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Protection that every hero deserves
Every time the alarm sounds, emergency responders put their lives on the line to protect others. It’s always been a dangerous job and the hazards continue to intensify.
54% of on-duty firefighter deaths related to heat stress1
Heat stress—a major hazard
Gear should prevent heat penetration to allow firefighters enough time to safely escape from an emergency while also managing the risks from heat stress, which is a major cause of firefighter deaths. With its higher air permeability, Nomex® helps reduce heat stress.
1 R.F. Fahy, J.T. Petrillo and J.L. Molis, “Firefighter Fatalities in the US—2019,” National Fire Protection Association: Quincy, MA, 2020.
Protection + comfort= fewer injuries and deaths
Balancing protection and comfort—a critical concern
Firefighter gear must stand up to all the thermal hazards firefighters face while also helping them to get the job done with the least amount of heat stress and without getting in the way of mobility or situational awareness. With its inherent heat and flame resistance and lightweight strength, Nomex® fiber provides low weight and high thermal protection.
61% of career firefighter line-of-duty deaths from cancer2 due to chronic chemical and smoke exposures
Harmful particulates— an unseen threat
A room filled with modern furnishings reaches flashover in just 3 minutes and 40 seconds compared to 29 minutes and 25 seconds for a “legacy” room. These modern rooms not only reach flashover much faster; they release a multitude of toxic substances that are carried by the smoke.3
Over time, exposure to these harmful particulates can lead to coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer and respiratory diseases.4 With its superior particle barrier performance, Nomex® Nano Flex helps make products like firefighter hoods more protective against harmful particulates.
2 Data from the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) for time period of January 1, 2002, to March 31, 2017, cited at https://firefightercancersupport.org/resources/faq
4 International Agency for Research on Cancer, (2019) List of Classifications, Volumes 1-123, World Health Organization
Articles & Case Studies
Nomex® Xtreme Performance
Nomex® Xtreme Performance solutions provide emergency responders with industry-leading performance before, during and after a fire.
Nomex® Nano & Nano Flex
From reducing heat stress to enhancing particle barrier protection, Nomex® continues to provide next-generation FR solutions.
Recommended PPE
From the first alarm to the all-clear signal, DuPont provides emergency responders solutions for industry-leading PPE that meet or exceed global standards—providing those who put their lives on the line with the protection they deserve.
Hoods made with Nomex® Nano Flex
Thin, lightweight and durable, hoods made with Nomex® Nano Flex help prevent many harmful particulates from being absorbed through the skin on the neckline and upper jaw, which are areas that historically are known to be the most vulnerable and least protected. When added to a firefighter hood composite structure, hoods made with Nomex® Nano Flex result in higher than 99% particulate, bacterial and viral filtration efficiency.
This game-changing barrier protection is achieved without compromising thermal resistance, breathability, comfort or situational awareness.
Turnout gear made with Nomex® and Kevlar®
Nomex® and Kevlar® fibers can be found in each layer of most firefighter turnout gear. Together, these innovative fibers help provide proven protection, durability and comfort from the inside out.
Nomex® and Kevlar® fibers help manufacturers create fire-resistant liners, outer shells and accessories that not only stand up to the thermal hazards that firefighters may face, but also help them to get the job done without getting in the way of mobility.
Thermal liners made with Nomex® Nano
Developed to address the growing problem of heat stress, Nomex® Nano represents the next generation of firefighter protection. It is specifically engineered to be thinner than other advanced flame-resistant (FR) materials used for thermal liners and features equivalent durability. In fact, Nomex® Nano for thermal liners can provide up to a 40% reduction in thermal liner thickness without compromising thermal protection.
Thermal liners made with Nomex® Nano can help reduce the weight and bulk of turnout gear, increasing mobility and reducing fatigue, disorientation and heat exhaustion. These thermal liners also feature enhanced moisture management, further contributing to a reduction in heat stress by rapidly removing sweat to keep skin dry, storing less water and drying quickly.
Stationwear made with Nomex®
Only stationwear made with Nomex® has built-in heat and flame protection that won’t melt, drip or stick to your skin when worn under turnout gear. Lightweight and breathable for a comfortable fit, stationwear made with Nomex® features excellent color fastness for a long-lasting professional look.
In addition, stationwear made with Nomex® can be washed and worn at least 125 times without sacrificing performance, giving it an average wear life of five years compared to only one year for flame-retardant-treated (FRT) cotton fabrics. It is available in button-down shirts, t-shirts and pants
International leaders in firefighting discuss challenges firefighters are facing around the world.
A series of 1-min videos for creative demonstrations on our protective garments and gloves.
What’s underneath the turnout gear matters. Stationwear made with Nomex® fiber is inherently flame resistant and incredibly lightweight for the ideal combination of comfort and durability.
From the first alarm until the fire is out, the inherent heat and flame resistance of Nomex® provides the superior on-the-job protection that every firefighter deserves.
From brush pants to jumpsuits, Nomex® provides comfortable, flexible and superior thermal protection for the brave firefighters who take on the most extreme wildfires.
DuPont™ Thermo-Man® is the world’s most advanced life-size thermal burn evaluation system. Our Thermo-Man® units use state-of-the-art technology to demonstrate the durability and superior flame resistance Nomex® delivers compared to other FR solutions.
Tyvek® and Tychem® provide lightweight, comfortable protective coveralls that deliver superior protection against a range of hazards without compromising mobility.
As the world seeks to understand and look for ways to further protect themselves and meet regional requirements associated with COVID-19, emergency responders have special considerations to keep in mind when it comes to fire-resistant (FR) face masks, hoods and other face coverings.
At DuPont, we’re committed to providing materials for FR PPE that can help provide essential workers with the protection they need to do their jobs safely, while adhering to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.
From FR apparel to cut resistant gloves and sleeves to chemical protective coveralls, find the right PPE for the hazards you face at SafeSPEC™.
