To battle fires, fire fighters must be prepared to travel through other equally dangerous environments. They require gear designed for personal safety. Fire boots are an important part of a fire fighter's uniform. Proper foot protection allows for unrestrained movement in and around dangerous obstacles. When purchasing fire boots, it is important to look for key features to ensure personal protection.
There are three main types of fire boots: station boots, rubber boots and wildland boots. Station boots are intended for lighter duty, rubber boots for wet or hazardous material conditions and wildland boots for heavy-duty field work.
Fire boots must meet certain specifications in order to qualify for workplace safety. The American Society for Testing and Materials, in conjunction with the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, creates standards and requirements for all work gear. Ensuring foot gear meets the situation allows for timely rescue and disaster avoidance operations.
Impact resistance and compression resistance are two important features in fire boots. To comply with industry standards, fire boots must have a rating of either 50 or 75 in each of these two categories. Steel-toe and composite-toe caps are also important workplace safety standards. Steel-toe boots have a long history of workplace safety; composite-toe boots are a modern yet comparable alternative to steel. They are made of material such as polymer that equals the strength of steel, yet is up to 30 percent lighter. Although ideal for station work, steel-toe boots conduct heat and are not practical for wildland situations. An additional option in boots is a plate, constructed of either steel or composite material, to protect the remaining foot bones. Other important features to look for, especially in station work or urban-rescue situations, are electrical protection, puncture resistance and slip resistance.
Wildland boots are often placed in heat-intense situations. They must measure 8 inches in height and be constructed of melt-resistant materials. Since polyurethane does not handle high heat environments, stitched rubber lug soles with heat-resistant rubber outer soles are the best option for providing good support and protection from the heat.
Fire boots are designed to keep feet safe from occupational hazards. Without proper protection, fire fighter rescue operations are not successful. Industry standards help ensure that boots available on the market are designed for durability, even in the harshest conditions. Fire fighters must be prepared for flames, falling debris, liquid spills and electrical hazards. Knowing they have the best gear possible allows them to do their job without worry of repercussions.
