NFPA 1971

Abstract

This standard shall specify the minimum design, performance, testing, and certification requirements for structural fire fighting protective ensembles and ensemble elements that include coats, trousers, coveralls, helmets, gloves, footwear, and interface components. This standard shall specify the minimum design, performance, testing, and certification requirements for proximity fire fighting protective ensembles and ensemble elements that include coats, trousers, coveralls, helmets, gloves, footwear, and interface components. This standard shall also specify optional requirements for particulate barrier protective hood interface components. This standard shall also specify additional optional requirements for structural fire fighting protective ensembles and proximity fire fighting protective ensembles that will provide limited protection from liquid and particulate hazards. This standard shall not specify requirements for protection against CBRN terrorism agents. This standard shall specify requirements for new structural fire fighting protective ensembles, new proximity fire fighting protective ensembles, or new elements for both ensembles. This standard shall not specify requirements for any accessories that could be attached to the certified product, but are not necessary for the certified product to meet the requirements of this standard. Other than for the certification of structural or proximity protective ensembles to the optional complete ensemble liquid and particulate hazard protection requirements, this standard shall not specify the respiratory protection that is necessary for proper protection with structural or fire fighting protective ensembles. Certification of compliant structural fire fighting protective ensembles, compliant proximity fire fighting protective ensembles, and compliant elements of both ensembles to the requirements of this standard shall not preclude certification to additional appropriate standards where the ensemble or ensemble element meets all the applicable requirements of each standard. This standard shall not be construed as addressing all of the safety concerns associated with the use of compliant protective ensembles or ensemble elements. It shall be the responsibility of the persons and organizations that use compliant protective ensembles or ensemble elements to establish safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. This standard shall not be construed as addressing all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with the use of this standard by testing facilities. It shall be the responsibility of the persons and organizations that use this standard to conduct testing of protective ensembles or ensemble elements to establish safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to using this standard for any designing, manufacturing, and testing. Nothing herein shall restrict any jurisdiction or manufacturer from exceeding these minimum requirements. Purpose. The purpose of this standard shall be to establish minimum levels of protection for fire fighting personnel assigned to fire department operations including but not limited to structural fire fighting, proximity fire fighting, rescue, emergency medical, and other emergency first responder functions. To achieve this purpose, this standard shall establish minimum requirements for structural fire fighting protective ensembles and ensemble elements designed to provide fire fighting personnel limited protection from thermal, physical, environmental, and bloodborne pathogen hazards encountered during structural fire fighting operations. To achieve this purpose, this standard shall establish minimum requirements for proximity fire fighting protective ensembles and ensemble elements designed to provide fire fighting personnel limited protection from thermal exposures where high levels of radiant heat as well as convective and conductive heat are released, and from physical, environmental, and bloodborne pathogen hazards encountered during proximity fire fighting operations. The purpose of this standard shall also be to establish a minimum level of protection for structural and proximity fire fighting personnel from exposure to liquid and particulate contaminants as an option for compliant structural fire fighting ensembles, for compliant proximity fire fighting ensembles, and for compliant elements for both ensembles. Controlled laboratory tests used to determine compliance with the performance requirements of this standard shall not be deemed as establishing performance levels for all situations to which personnel can be exposed. This standard shall not be utilized as a detailed manufacturing or purchasing specification but shall be permitted to be referenced in purchase specifications as minimum requirements.