are not interchangeable. Choose by the fires your team actually faces.

Turnout gear

The full set is a coat, trousers, helmet, gloves and boots. The outer shell is made of flame-resistant fibres such as Nomex or PBI, which stand up to direct flame. Inside are a moisture barrier and a thermal lining that slow the heat on its way to your skin. The layers work together, so damage to one weakens the whole set.

Proximity suits

Proximity suits have an aluminised outer layer that reflects radiant heat. They are used close to very hot fires in industry and at aircraft fires. The suit comes with a full hood, gloves and boots so that no skin is left exposed.

Forest and grass fire gear

Crews fighting forest fires work outdoors for hours and often walk long distances. Their flame-resistant shirts and trousers, often made of Nomex, are lighter than turnout gear and are worn with a helmet, gloves and boots. The aim is protection from radiant heat and flame while keeping the wearer mobile and cool enough to keep going.

Helmets and the rest of the kit

A structural fire helmet has a rigid shell and an inner harness to absorb blows, with a face shield against debris and radiant heat. Fire clothing is also worn with breathing apparatus, eye protection and hearing protection. Check that the hood, collar, mask and helmet overlap without gaps, and that the coat and trousers still overlap when you bend and reach.

Thermal insulation

The inner layers, made of aramid fibres such as Nomex, or PBI, trap air and slow heat down. No gear makes you heat-proof. If you feel heat coming through, pull back.

Moisture barrier

Between the shell and the lining sits a moisture barrier, usually a PTFE membrane such as Gore-Tex. It stops water and other liquids soaking through. Wet insulation passes heat much faster and can cause steam burns, so a damaged moisture barrier is a serious fault.

Breathability and heat stress

Firefighting is hard physical work, and the layers that keep heat out also keep your body heat in. Breathable fabrics and vents help. Heat stress can overcome a firefighter even when the fire does not, especially in an Indian summer. Plan rest and water breaks, and watch each other for dizziness, cramps and confusion.

Cleaning and inspection

• Inspect gear after every incident for tears, burns, worn reflective tape and damage to the moisture barrier.
• Clean it as the maker says. Soot and chemicals left on gear reduce its protection and stay on your skin.
• Never take dirty gear home or wash it with family clothes.
• Bag contaminated gear and keep it out of rest rooms and living areas.
• Store clean gear dry and out of direct sun.

Training

Everyone should practise putting on the full set quickly and correctly, know what their gear will and will not protect against, and know how to take off contaminated gear without getting soot on their skin.

Newer materials

Fabrics keep improving, with better flame resistance, lighter weight and better breathability. New gear is an improvement only if it fits your crew, suits your fires and comes with clear care instructions from the maker.

If something goes wrong

If your gear is soaked or damaged, pull back and tell your officer. Get anyone with heat stress out of their gear in a cool place, and give them water if they are alert. For a burn: Cool the burn under cool, clean running water for 20 minutes. Even 10 minutes helps if that’s all you can manage. No ice, toothpaste, oil or butter. Call 108 or 112 for a serious burn or collapse.

After your next call-out, lay your gear out and check each layer before you hang it up. A torn lining found at the station is far better than one found inside a fire.