Firefighter Personal Protective Equipment (IFSTA) Flashcards
Two types of safety equipment
- PPE
- Respiratory protection
PPE usually consists of ___
- Respiratory protection equipment
- PASS
- Helmets, coats, trousers, boots, protective gloves, and protective hoods
- Eye protection
- Hearing protection
PASS
Personal Alert Safety System
Types of PPE
- Station and work uniforms
- Structural firefighting protective clothing
- Wildland firefighting protective clothing
- Roadway operations protective clothing
- Emergency medical protective clothing
- Special protective clothing such as chemical protective clothing
Two basic functions of station and work uniforms
- ID the wearer as a member of the organization
- Provide a layer of protection against direct flame contact
Firefighters should not wear clothing made of non-fire-resistant synthetic materials while on duty or under PPE because ___
These materials can melt when heated and stick to skin, causing serious burns
Types of non-fire-resistant synthetic materials include ___
- Nylon
- Polyester
- Iron-on patches
- Transfer decals
All station and work uniforms should meet ___ requirements
NFPA 1975
This standard provides the minimum requirements for work wear that is functional, will not contribute to firefighter injury, and will not reduce the effectiveness of outer PPE
NFPA 1975
Garments not addressed in NFPA 1975
Underwear
Underwear recommended
100% cotton
NFPA 1975 garments have a ___ stating their compliance certification
Permanently attached label
While clothing certified NFPA 1975 compliant is designed for fire resistance, it is not designed for ___
Firefighting operations
Some station and work uniforms are dual certified at both ___
Work uniforms and wildland protective clothing
Dual certified uniforms will always carry the ___
Appropriate certification labels
Required footwear when working around the station
Safety boots or shoes
Safety boots or shoes usually have ___
Steel toes, puncture-resistant soles, or special inserts
Do not wear station footwear during emergency operations because they might ___
Contaminate living quarters with potentially hazardous substances when you return to the station
Do not wash uniforms in ___
Personal washing machines or at public laundromats
Contaminated uniforms must be laundered at ___
The fire station or by a contractor
PPE design and construction standard
NFPA 1971 and NFPA 1500
PPE care and maintenance standard
NFPA 1851
Wildland firefighting protective clothing standard
NFPA 1977
SCBA standard
NFPA 1981
PASS device standard
NFPA 1982
Safety glasses standard
ANSI Standard Z87.1
Goggles for wildland firefighting standard
ANSI Standard Z87.1
All PPE designed for structural and proximity firefighting must meet the requirements of ___
NFPA 1971
Activities required for rescue, fire suppression, and property conservation at fire that produce high radiant, conductive, or convective heat; includes aircraft, hazmat transportation, and storage tank fires
Proximity fire fighting
NFPA 1971 addresses the requirements for ___
- Helmets
- Trousers
- Eye protection
- Protective hoods
- Coats
- Boots
- Protective gloves
NFPA 1971 requires that all components must include a ___ that shows compliance with the standard
Permanent label
NFPA 1971 certification labels must include ___
- Manufacturer’s name, ID, or designation
- Country of manufacture
- Month and year of manufacture
- Size or size range
- Footwear size and width
- Manufacturer’s address
- Manufacturer’s lot or serial number
- Model name, number, or design
- Principal materials of construction
- Cleaning precautions
PPE components must be ___ with each other to provide the level of protection intended by the NFPA standard
Compatible
Changing, adding, or removing components from the PPE may ___
- Endanger your life
- Void the manufacturer’s warranty
- Affect your worker’s comp benefits
Structural PPE is designed to ___
- Cover all portions of your skin when you are reaching, bending, or moving
- Prevent heat transfer from the fire to your body
The usual temperature limit for structural firefighting PPE
Somewhere above 400°F
The time until the protective clothing reaches a dangerous absorption limit varies upon the ___
Heat transfer rate
During heat exposure, the protective clothing ___
Absorbs the heat
Since protective clothing ___, it can take longer than expected to cool
Absorbs and stores heat
You may experience contact burns or heat stress even after leaving the heated environment if you do not follow rehab protocols that ___
Allow enough time for the clothing to cool
How does structural firefighting PPE inhibit cooling?
Traps body heat and moisture inside the clothing barriers, not allowing sweat to cool you
Because of the trapped body heat in PPE, ___ may significantly increase
- Breathing and heartrate
- Core temp
- Skin temp
- Physiological stress
Benefits a helmet provides during structural fire fighting operations
- Preventing heated or scalding water and embers from reaching the ears and neck
- Protecting the head from impact injuries caused by objects or falls
- Providing protection from heat and cold
Shell color of the helmet indicates the ___
Firefighter’s rank
Markings on the helmet indicate ___
The unit
Removable ID labels on the helmet indicate ___
Accountability
Proper helmet wear ___
Chin strap secured, ear flaps down, ratchet at the back tightened
Forms of eye protection
- SCBA facepieces
- Helmet-mounted faceshields
- Goggles
- Safety glasses
Faceshields do not provide adequate protection from ___ and should be used ___
- Flying particles or splashes
- With a primary form of eye protection
Requires that goggles or other appropriate primary eye protection be worn when participating in operations where protection from flying particles or chemical splashes is necessary
NFPA 1500
During fire fighting operations, your primary eye protection is your ___
SCBA facepiece
Helmets must come equipped with ___
Faceshields or goggles
Situations where you will need eye protection when respiratory protection is not required
- Emergency medical responses where exposure to body fluids is possible
- Vehicle extrication operations
- Industrial occupancy inspections
- Station maintenance
Prescription safety glasses must have frames and lenses that ___
Meet ANSI standards for safety glasses
Fire-resistant fabric covering that protect your ears, neck, and face from exposure to heat, embers, and debris
Protective hoods
Protective hoods cover areas that may not be protected by the ___
SCBA
The protective hood’s face opening has an ___
Elastic edge that fits tightly to the SCBA facepiece
Hoods are available with ___
Long or short skirts
Three components of firefighting protective coats
- Outer shell
- Moisture barrier
- Thermal barrier
Function of the barriers in the firefighting protective coats
- Absorb heat and trap insulating air that prevents heat transfer from the fire to your body
- Limited protection from:
- Direct flame contact
- Hot water
- Steam
- Cold temps
- Other environmental hazards
Protective coat required design features
- Retroreflective trim
- Wristlets
- Collar
- Closure system
- Drag rescue device
DRD
Drag rescue device
Protects the wrist from water, embers, and other debris. Keeps coat sleeves from riding up when reaching
Wristlets
Make the coat more visible at night or in low light conditons
Retroreflective trim
The collar must be ___
Turned up and under the helmet ear flap
Harness and hand loop at the back of the neck that enables a rescuer to grab and drag a downed firefighter
DRD
Coats typically contain reinforcement in what areas?
- High compression areas, such as the shoulders
- Areas prone to wear, such as the elbows
Protective trousers are constructed from ___
The same fabric, moisture barrier, and thermal layering used in protective coats
___ hold up the trousers
Heavy-duty suspenders
Protect hands and wrists from heat, steam, or cold penetration, and resist cuts, punctures, and liquid absorption
Protective gloves
Gloves must allow ___
Enough dexterity and tactile feel for you to perform your job effectively
Properly worn, the gloves ___
Cover the wristlet of the protective coat to form a complete seal
Firefighting boots must protect the foot, ankle, and lower leg from ___
- Puncture wounds to the sole
- Crushing wounds to the toes and instep
- Scalding water or contaminated liquids
- Burns from embers and debris
Firefighting boots have a ___ inner sole and a ___ toe cap
- Steel
- Steel or reinforced
___ are required in the shell of the firefighting boots
Thermal, physical, and moisture barriers
Boot tops fit inside the ___
Trouser legs
Emit a loud alarm to alert other personnel that a firefighter is in danger
PASS
The PASS alarm activates when the user is motionless for more than ___
30 seconds
The PASS alarm volume and duration
At least 95 dBA for at least 1 hour
PASS devices are useful in ___
- Total darkness
- Dense smoke
- Confined spaces
PASS devices have at least three settings ___
- Off
- Alarm
- Sensing
The pre-alarm tone is intended to ___
Prevent false alarms
Requires hearing protection devices
NFPA 1500
When to wear hearing protection
- When riding on an apparatus where the noise exceeds 90 dBA
- When operating:
- Power tools
- Apparatus pump
- Generators
- PASS device tests
Most effective hearing protection method when riding on the apparatus
Intercom/ear protection systems
Hearing protection during firefighting prevents you from ___
- Communicating with other firefighters
- Hearing changes in fire behavior
- Hearing radio transmissions
- Hearing calls from trapped victims
Wildland PPE and equipment includes
- Gloves
- Goggles
- Jackets
- Trousers
- One-piece jumpsuits
- Long sleeve shirts
- Helmet
- Face/neck shrouds
- Footwear
- Fire shelter
- Load-carrying or load-bearing equipment
- Respiratory protection
- Chainsaw protection
Wild land gloves are made of ___
Leather or inherently flame-resistant materials
Contains the specifications for wildland firefighting PPE and equipment
NPFA 1977
Wildland gloves protect ___
The hand and wrist from sharp or hot objects, temp extremes, and scalding water
Wildland goggles protect ___
The eyes from ash, embers, dust, and other particulates
Wildland jackets are made of ___
High-strength, flame-resistant fabric, such as aramid or treated cotton. May have a thermal liner.
Wildland jacket cuffs must ___
Close snugly around the wrists
Wildland trouser leg cuffs must ___
Close securely around the boot tops
___ are worn under the wildland jackets
Long-sleeve shirts
Wildland footwear
Typically lace-up safety boots with lug or grip tread soles
Why are steel toes not recommended in wildland boots?
Absorb and retain heat
Fire-resistant aluminized fabric covers that protect the firefighter from convected and radiant heat
Fire shelter
Requires the use of a fire shelter
NFPA 1500
The design of the fire shelter must meet ___
USDA Forest Service specification 5100-606
Belt and suspender systems that distribute the weight of the wildland firefighter’s equipment
Load-carrying or load-bearing equipment
APR
Air purifying respirators
PAPR
Powered air purifying respirators
APR and PAPRs must be ___
NIOSH certified, NFPA approved
Chainsaw protection
Chaps, leggings, or protective trousers made of ballistic nylon fibers that protect the legs
What do wildland firefighter’s carry in their packs?
Fusees, extra food, water, clean socks, and other items
Pyrotechnic flare sometimes used in wildland firefighting to start controlled burns
Fusee
Wildland protective garments will not protect you from ___
Extreme heat
In the absence of full, wildland firefighting gear, the minimum PPE to participate in ground cover firefighting is ___
- Helmet with eye protection and neck shroud
- Flame retardant shirt and pants (or one-piece jumpsuit)
- Protective footwear (sturdy boots without steel toes)
- Gloves
- Fire shelter (in crush resistive case)
Best protection when working on a roadway
Be visible to motorists and to work behind a barrier formed by your apparatus
Reflective vests should meet ___
ANSI 107, Class 2 or 3 (ANSI 207 are also an option)
Requires all personnel at roadway incidents to wear high visibility vests
DOT regulations
Reflective vests must have ___
Reflective trim and a five-point breakaway fasteners at the shoulders, side, and waists to meet NFPA safety standards
Moisture in the shell and liner can ___
Transfer heat rapidly
Make sure the overlap between the coat and trousers is a minimum of ___
2” at the waist when you bend over at a 90° angle
Hydrocarbon contamination will reduce the ___ of your PPE
Fire resistance
How often to inspect PPE?
- At the start of your work shift
- After every use
- After washing, repair, or decontamination
- On a periodic basis
If your PPE requires only routine cleaning that will not cause the item to be removed from service, you should ___
Perform the cleaning yourself
If your PPE requires advanced cleaning or decontamination, repairs, or replacement, ___
Report this to your supervisor immediately
Who should perform the annual inspection on PPE?
A member of the department trained in advanced inspection requirements
The amount and type of contamination and whether or not the equipment must be removed from service determines the ___
Type of cleaning
___ defines the 4 types of cleaning for PPE
NFPA 1851
Four types of cleaning for PPE
- Routine cleaning
- Advanced cleaning
- Specialized cleaning
- Contract cleaning
Number of sets of structural firefighting gear recommended for issue to each firefighter by the NFPA
Two
Wearing uncontaminated PPE is a preventive measure against the risk of ___
Cancer later in life
___ cleaning does not require that the clothing be removed from service
Routine
The process for routine cleaning includes ___
- Brushing off loose debris with a broom or soft bristle brush
- Using a gentle spray of water to rinse off debris or soil
To remove heavy soil in PPE ___
Clean manually in a utility sink in the designated cleaning area at the station
When cleaning PPE, always wear ___
Appropriate gloves and eye protection
Advanced cleaning should be done by ___
Personnel trained in the care and cleaning of protective clothing
Advanced cleaning personnel should use ___
A washing machine dedicated to cleaning protective clothing that is designed to handle heavy loads
___ cleaning is required when clothing is contaminated with hazmat or body fluids that cannot be removed by routine or advanced cleaning
Specialized
Who may perform specialized cleaning?
A trained department member or an outside contractor
___ cleaning typically removes accumulated grime or contaminants
Contract
Contractors who perform specialized cleaning may include the ___
Manufacturer, manufacturer’s representative, or a certified vendor
PPE should not be stored where it can come in contact with ___
Vehicle exhausts
PPE that is carried in personal vehicles should be placed in ___
Closable garment bags to protect it from sunlight degradation
Damaged protective clothing must be removed ___
Immediately
Clothing damaged beyond repair must be ___
Removed from service and destroyed
Some damaged clothing may be marked ___
“for training use only” and used in training that does not involve fire
Inhalation of smoke and other products of combustion poses ___ health hazards
Short term, long term, and even fatal
Most effective way to protect your health
Wear appropriate respiratory protection
SCBA
Self Contained Breathing Apparatus
The use of an SCBA is a required skill for firefighters according to ____
NFPA 1001
Operations requiring SCBA protection include any activities that may take place in or near a ___
Potentially IDLH environment
IDLH
Immediately dangerous to life and health
Byproducts of combustion present during overhaul can cause ___
Long-term health risks such as cancer or respiratory disease
Two categories of respiratory protection equipment
- Atmosphere-supplying respirators
- Air-purifying respirators
ASRs
Atmosphere-supplying respirators
APRs
Air-purifying respirators
Provide breathable air when working in oxygen-deficient, toxic, or gas-filled atmospheres
ASRs
Only filter particulates out of the surrounding air
APRs
The primary type of respiratory protection that you will use in the fire service
ASR
Classifies atmospheres as IDLH
NFPA 1500 and OSHA
Before entering a potentially IDLH structure or area, you must ___
Don the correct level of PPE and respiratory protection
Common respiratory hazards
- Oxygen deficiency
- Elevated temperatures
- Particulate contaminates
- Gases and vapors
- Airborne pathogens
When oxygen concentrations fall below ___, the human body increases its respiratory rate
18%
As less oxygen reaches body tissues, ___ occurs
Hypoxia
Most common cause of oxygen-deficient atomospheres
Combustion