In this blog post, we will look at the technological evolution of firefighter suits and consider whether society is paying enough attention to and investing in them.
A firefighter suit is a suit that protects against fire. Firefighters must run into fires to save lives in extreme environments, so firefighting suits are more than just protective equipment, they are essential equipment for saving lives. Firefighting suits are designed to block the dangers of heat and fire and allow firefighters to perform their duties safely. The importance of firefighting suits is increasing day by day because the frequency and intensity of large fires are increasing due to rapid climate change.
There is a heat-resistant suit that is more effective than a fire suit in blocking heat and flames. This suit is made by coating aluminum on a fire suit, but it is not as active as a fire suit and is not often used in the field. Heat-resistant suits are generally used for dangerous post-fire firefighting and special situations in industrial sites, rather than for firefighting. To be a fireproof suit, it is important not only to prevent the transfer of fire and heat to the inside of the suit, but also to maintain its shape when exposed to high temperatures or fire, rather than breaking down like ordinary clothes.
Meta-aramid and para-aramid fibers are mainly used in fireproof suits, and polybenzimidazole (PBI) fibers are used for the outer fabric. These fibers play a key role in protecting firefighters’ bodies even in high-temperature environments. In particular, meta-aramid and para-aramid fibers maximize the durability and functionality of firefighting suits by utilizing their respective characteristics. Firefighting suits are mainly composed of meta-aramid fibers and partially use para-aramid fibers.
First, let’s take a look at para-aramid fibers. Para-aramid fibers are very strong materials with a tensile strength of 26 g/d and a tensile modulus of 4601 and 100 g/d, but they are used in many places because of their low price. A typical example is Kevlar, which is used to make bulletproof vests. Fire-resistant clothing is made of para-aramid fibers to increase the strength of the fire-resistant clothing, which is made of low-strength meta-aramid fibers.
Meta-aramid fibers are the main component of most fire-resistant clothing, and therefore determine most of the properties of the clothing. These fibers have excellent heat resistance and flame retardancy. In particular, it is heat-resistant over the long term, maintaining more than 70% of its strength even after 1,000 hours of exposure at temperatures above 250°C, and is highly flame-retardant, making it unlikely to burn. These characteristics help firefighters work for long periods of time in high-temperature fire scenes. In addition, even if the fire spreads during firefighting, the amount of toxic gases that are harmful to the body is relatively small compared to other fibers, so it is less harmful to firefighters’ bodies. In addition, firefighters often go to factories for firefighting, and this fiber has good electrical insulation, so there is little risk of electric shock, and it has excellent chemical resistance, so it is safe to go to places like chemical plants for firefighting. This fiber is used a lot because it is a fiber that is resistant to changes in temperature and humidity and is easy to process into clothes.
Polybenzimidazole (PBI) fiber is very heat-resistant and flame-retardant, and maintains its strength even at high temperatures. This fiber is especially effective when in direct contact with flames, allowing firefighters to face the dangers of high temperatures. Like meta-aramid, it has very low thermal conductivity and excellent chemical and abrasion resistance, making it the best fabric for firefighting suits, but it is very expensive, so it is only used as the outer fabric.
There are a lot of articles about firefighters these days. In particular, there is growing concern about the poor working conditions and lack of equipment that firefighters face. While there are stories that warm the heart, such as the one about a woman who donated money to buy firefighter uniforms, there are also many stories that enrage everyone, such as the one about the fire department being supplied with uninspected items from the Ministry of Public Safety. These problems mean that firefighters are not being provided with even the minimum amount of protective equipment necessary to protect the public on the front lines. Just as Iron Man is nothing more than an ordinary person without his suit, firefighters cannot save us from danger if their clothes are in disarray. Just as Iron Man continues to improve his suit to become stronger, I hope there will be more investment and development in firefighting suits so that the heroes who save us can become safer and stronger.
In addition, not only firefighting suits, but also all the equipment and technology used by firefighters need to be continuously improved. New types of fires and disasters are occurring in a rapidly changing environment, and the latest technology and equipment are essential to prepare for them. Firefighters are not just people who put out fires, but also perform the task of rescuing people and protecting property in various disaster situations. Since the firefighting suits and equipment they use are directly related to their safety, the government and society should pay more attention to and invest in firefighters’ equipment.
