Water is the number one tool in the firefighter’s arsenal. However, water can also be harmful or even deadly in certain situations. Here are the facts about how water can affect your turnout gear and the dangers you could face.
Water Absorption Regulations and Current Standards
It is law that all outer shell fabrics in turnout gear maintain minimum water absorption standards. NFPA 1971 states that turnout gear must have no more than a 30% water absorption rate after five washes. However, the textile industry has made huge advances since that law was enacted. These days, there are durable water repellent products available that offer an amazing 1.2% water absorption rate after five washes. Why are water absorption rates so crucial when it comes to turnout gear and firefighter safety? There are a couple of reasons.
Weight
It might be surprising to learn that the top cause of firefighter deaths is heart attacks. Although there are many contributing factors, the weight of a firefighter’s gear is one aspect that needs attention. Firehouses all over the United States are looking for ways to reduce the weight firefighters must carry because it is crucial for reducing stress and heat exhaustion, which are two things that can lead to a heart attack.
When turnout gear becomes saturated, it will weigh exponentially more than dry gear. Remember that water is a heavy substance – it weighs eight pounds per gallon. That can amount to a lot of extra weight to carry around in an environment that is already hot and stressful.
Wet Gear Can Cause Burns
Water conducts heat much more quickly than air – 24 times faster, in fact. Have you ever burned yourself by using a hot potholder on a pan in the oven? The same principle applies to wet turnout gear, drastically increasing the chances that a firefighter will be burned. These burns are commonly either steam or compression burns. Durable water repellent finishes do not completely alleviate the chances of suffering steam and compression burns, but they will greatly reduce the chances of that happening.
These are only a couple of the reasons why durable water repellent finishes are so important. It’s recommended that you make sure your turnout gear is up to the latest standards in order for you to do your job in the safest way possible.
