Firefighters risk their lives charging into burning buildings, rescuing humans and animals alike. Every hero needs a suit, and every knight needs his armor. Have you ever thought of what goes into a fireman’s suit?
The textile industry involves a lot more than most of us may think. There are experts in material sciences, physics, and safety tests.
Fire proximity suits withstand external heat and also dissipate heat from the wearer. It protects firefighters from chemicals, all the while maintaining comfort and flexibility.
Learn more about the mechanisms of firefighter suits below. Each of these layers provides a specific type of resistance that enhances the protective ability of the suit. Want to learn more about fire-resistant fabrics?
Let’s peel away the layers of a firefighter suit.
1. Outer Shell
Depending on the fuel source and oxygen supply, flame temperatures can reach up to 400-900 degrees Fahrenheit. To safeguard firefighters, proximity suits consist of fire-resistant fabrics like Kevlar. This layer should be able to withstand high temperatures, abrasions, lacerations, and impact.
All the while, it has to stay flexible and movable. Lightweight materials are best for minimizing heat stress and maximizing mobility. Source your textile components from a specialty webbing manufacturer for customization.
2. Moisture Barrier
Protection from external elements is a primary function of proximity suits. They also permit airflow and wick away heat and moisture from the wearer to prevent overheating from within. Sandwiched between the stay flexible and movable. outer shell and the thermal layer is the moisture barrier. It serves as a breathable layer that dissipates heat.
The firefighting industry isn’t limited to fires and building rescues. They also subject themselves to chemical splashes and even hazardous liquids like blood. The moisture layer prevents these liquids from seeping into the internal elements of the suit.
It’s made of a breathable waterproof film bound to a fire-resistant substrate. The side of the barrier facing the outer They also shell is for insulation and thermal protection.
Meanwhile, the side facing the wearer provides comfort and breathability.
3. Thermal layer
The thermal layer is the innermost layer that never meets the flames but absorbs around 75% of the heat. Other materials that can withstand high heat stress can make up the thermal layer. The innermost layer comes into contact with the firefighter’s body. As such, it needs to be easy to put on and remove.
This layer is highly absorbent and wicks away moisture from the body. This is important as condensed sweat in the suit can injure the firefighter in steam burns.
Get to Know Fire Proximity Suits from Behind the Scenes
Thank you for reading our article! Fire proximity suits are versatile pieces of protective equipment. They’ve got to have a minimum of three essential layers: the outer shell, the moisture barrier, and the thermal layer.
Each of these layers provides a specific type of resistance that enhances the protective ability of the suit. Want to learn more about fire-resistant fabrics? Consider browsing our other blog posts to learn more about fabric design engineering.
