EQUIPMENT DIGEST
Lightweight Turnout Suit
A new, lightweight turnout suit system which provides fire fighters with the best available protection from both heat and moisture has been developed by Protective Engineering Corp. The Series 300 Turnout Suit features a coat which falls just below the waist and bib style pants. The design of the system provides for greater mobility of the upper body and balanced weight distribution of the suit.
The Series 300 Turnout Suit system incorporates the latest advances in fabrics and protective coatings. The Series exceeds the recommendations of NFPA 1971, Project FIRES and others, yet is 18 percent lighter in weight than the prototype suits in NFPA 1971.
The suit has a vapor barrier system made of fire retardant Nomex cloth to which Gore-Tex has been bonded. This vapor barrier allows accumulated perspiration to pass through the insulation, thus helping to significantly reduce internal heat buildup. Alternate liner systems are also available.
Circle No. 18 on Reader Service Card
Pager Holder
The Sure-Grip Pager Holder with a lockhold design to secure pager from loss or damage by falling, is made of sturdy cowhide leather and fits any belt size. Pager will not push loose or fall off even when forced, but will easily release when needed.
Circle No. 4 on Reader Service Card
Arson Evidence Kit
Maltese, Inc. introduces an Arson Sampling Kit designed for accurate and careful collecting of materials at a fire scene to be used as evidence in a court of law. The kit’s sample collecting tools give an investigator the means to collect, protect, and document such materials as excelsior, plaster, soot, soil, wood, carpet and liquids. The containers prevent contamination until the evidence can be tested in a lab. The padded aluminum carrying case is divided for convenient organization to facilitate the investigative procedure with plenty of room for additional department equipment.
Circle No. 2 on Reader Service Card
Boots
Servus Rubber Company has announced the development of a new line of fire boots. The New York Fire Boot, designed for top performance and better comfort, meets and exceeds specifications of the New York Fire Department.
Features of the boot include a more rugged knee patch, wider top with adjustable strap, and heavy natural rubber knurled foxing for better protection against punctures. Rivets and caps on the outside provide reinforcement, and a thick felt lining gives greater comfort and better insulation. In the foot area, a higher duraheel and black sole provide longer wear, and the six layer rag and sponge insole insure greater air circulation, comfort and protection. The air conditioned heel has been patented for exclusive use by Servus.
Circle No. 5 on Reader Service Card
Fireproofing
Fireproofing protecting steel beams in a state office building in Olympia, Washington prevented major structural damage despite an intense fire which gutted a 9000 square foot area in October 1983.
A two-alarm fire of apparent electrical origin caused extensive damage to a 140 by 65 foot office area on the second floor of the Department of Social and Health Services building. Total damage was initially estimated at $2 million but would have run much higher had the beams not been fireproofed. The fireproofing product used is called Monokote and is manufactured by W.R. Grace & Co.
According to the local district manager for Grace Construction Products, only minor structural repairs were needed despite severity of the fire. A formal study of the effects of the fire is being done.
Turnout Gear
Fyrepel is now marketing a model of turnout gear made with a new, long-wearing fabric, Fyretex Plus.
The new fabric provides 92 percent more tensile strength, 172 percent greater tear strength, 23 percent greater resistance to abrasion, and 25 percent more heat resistance. Fyretex Plus is composed of a glass core wrapped in an aramid yarn, that offers superior heat protection in high ambient temperatures along with greater strength and durability.
Circle No. 23 on Reader Service Card
First Master’s Graduates
Worcester Polytechnic Institute has graduated the first three students in the United States ever to receive a master’s degree in fire protection engineering.
The students, Richard Bielen of Enfield, Conn., Akhil Das of Assam, India, and David Demers of Lunenburg, Mass., earned degrees from WPI’s Center for Firesafety Studies, which in 1979 established the country’s first advanced degree program in fire protection engineering.
Aerial Nozzle
Truck Equipment Engineering Co., Inc. introduces their new product called the “Snozzle.” It is a 50 foot, 1000 gpm aerial nozzle which can be mounted over the pumper compartment of a new or existing pumper. The unit features low cost, balanced design, minimum interference with pumper components and complete remote control of all functions.
Circle No. 3 on Reader Service Card
Gear Bag
Globe Firefighters Suits announces a new gear bag for fire fighters. The bag is made of 1000 denier Cordura, undercoated and collapses for easy storage. When opened it is 24 x 13 x 14 inches and can stow a complete turnout suit, boots and helmet. The red bag is double stitched throughout with extra strength at stress points. It is water, stain, mildew and oil resistant and is machine washable.
Circle No. 11 on Reader Service Card
Carbon Monoxide Tester
A compact version of the Ecolyzer analyzer breath test for exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) has been developed by Energetics Science, division of Becton Dickinson and Co. The Ecolyzer COHb/200 Analyzer System quickly measures the concentration of CO in individual’s alveolar (deep lung) air to identify those with an excessive percentage of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb), and thus a deficiency that overworks the heart and reduces alertness is reached long before nausea or dizziness warn a fire fighter of overexposure to CO.
Circle No. 1 on Reader Service Card
Head Protection
Increased comfort and better protection in head gear is now available. The new QuicHood head cover, a lightweight, flame resistant, all-weather hood manufactured by Zico Corp., is now available with an elastic band sewn into the hem of the face opening, providing increased weather resistance and a tight seal around SCBA masks.
The Quic-Hood cover is made of 100 percent DuPont Nomex Aramid, a fiber with built-in flame resistance that will never wash or dry clean out. It is compatible with any American made self-contained breathing equipment mask and helmet, and meets CAL-OSHA standards for fire fighting protective clothing.
Circle No. 16 on Reader Service Card
Back-pack Communications
JA Electronics, Inc., introduces the BacPac, a two-way UHF communications system for SCBA gear. The Bac-Pac provides constant, hands-free communications between the interior fire attack team, search and rescue team, and the outside. The unit is premounted on existing breathing apparatus without jeopardizing the integrity of the facepiece seal. The exterior unit can monitor four interior fire fighters, each on a separate UHF frequency. The Bac-Pac receives and transmits simultaneously and has expansion capability for twelve separate frequencies. The Bac-Pac fits most existing SCBA gear and allows the fireground commander to receive precise information without waiting until the SCBA team exits.
Circle No. 17 on Reader Service Card
Command Vest
Globe Firefighters Suits announces the first entirely fluorescent (daylight visibility) and retroreflective (night visibility) command vest commercially available. The vest is made entirely of Reflexite reflective fabric and has 24 hour visibility protection.
The vest is constructed of highly durable re-inforced vinyl with 2-inch adjustable hook and loop fasteners. There are no metal or electrically conductive components.
Circle No. 13 on Reader Service Card
Search and Rescue Markers
Crane Mfg. and Plastics Corp., has developed a new door marker to be used during search and rescue operations. The Sure Search door marker was developed to be used as a uniform search notification which allows other fire fighters to be sure that a room has been searched. The markers are durably constructed, convenient to carry, and easy to use. They are highly visible, easily recognized, and reuseable.
Circle No. 15 on Reader Service Card
Protection Suits
Durafab, a manufacturer of protective clothing, introduces their Hazardous Environment suits. Durafab’s garments of Saranex or Polyethylene Laminated Tyvek and featuring a patented ultrasonically welded and bound seam, effectively guard against exposure to hazardous waste materials such as PCB’s, acids, hydrocarbons and hazardous waste spills.
The suits are cut full for easy movement, with all loose strings and chains removed for safety. Stress-tested seams are made to fill the job requirements.
Circle No. 14 on Reader Service Card
Synthesized Speech
Microvoice Systems Corp., introduces the VoiceBoard, a compact circuit board that incorporates speech into safety and fire protection equipment. This is especially useful in high rise buildings where warnings, messages and instructions can be repeated to panic-stricken victims who need verbal assurance and guidance. The voice is triggered through simple switch closures or by computer interfacing with only a minimum of electronic knowledge required for hook up.
Circle No. 6 on Reader Service Card
