Contamination Resistance in Firefighter Gear

Project Title: Development of Contamination Resistance as a Measure for Firefighter Protective Clothing

This research aims to enhance the health and safety of firefighters by developing strategies to incorporate contamination resistance in NFPA 1971 and 1851 standards without compromising necessary protection against fireground and environmental hazards. The project will review current NFPA requirements, assess the effects of contamination resistance on gear performance, and examine the impact of ageing on contamination resistance, performance, and exposure.

The study addresses a knowledge gap on how contamination resistance measures, including fluorinated and non-fluorinated finishes, affect protection against liquid, particulate, and chemical contamination, as well as cleaning effectiveness and thermal management. The research will involve testing firefighter turnout composites with different constructions and treatments, both in their new and aged states, using UV exposure and laundering to simulate ageing. The contaminated gear will then be assessed for resistance to contaminants, cleaning effectiveness, thermal protection, and heat loss.

The Goals of this research are:

1. Review NFPA 1971 and NFPA 1851 requirements in an independent and transparent  framework regarding contamination resistance 
2. Assess the impact of contamination resistance measures on ensemble performance and  exposure risks 
3. Determine the impact of ageing on contamination resistance, performance, and  exposure

The expected outcome is a comprehensive evaluation of how contamination resistance affects turnout performance and firefighter exposure to hazards, which will inform the revision of NFPA standards and enable firefighters to make informed decisions about risk trade-offs.

• Grant: DHS FEMA – Assistance to Firefighter Grants (Sept. 2021 – Sept. 2024)
• Grant Award Amount: $1,500,000

Publications

• Mazumder, N.U.S., Lu, J., Hall, A.S., Kasebi, A., Girase, A., Masoud, F., Stull., J.O., Ormond, R.B. (2023). Toward the future of firefighter gear: Assessing fluorinated and non-fluorinated outer shells following simulated on-the-job exposures. Journal of Industrial Textiles, 53.
• Mazumder, N.U.S., Hossain, M.T., Jahura, F.T., Girase, A., Hall, A.S., Lu, J., Ormond, R.B. (2023). Firefighters’ exposure to per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as an occupational hazard: A review. Frontiers in Materials, 10, 1143411.