Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
FIGURE 14.50, cont'd
(5) Steel-toed insulated rubber boots with Vibram soles. These boots have handles at
their tops to help pull them on and come up to just below the knees. (6) Helmet, with goggles and department logo.
These helmets have a Velcro/buckle chinstrap, adjustable headband, and a protective cloth flap that hangs over
the collar, further protecting the neck and preventing embers from falling down the collar. (7) Goggles, attached
to helmet. Used for eye protection when not wearing breathing apparatus. (8) Radio with clip-on microphone.
These radios are waterproof and inherently safe (nonsparking) for use in explosive atmospheres if necessary.
(9) D-ring carabiner, used to clip additional equipment to the coat (not standard issue). (10) Flashlight. Department
jackets have custom loops to hold the flashlights at center chest. (11) Insulated leather gloves. (12) Insulated jacket
with retroflective striping. Oversized pockets hold radio, gloves, a hose strap, and other equipment. Like the pants,
it is held closed with Velcro and spring hooks. (13) Air-line and pressure gauge. On this particular brand of SCBA,
there are two air gauges: one at the bottom of the tank in back (for checking the pressure when the tank isn't being
worn) and one in front. (14) SCBA harness, comprised of shoulder and waist straps. (15) PASS device. Current
issue is an integrated PASS/SCBA, which activates automatically when the air supply is turned on. (16) Name label
on back of helmet. (17) SCBA shoulder straps. (18) Department identification. (19) Air tank bottle and backpack
frame. The bottle is quick-swappable because at a working fire a firefighter often goes through several bottles.
(20) Regulator and main supply valve. (21) Name label (under tank).
Courtesy of the Santa Clara, California, Fire
Department.
The coat and pants are insulated and reinforced. They are made out of a fire-resistant
fabric called PBI (other materials like Nomex are also used). They have reflective stripes
to make them reflect when a light is pointed at them so they can be better seen in the dark,
as well as glow-in-the-dark patches. They also have the firefighter's name and department
printed on the back, like a football player, to help identify the individual, since when every-
one is suited up and wearing masks, it is difficult to tell who is who. They are also
equipped with several large pockets for holding gloves, tools, radios, and so forth. Rubber
or leather waterproof steel-toed boots protect the firefighter's feet. The rubber boots are
usually stored in the “turned-out” pants so they can be quickly donned—hence the term
turnouts
. A fire-retardant hood covers the firefighter's head and neck, protecting the ears
and other parts that would be exposed under a helmet. When properly worn, no part of
the firefighter's skin is exposed or unprotected.
Helmets are color-coded so the wearer can be quickly identified at a fire scene. For many
fire departments, the color codes shown in Figure 14.51 are used.
Heat transfer can affect the human body in terms of sustaining life, protecting human life
in hazardous settings, and maintaining comfort. Without thermal convection via blood
flow, the body core temperature would rise to dangerous levels, since conduction is too
FIGURE 14.51
Firefighter protective helmet with color coding to indicate function.
From Santa Clara, California,
Fire Department.
