There are almost as many differences in station/work uniforms as there are differences in fire departments. You’ll find everything from Levis and chambray shirts to polyester blends to heavy wool to Nomex and other fire-resistive fibers. Regardless of the differences, there’s only one recognized standard for the production of those uniforms–NFPA 1975: Standard on Station/Work Uniforms for Fire and Emergency Services, which covers requirements for the design, performance, testing and certification of station/work uniforms.
NFPA 1975 requires that garments be made from thermally stable materials, as well as optional flame-resistant materials. Thermally stable materials are those that will not contribute to burn injury (i.e., no rapid deterioration, melting, shrinking or adherence to skin, causing a more severe burn injury).
What to Wear
Station/work uniforms are not considered to be primary protection garments, and they cannot be relied upon to provide protection from specific hazards, such as those encountered during structural firefighting or wildland firefighting.
Station/work uniforms include:
- Shirt, with collar, full-length opening, either long or short sleeve;
- Polo or golf-style shirt, with collar, pullover with partial front opening, either long or short sleeve;
- T-shirt, pullover without front opening, without collar, either long or short sleeve;
- Sweatshirt, pullover, with or without collar, either long or short sleeve;
- Pants, extending from the waist to the ankles; and
- Shorts, extending from the waist to a point at or above the knee.
All of these items must be made of thermally stable materials. Some examples of compliant materials include Nomex (or other aramids that meet optional fire resistance); Firewear (or other modacrylic/cotton blends that meet optional fire resistance); fire-resistant cotton that meets optional fire resistance; and cotton that meets base requirements.
Some examples of non-compliant materials include polyester, high percent polyester blends and wool.
Note: Station/work uniforms do not include underwear, socks, dress uniforms or outerwear. Performance fitness undergarments have become increasingly popular among firefighters. Most of this clothing is not constructed of thermally stable materials and should not be worn while on duty. Although these materials offer features such as moisture management and bacterial control, they are typically not thermally stable and are made from fibers with relatively low melting points, which can melt and contribute to a burn injury.
Back to station/work uniforms: In my opinion, you’re generally better off in aramid fabrics than most of the others. Although high in initial cost, most aramid fabrics have very long wear life, and the purchase may well be more cost-effective in the long run.
The bottom line: Wearing compliant station/work uniforms under protective clothing increases thermal resistance and provides higher levels of protection to the wearer. As such, compliant long uniform pants provide greater protection than compliant shorts.
Testing, Testing
So how do you know that your station/work uniforms are up to snuff? They undergo the following tests to ensure they meet NFPA 1975.
Heat and thermal shrinkage: This test checks whether the materials ignite, melt, drip or separate during exposure to high heat. It also examines what happens to a material after exposure to high temperatures. Thermal shrinkage of fabric greater than 10 percent can contribute to burn injury severity due to increased heat transfer, restriction of body movement or the breaking open of fabric.
Thermal stability: This test examines whether material could stick to the wearer’s skin or underclothing during a high heat or flame exposure.
Thread heat resistance: This test checks whether the thread used in station/work uniforms can withstand temperatures up to 500 degrees F.
Seam strength: Different seam strength requirements are used for different material types and portions of the station/work uniform. NFPA 1975 requires that critical trouser seams have a seam strength of 55 lbs. or greater. Shirt seams must have a seam strength of 40 lbs. or greater. Knit material seams must have a seam strength of 40 lbs. or greater.
Label durability: This requirement checks for label durability after laundering cycles. Following this test, the labels must remain legible from a distance of at least 12 inches.
Optional flame resistance: This test is used to determine how readily materials ignite and how long they continue to burn after removal of the ignition source. Materials cannot have an after-flame time greater than 2 seconds, or a char length greater than 6 inches, or exhibit any melting or dripping. Char length is an indicator of thermal stability. This is not representative of all types of flame contact to which personnel might be exposed.
Testing is conducted after 25 wash/dry cycles for thermally stable materials and after 100 wash/dry cycles for thermally stable materials with optional flame resistance. Emblems, patches or silkscreen used on station/work uniforms are not included in the test requirements of the standard. Users are cautioned that emblems, patches or silkscreen with thick adhesive backings could melt and contribute to burn injury.
Note: Be sure you’re purchasing station/work clothing that has been certified to the NFPA 1975 standard and contains a label stating that certification, and that the label bears the mark of a certification organization (i.e., UL and SEI). If in doubt, ask for the certification report, which contains the test results.
Conclusion
If you’re planning to change station/work uniforms, conduct a wear trial, and involve department members and the labor organization in the process. Visit manufacturers at trade shows, and ask about material compliance with NFPA 1975. Finally, ask to see the certification information, and know what the standard requires.
Changes on the Horizon
Some proposed changes to NFPA 1975 for 2009 version
NFPA 1975 is currently undergoing revision and became available for public comment after Dec. 12, 2007. Comments must be submitted by Feb. 29, 2008. During this time, anyone can make a comment and see the draft document and the comment form on the NFPA Web site, www.nfpa.org. The principal changes to the revised document are;
- A change of title to reflect other emergency services organizations that use such uniforms: Standard on Station/Work Uniforms for Emergency Services.
- Revised thermal stability requirements and testing text to be clear on the determination of pass/fail requirements.
- Revised manufacturers’ quality assurance program to add accreditation of the entity that audits the quality assurance program.
- Revised dry-cleaning conditioning procedures to reflect 100 cycles.
The revised edition should be released in January 2009.
