In Part 1 of our wildland fabric selection guide we covered the importance of NFPA certifications, the difference between inherent and treated FR fabrics, and the meaning behind radiant heat protection. All of those factors relate to protection from flames, but fire isn’t the only threat on the line. In this post we explain the safety and performance benefits of fabric breathability and durability.
Click here if you missed Part 1
Breathability
Recent research on wildland injuries has revealed that heat related illnesses are statistically a greater threat to a firefighter’s health than fire itself. With that in mind, fabric breathability has been upgraded from a comfort factor to a safety factor, and should be a major consideration when buying or specifying your Wildland PPE.
The key stat for breathability is THL, or Total Heat Loss. THL measures how much heat energy can be released in watts per square meter of fabric. NFPA 1977 requires a minimum THL of 450 W/m2, but just as with RPP there are now options available on the market with much higher THL ratings, sometimes over 700 W/m2. These new, highly breathable fabrics are particularly beneficial for firefighters operating in hotter climates, which is part of why CalFire has championed THL as a critical metric for Wildland PPE.
The higher the THL rating, the less likely that you, or members of your department, will suffer from heat related illnesses on the fireline. In addition to the safety factor, firefighters who can let off more heat through their garments will experience fatigue at a lower rate, allowing them to spend less time resting and more time on the line.
Layering of garments also has a significant impact on THL, but that is a topic for a future post.
Durability
More durable fabrics offer firefighters protection from abrasion related injuries due to rocks, brush, and man-made hazards that may be encountered on the fire line. Durability also has a significant impact on the useable life of a garment, with some of the tougher wildland fabrics available being able to stand up to season after season of heavy use. The catch with durability is that it sometimes comes at the expense of breathability, comfort, or price point. Due to these tradeoffs use case should drive the durability decision. Firefighters who spent most of their summer on wildland incidents and routinely traverse rugged terrain should strongly consider investing in the most durable fabrics available, as they will ultimately save money by replacing gear less often.
Stay Tuned For Part 3
Safety should always be the primary goal when selecting wildland PPE, but comfort and budget are also important to consider as well. In Part 3 we will go over options for testing the comfort of a fabric before placing an order, and budget considerations when specifying your wildland PPE.
The CrewBoss team has decades of experience in helping wildland firefighters select the right fabric for their specific needs. Please fill out the form below if you have questions about any of the information in this post, or would like assistance in creating your own wildland PPE specification. You can also join our email list to stay up to date with all of the latest news and deals from CrewBoss.
