By Alan M. Petrillo
New designs in structural firefighting turnout gear, fire resistant fabrics, new and improved self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) designs, and incorporation of thermal imaging systems into SCBA are some of the many product introductions made for firefighters’ personal protective equipment (PPE) at FDIC International 2016.
Globe Manufacturing Company debuted its ATHLETIX™ turnout gear that uses new material technology to enable an athletic design with stretch fabrics that allow a closer, body-contoured fit. Rob Freese, Globe's senior vice president of marketing, says ,"These new materials and the athletic design provide a firefighter with an unprecedented range of motion, less bulk, more flexibility, and lighter weight." Freese says the outer shell is made out of Kombat™ Stretch PBI®/Kevlar®, the thermal barrier is Nomex® Nano, the moisture barrier is Crosstech® Black, and the reflective trim is 3M Scotchlite Comfort Trim.
Features of the ATHLETIX jacket include a more streamlined design with vertical seaming to reduce oversized areas, stretch panels in the thermal barrier to give maximum range of motion and minimum restriction, a softer and less bulky collar that interfaces better with a hood and helmet to reduce head restriction, incorporation of a Yocco drag rescue device, elasticized side panels, and articulated elbows.
The ATHLETIX pants feature a lower rise and less bulky design with a banded inseam for a closer fit to the body, stretch panels in the thermal barrier that work with the stretch outer shell, elasticized sides and a one-hand adjustable belt closure, articulated knees, angled side pockets with grip tabs, and a liner access opening.
Ben Mauti, fire service segment manager for MSA, says MSA's innovation concepts to its G1 SCBA include a fall alarm, a breathing rate monitor, firefighter ranging, and an integrated thermal imaging camera (TIC). "The TIC is on the top of the G1 control module and displays on the existing control screen," Mauti points out. "It adds only four ounces and one inch to the module, displays in five color palettes, and is glove friendly."
The firefighting ranging innovation shows any other firefighters in proximity, as well as their distance, direction, and elevation, Mauti says. The breathing rate monitor can be seen on the control screen display, and when breathing hits a preset rate, vibrates and illuminates a light in the heads-up display (HUD), he adds, while the fall alarm innovation uses the G1's built-in accelerometer to detect a firefighter's fall, when it would issue a chirp alarm and send a telemetry signal for assistance.
Honeywell Safety Products introduced a new Titan SCBA with completely new electronics, as well as redesigned shoulder straps and waist belt for a more ergonomic fit, according to Charlie Thompson, Honeywell's SCBA sales manager. "We recut the shoulder straps so they fit a firefighter's frame better, and the waist belt pivots in all directions to keep the SCBA's weight on a firefighter's hips, which cu