Overtrousers (fire department)
The fire brigade overpants (also fire brigade overpants or simply overpants ) belong to the special personal protective equipment of the fire brigade . They are worn as a supplement to protective clothing over normal protective trousers and ensure significantly increased protection against mechanical and thermal hazards in fire services.
Norms
The structure and properties of overpants are regulated within the EU via DIN EN 469 . In Germany, there is also a special feature of the production and test description for universal fire brigade protective clothing (HuPF). These determine, among other things, the minimum requirements for heat and flame resistance, heat resistance and tear resistance. With regard to the warning effect at deployment sites, the overpants should also comply with DIN EN 471 - Class 2 .
Pants types
According to DIN EN 469 and HuPF, a distinction is made between two different types of overpants. These differ mainly in how they are worn and the protective effect.
Overpants according to Hupf 4a
Overpants of type 4a have two layers of fabric and are pulled over the single-layer firefighter trousers (HuPF type 2) when fighting a fire. Only a combination of both types of trousers is permitted, otherwise the full protective effect cannot be developed. This type of combination offers the advantage that overpants only have to be worn at the point of use when needed, thus avoiding unnecessary fatigue and exhaustion due to heat build-up.
Overpants according to Hupf 4b
Type 4b cover trousers have three or four layers of fabric. In contrast to type 4a trousers, they can be worn during fire fighting without type 2 trousers underneath. However, it is recommended to wear flame-retardant work trousers under the trousers in order to enable the trousers to be taken off, especially after use. This sustainably lowers the body's heat stress. Type 4b overpants have the highest protection standards.
Performance level 1 and 2
DIN EN 469 allows two different performance levels for overpants from three layers. Performance level 2 offers the higher protection standards.
Protective effect in comparison
The DIN EN 469 results in a minimum protective effect on the pants. This is determined, among other things, by testing the degree of heat transfer in accordance with EN ISO 6942. In this test, one side of a test piece of the pants is exposed to a flame and it is measured how long it takes until a temperature increase of 24 Kelvin is recorded on the other side of the test piece. This measured value is referred to as RHTI 24 (RHTI = Heat Radiation Index). This rise in temperature simulates the penetration of heat in the event of an emergency where second-degree burns are to be expected. In addition, the duration of the rise from a thermal breakdown from 12 to 24 Kelvin is determined and designated with the index RHTI 24-12 . In the real case, this is the retreat time that a firefighter has from the first sensation of pain to the onset of irreversible skin damage.
The following table shows a comparison of the various protection standards:
| Comparison of different protection standards according to DIN EN 469 | ||||
| Single-layer pants (HuPF 2) |
Two-layer pants (HuPF 4a) |
Three- to four-layer trousers (HUPF 4b / DIN EN 469 - performance level 1) |
Three- to four-layer trousers (HUPF 4b / DIN EN 469 - performance level 2) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHTI 24 1 | ≥5 | ≥10 | ≥9 | ≥13 |
| RHTI 24-12 2 | ≥1 | ≥3 | ≥3 | ≥4 |
While serious injuries to the skin could only be recorded after at least 13 seconds with the highest protection standard, the time span for pants according to HuPF 2 was only 5 seconds.
construction
Overpants consist of two (HuPF type 4a) or three to four (HuPF type 4b) layers of fabric. An aramid fabric is used as the top layer . This is particularly hard-wearing, non-flammable and cannot melt. As a result, the highest possible mechanical and thermal protection is achieved. A functional membrane (for example Gore-Tex ) is used under the top layer . This serves as a moisture and vapor barrier and is intended to prevent the wearer from being scalded by water vapor. The third layer is another aramid fabric layer. In the case of four-layer trousers, an additional layer of fabric is used as an insulation lining.
Overall, modern overpants are two to three centimeters thick and weigh between 0.8 (type 4a) and 1.3 (type 4b) kg. Pockets are sewn on the sides for additional equipment and removable knee pads on the knees also reinforce the trousers. To prevent the trousers from slipping during use, they are fitted with Velcro fasteners or cuffs in the foot area and suspenders are also used. Overpants are provided with reflective strips to ensure a sufficient warning effect, especially at emergency locations in traffic areas .
use
In an internal attack , the overpants protect against sudden and unpredictable fire events such as flashover or backdraft . Due to the significantly increased heat penetration time, the troops affected by such an event have enough time to retreat before the heat penetrates through the protective clothing and thus the most severe burn injuries.
Despite these findings, overpants are still not being used across the board. Some fire brigades, such as the Bremen fire brigade , only use single-layer trousers and refer to the so-called warm window . However, since serious injuries due to insufficient protective clothing occur time and again, not wearing overpants is now considered dangerous, outdated and impractical.
literature
- Ulrich Cimolino: "Personal protective equipment for the fire brigade and other aid organizations" , ecomed Sicherheit , 2014, ISBN 978-3-609-68744-5 .
See also
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b Christian Patzelt: "Fire brigade overpants: More than just protection in internal attacks " at www.feuerwehrmagazin.de on June 22, 2016, accessed on August 9, 2016.
- ^ Unfallkasse Nordrhein-Westphalen: "Safe in use" ( PDF ; 1.21 MB) at www.unfallkasse-nrw.de, accessed on August 9, 2016.
- ↑ Unfallkasse Nordrhein-Westphalen: "Safety Forum Fire Brigade: Fire brigade protective clothing according to EN 469 and HuPF" ( PDF ; 9.2 MB) at www.unfallkasse-nrw.de on October 29, 2010, accessed on August 9, 2016.
- ↑ Bayrische Gemeindeunfallkasse: "Warning effect of fire brigade protective clothing " ( PDF ; 322 kB) at www.stmi.bayern.de on February 5, 2009, accessed on August 9, 2016.
- ↑ a b c d Hessian Ministry of the Interior and Sport: "Production and test descriptions for universal fire protection clothing (HuPF)" www.innen.hessen.de, accessed on August 11, 2016.
- ↑ a b "Fire protection clothing " www.atemschutzunfaelle.de, accessed on August 11, 2016.
- ↑ German statutory accident insurance: "Fire brigade protective clothing - tips for buyers and users" ( PDF ; 371 kB) www.publikationen.dguv.de, October 2012, accessed on August 11, 2016.
- ↑ a b c d Thomas Wündrich, Florian Fastner: "Why overpants ...?" ( PDF ; 412 kB) www.atemschutzunfaelle.de, June 2006, accessed on August 9, 2016.
- ↑ Cimolino , Südmersen, Horn, Pannier: "Statement on the publication of the IM, LFS and UK Baden-Württemberg from July 29, 2003" ( PDF ; 91 kB) at www.atemschutzunfaelle.de, accessed on August 10, 2016.