Fire-Dex has collaborated with RTI International (RTI), a nonprofit, independent third-party testing laboratory, to test the efficacy of particulate barriers.
As firefighters grow more concerned about dangerous contaminants on the fireground, many have turned to particulate barriers; an optional add-on to turnouts that provide an extra coat layer with particulate blocking technology at the interface between the jacket and pants.
While particulate barriers can offer additional protection, they make turnout coats much less breathable. When turnouts are less breathable, they can trap heat inside and don’t allow your sweat to evaporate and cool down your body. That contributes to overexertion and heat stress.
RTI International conducted specialized testing at their particulate research facility to test the particulate-blocking efficacy of a properly donned self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) compared to an additional particulate barrier.
Fire-Dex wanted to test if engaged SCBA straps could provide the same levels of protection as particulate barriers. This is because of the belief that SCBA straps at the waist are tight enough that they would provide sufficient sealing to keep out particulates at the coat/pant interface.
RTI performed three tests, using a similar process as the FAST (Feasibility and Acceptability of Scalable Tests) study. For each test, the tester donned full head-to-toe Fire-Dex PPE:
The only difference between each test was a particulate barrier or an SCBA:
The tester entered a room filled with a precise level of particulates and performed a series of actions (e.g., squatting, lifting arms, walking) for two 10-minute cycles. The tester exited the chamber and carefully doffed the equipment.
To measure the results, researchers used a special camera to analyze the amount of particulate matter on the tester’s skin after doffing their gear.
They found that when an SCBA is properly worn and secured, a particulate barrier does not offer any additional protection against particulates on the torso compared to gear without a particulate barrier. This is because the SCBA straps tighten the turnout coat, creating a sealing effect.
The results also showed that particulate-blocking hoods, as well as particulate barriers in turnout pants, provide increased protection.
Beyond the particulate barrier finding, the test also demonstrated the efficacy of a particulate blocking hood.
On each test, there was virtually no contamination found on the tester’s head and neck area, clearly showing the value of a particulate-blocking hood.
The test also showed that the AeroVent Technology in AeroFlex turnout gear provides particulate blocking capabilities. These vents use design techniques and materials, functioning as one-way vents that release hot air from inside your turnouts and prevent particulates from getting in.
Breathable fabric lets that hot air out and particulate-blocking technology stops contaminants from entering.
Third-party testing demonstrates that an engaged SCBA can provide similar protection to a particulate barrier in the pant/jacket interface. While the test demonstrated the benefits of extra particulate blocking in turnout pants, it showed that they may not provide any additional protection in the coat.
Turnout coats cover the core of your body, making increased breathability crucial. Core body temperature increases are associated with significant health issues, from hearing issues to cognitive decline.
Particulate barriers affect the natural evaporative cooling process, where fresh air can replace the hot, saturated air trapped in turnouts. Without the barrier, this process is much more efficient and sweat evaporates more quickly.
In general, SCBAs are always worn on structural calls where particulate blocking is often used. That means the greatest protection against particulates isn’t an added option, but a tool that firefighters already use every day.
Conclusively, particulate protection at the jacket/pant interface can be achieved with gear that’s already being worn on structural calls—without the need of an extra layer.
Fire-Dex has partnered with RTI International to test the efficacy of particulate barriers as a result of rising concerns regarding contaminants on the fireground and the breathability of turnout coats.
Source: According to a recent blog-post by Fire-Dex.
