A British textile manufacturer has won an innovation award for developing a special fabric that better protects firefighters against heat. It is no coincidence that this development is receiving so much attention. Due to climate change and the many wildfires associated with it, the global demand for a new generation of firefighting gear is growing. This is leading to new challenges and innovations. But a new fabric alone is not enough to ensure proper protection.
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Wildland firefighting requires a new generation of firefighting gear
Textile manufacturer AW Hainsworth from Leeds introduced a new fabric in 2013 that was specifically developed for firefighters. The combination of artificial flame resistant fibres and natural merino wool makes the fabric more comfortable to wear thanks to its breathability, without compromising protection. Thanks to the Eco Dry system, the fabric also has breathable and quick drying properties. As a result, moisture on the inside, such as water or perspiration, is less likely to cling to the skin.
The fabric was developed to meet the strict Australian safety standards for wildland firefighters. This group often works long hours in extreme heat.
Today, around 70% of Australian wildland firefighters wear garments made from this fabric. Demand continues to grow as wildfire seasons become longer and the work becomes more physically demanding.
The fabric can be seen in the photo below.
Heat is becoming a bigger problem for firefighters
It is not surprising that demand is increasing, because good firefighting gear is not only about protection against flames. There are several other factors that can cause firefighters to collapse more quickly.
Research has shown that heat stress is a major problem among Australian firefighters. This condition causes fatigue, reduced concentration and severe exhaustion, and can even lead to life threatening heat stroke.
The study found that this problem occurs mainly during structural firefighting (62%), wildland firefighting (51%) and rescue operations (38%). Firefighters mainly experience discomfort around the head (58%), across the whole body (54%) and in the upper back (40%).
In South Korea, the issue has become so severe that eight out of ten firefighters consider their suits impractical and sometimes collapse because of the heat. Because budgets differ per province and several regions have faced budget cuts in recent years, the quality of protection is not equal everywhere. As a result, some firefighters buy second hand firefighting gear themselves. Although this is officially prohibited, it still happens due to a lack of supervision.
How countries protect their firefighters
Heat is clearly a major problem for firefighters, but there is no universal solution. Countries all approach firefighter protection differently.
In Canada, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Scandinavia, protocols play a major role. The focus there lies on guidelines and medical monitoring. Meanwhile, countries in Southern Europe, Latin America and parts of Asia place greater emphasis on behaviour, such as taking breaks, drinking enough water and seeking shade.
Countries such as Germany, Japan and Australia focus more strongly on innovation. These nations are quicker to experiment with new fabrics, cooling vests and sensors.
Cooling vests and sensors as the next generation of firefighting gear
Cooling vests have been used for years to help regulate temperatures inside firefighting suits. And they appear to be effective. Research has shown that cooling vests can reduce the risk of overheating by 91%.
Researchers from the School of Textile Science and Engineering at Tiangong University in China and the School of Fashion and Textiles at RMIT University in Melbourne collaborated in 2023 on a firefighting suit with an intelligent cooling system. The suit was designed to cool itself once temperatures increased, and this proved possible. Body temperature dropped by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius, delaying heat exhaustion by 15 to 20 minutes.
However, this also proved not to be the ideal solution. Although the suit worked effectively, it was heavier, making it less practical in real life situations.
To avoid making firefighting gear heavier, researchers are increasingly experimenting with lightweight technologies such as sensors. In Italy, researchers investigated how wearable sensors could improve firefighter safety. Heart rate, breathing, body temperature, environmental temperature, movement and humidity were monitored through a vest and wristband. The data was then transmitted via Bluetooth to a tablet.
Fit plays an important role in safety
You can equip firefighting gear with special fabrics, sensors or cooling systems, but without a proper fit, the wearer still remains insufficiently protected. And this is exactly where problems often occur.
Approximately 10% of firefighters worldwide are women. That amounts to around two million female firefighters. Research shows that this group is often insufficiently protected by current firefighting gear. Many departments still use unisex sizing systems mainly based on the male body.
A British study found that these firefighting suits often fail to fit women properly. For example, 75% of female firefighters have hips that are wider than their chest measurement. In addition, 55% have different waist and chest sizes. Someone may have a size S waist but a size M chest. Since unisex fits are generally designed around straighter body shapes, the clothing often does not fit correctly.
Poorly fitting protective clothing leaves firefighters more vulnerable. Heat, flames and chemicals can more easily enter between the suit and the skin. Loose fitting areas around the neck or wrists may also increase the risk of respiratory diseases and cancer. At the same time, excess fabric can restrict movement and make it harder to work safely.
The American study “Effect of structural turnout suit fit on female versus male firefighter range of motion” found that women wearing firefighting suits designed around male fits face a 33% higher risk of injury than their male colleagues.
Demand for a new generation of firefighting gear
It is clear that providing firefighters with protective clothing that combines both safety and freedom of movement is not easy. The demand for a new generation of firefighting gear is high. But every step towards improvement matters.
Want to read more about firefighting gear and protective equipment?
Also check: The history of the firefighter helmet
Kind regards,
Aileen
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