United States Department of Agriculture Fire Forest Service Technology & Development Program
August 1993
Tech Tips 5100 9351 2340–MTDC New Standards for Wildland Firefighting Protective Clothing and Equipment Dick Mangan, Program Leader
At its May 1993 annual meeting, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) approved newly developed standards on protective clothing and equipment for wildland firefighting (NFPA 1977-1993 edition). This new NFPA standard is the first to specifically address the wildland firefighter. It results from a 4-year effort to develop minimum design and performance criteria and testing methods for evaluating the thermal protection of flame-resistant clothing without inducing extraordinary heat load. Items covered by the NFPA 1977 standard include the protective helmet (hardhat), protective clothing (shirt, trousers, and one- piece coverall), footwear, gloves, and fire shelter.
The subcommittee that recommended the draft standards to the NFPA Technical Committee on Fire Service Protective Clothing and Equipment represented a broad cross-section of agencies, organizations, and manufacturers interested in wildland fire safety. USDA Forest Service representation included fire personnel from both the West and Thermal protective clothing and equipment. South, as well as technical specialists from the Missoula Technology and were included for clothing items, because MTDC’s Development Center (MTDC) in Montana. State extensive study of fire entrapment shows that loose- Forestry organization from the Northeast and West, fitting clothing is oftentimes just as important as the testing laboratories, regulatory agencies, flame-resistance of materials in preventing serious labor unions, manufacturers, and suppliers also burn injuries. Wearing an oversized protective served on the subcommittee. garment of the same nominal waist size as normal workwear is the best way to ensure the loose fit that is The standards for clothing, protective helmet, boots a critical safety feature of these garments. and gloves generally specify performance testing requirements. Some design criteria such as sizing
For additional Information contact: Dick Mangan, Program Leader, Missoula Technology & Development Center, Bldg. 1, Fort Missoula, Missoula, MT 59801 Phone: 406-329-3849; FTS: 585-3849; FAX: 406-329-3719; DG–D.Mangan:R01A 1 The fire shelter, liner, and carrying case are made in Thicker T-shirt knit fabrics generally provide the accordance with design specifications rather than firefighter with better protection from radiant heat performance specifications. This is necessary than thinner woven fabrics used in boxer shorts. because of the critical safety character of the shelter. Undergarments can reduce the extent of a burn injury Also, the history of fire shelter use documents that by 15 percent and they have the capacity to absorb even minor changes in materials and design can moisture and transport it away from the body to significantly reduce the protective properties or enhance evaporative cooling during periods of heavy increase deployment times. Shelters must perform work. MTDC experience has shown that 100 percent ideally in a violent environment if the firefighter is to cotton is best for all underclothing, and that 100 survive. percent cotton, 100 percent wool, or 100 percent PBI (or a high percent blend of these fibers) are best for socks.
Wildland fire clothing designed by the MTDC and sold through the GSA Fire Equipment Catalog was used as the basis for establishing the protective levels specified in the new standard, but will not be officially labeled as “NFPA Compliant” at this time. There are very specific labeling and third-party certification requirements that must be met before the term “NFPA Compliant” may be used. MTDC and GSA will be moving toward full compliance as specifications for new contracts are updated.
The effective date for the standard was June 18, 1993. There is no provision to “grandfather” existing personal protective equipment under the NFPA 1977 standard. Organizations that are using Firefighter in a deployed fire shelter. personal protective equipment that does not meet NFPA 1977 Respiratory protective devices were not addressed in protective standards may wish to develop plans to this standard because the committee was unable to acquire clothing to that level as soon as feasible. quantify questions of the health hazards of smoke in a wildland setting. As on-going studies better define the Copies of the new NFPA 1977 standard may be hazards of smoke and the appropriate protective ordered from the National Fire Protection Association equipment, the standards will be updated on an interim at (800) 344-3555. basis or will be included in the next scheduled update. Non-Federal fire organizations interested in obtaining Undergarments, while an essential component of the a list of the wildland fire personal protective equipment protective clothing ensemble, were not covered in available through the GSA Fire Equipment Catalog this standard. They enhance the thermal protective should contact their State Forester’s Office for specific performance by providing an additional layer of fabric information. and air between the radiant heat source and the skin.
The USDA Forest Service, has developed this information for the use of trade, firm, or corporation names in this publication is for the guidance of its employees, its contractors, and its cooperating Federal information and convenience of the reader and does not constitute and State agencies, and is not responsible for the interpretation or an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture of any product use of this information by anyone except its own employees. The or service to the exclusion of others that may be suitable. 2