In the case of a large fire, the firefighting garment should control the exposure time in order to avoid thermal shock. When a firefighter is dressed appropriately so as not to be exposed to heat energy from the flames, he or she may not be able to assess the thermal radiation for a long period of exposure and thus may be susceptible to thermal shock even while wearing the appropriate garment. It is of paramount importance to comply with exposure times, rest periods, and other procedures to avoid fatigue. It is important to emphasize the importance of using other equipment to protect against hot air, fumes, toxic gases, and gas explosions. Inhalation of these aerosols can kill instantly by burning of the airways and lungs.
According to Murray (1990, in DINIZ FILHO, 2011) when someone is on call, especially in firefighting, the intense physical effort associated with environmental conditions and the use of personal protective equipment can dangerously raise the body temperature of firefighters involved in the emergency. The concept established by NFPA 1583 is that it is not only the firefighter who is at risk. When they are not in optimal physical and mental health, it is not only the firefighter’s life that is compromised, but also the life of team members, patients, and fire victims.
Firefighting garments use an array of fabrics available on the market focused on thermal protection, providing the highest performance and the best thermal protection in terms of management of the body’s heat loss.
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