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First of all, what is a firefighter turnout gear? Firefighter turnout gear also known as a "bunker gear" is the term used by firefighters to describe the different protective clothing they use when fighting a fire. The term bunker gear is derived from the fact that fire fighter will keep their boots, trousers and jackets are commonly stored at the "bunk". In the UK and Ireland they use the term Fire Kit, while in Hong Kong they call it the Incident Gear. Later on, the term turnout gear is then adapted.
In the early days of fire fighting around the mid 19th century, the firefighters would use trousers and red shirt made of wool. Wool is the choice of material to ward off the heat from fire flames and keep the firefighter warm during the winter. Rubber slickers or rubber coats that extend to the fire fighters mid thigh are worn over trousers and shirt. They will also use a helmet and their own leather gloves and leather boots. Later on, the leather boots were replaced with rubber boots mostly just above the knees but some of these rubber boots can be worn up to the hips just like modern waders and this was termed three-quarter boots. This ensemble later on was changed to a combination of pants with suspenders, jacket and shorter boots made of rubber or leather.
After the second world war, various organizations have pushed the standardization of turnout gears to be implemented. This issue required all fire departments to adhere to the minimum standard design, performance safety testing and certificates were required for all components of the gear. Some of this standards includes a first layer withstanding 500 ° F for five minutes. The second layer that prevents moisture from penetrating the gear. The third layer should provide insulation from high levels of heat.
By the 1980s, a new gear was introduced this is composed of three layers of materials. The first outer layer material can withstand 1,200 ° F before breaking down. The second layer is a moisture releasing material from within the gear. The third material is a synthetic layer that is fire resistant that can withstand fire for seven seconds. Just enough time for the fire fighter to get to safety. In addition to all that, once out of the fire this material will self extinguish. After this is introduced all American fire houses have adapted this as their standards for their turnout gears.
This has been the start of the Modern Firefighting Era. And now on the 20th century, modern turnout jackets and pants are made of fire resistant fabrics (from Aramids like Nomex or Kevlar) and polybenzimidazole (PBI) fibers. These multi layer turnout gears are now equipped with (SCBA) self-contained breathing apparatus, (PASS) Personal Alert Safety System device, thermal imaging cameras and modern communications equipments that made it more feasible and survivable to enter burning buildings.
Looking back, we have come so far with the help of technology. We can only hope that this can further develop since a firefighter turnout gear can be a lifeline for our firefighters.
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Source by Tyler Burns