SERIES: WHAT YOU WEAR UNDER YOUR TURNOUT GEAR MATTERS
WHAT YOU WEAR UNDER YOUR TURNOUT GEAR MATTERS
In 2022, Workrite Fire Service, in partnership with Chesterfield Fire & EMS and the Evan Haynes Burn Center, conducted a crucial burn simulation. The goal was to demonstrate what happens to station wear under turnout gear during a flashover. The test revealed the severe dangers of wearing non-FR, synthetic blend garments, which can melt and cause significant additional injuries to a firefighter.
WITNESS THE RESULTS
This burn display shows the stark reality. While the front of the turnout gear, mimicking a firefighter on hands and knees, showed little damage, the exposed back suffered catastrophic failure. The thermal energy penetrated the outer layer, melting the polyester blend station wear underneath and showing how the wrong base layer can lead to devastating injuries.
FR MATERIALS CUT BURN INJURIES IN HALF
The follow-up test provided undeniable proof: choosing the right base layer is a critical decision. While the mannequin wearing synthetic materials sustained an estimated 36% total body surface area burns, the one protected by FR station wear saw that number cut in half. This significant reduction in injury severity underscores a fundamental truth: what you wear under your turnout gear matters.
WHAT YOU WEAR UNDER YOUR TURNOUT GEAR MATTERS
In 2022, Workrite Fire Service, in partnership with Chesterfield Fire & EMS and the Evan Haynes Burn Center, conducted a crucial burn simulation. The goal was to demonstrate what happens to station wear under turnout gear during a flashover. The test revealed the severe dangers of wearing non-FR, synthetic blend garments, which can melt and cause significant additional injuries to a firefighter.
WITNESS THE RESULTS
This burn display shows the stark reality. While the front of the turnout gear, mimicking a firefighter on hands and knees, showed little damage, the exposed back suffered catastrophic failure. The thermal energy penetrated the outer layer, melting the polyester blend station wear underneath and showing how the wrong base layer can lead to devastating injuries.
FR MATERIALS CUT BURN INJURIES IN HALF
The follow-up test provided undeniable proof: choosing the right base layer is a critical decision. While the mannequin wearing synthetic materials sustained an estimated 36% total body surface area burns, the one protected by FR station wear saw that number cut in half. This significant reduction in injury severity underscores a fundamental truth: what you wear under your turnout gear matters.
The 2022 Chesterfield Burn Test
In 2022, Workrite Fire Service, in partnership with Chesterfield Fire & EMS and the Evan Haynes Burn Center, conducted a crucial burn simulation. The goal was to demonstrate what happens to station wear under turnout gear during a flashover. The test revealed the severe dangers of wearing non-FR, synthetic blend garments, which can melt and cause significant additional injuries to a firefighter.
Witness the Results
This burn display shows the stark reality. While the front of the turnout gear, mimicking a firefighter on hands and knees, showed little damage, the exposed back suffered catastrophic failure. The thermal energy penetrated the outer layer, melting the polyester blend station wear underneath and showing how the wrong base layer can lead to devastating injuries.
2025 Burn Test Follow-Up: The Critical Role of FR Station Wear
Building on the vital lessons from 2022, a follow-up test was conducted in 2025. This time, the simulation compared the performance of non-FR synthetic garments against proper, flame-resistant (FR) station wear in the same extreme flashover conditions. The results were clear and conclusive.
FR Materials Cut Burn Injuries in Half
The follow-up test provided undeniable proof: choosing the right base layer is a critical decision. While the mannequin wearing synthetic materials sustained an estimated 36% total body surface area burns, the one protected by FR station wear saw that number cut in half. This significant reduction in injury severity underscores a fundamental truth: what you wear under your turnout gear matters.
In 2022, Workrite Fire Service, in partnership with Chesterfield Fire & EMS and the Evan Haynes Burn Center, conducted a crucial burn simulation. The goal was to demonstrate what happens to station wear under turnout gear during a flashover. The test revealed the severe dangers of wearing non-FR, synthetic blend garments, which can melt and cause significant additional injuries to a firefighter.
The 2022 Chesterfield Burn Test
Witness the Results
This burn display shows the stark reality. While the front of the turnout gear, mimicking a firefighter on hands and knees, showed little damage, the exposed back suffered catastrophic failure. The thermal energy penetrated the outer layer, melting the polyester blend station wear underneath and showing how the wrong base layer can lead to devastating injuries.
2025 Burn Test Follow-Up: The Critical Role of FR Station Wear
Building on the vital lessons from 2022, a follow-up test was conducted in 2025. This time, the simulation compared the performance of non-FR synthetic garments against proper, flame-resistant (FR) station wear in the same extreme flashover conditions. The results were clear and conclusive.
FR Materials Cut Burn Injuries in Half
The follow-up test provided undeniable proof: choosing the right base layer is a critical decision. While the mannequin wearing synthetic materials sustained an estimated 36% total body surface area burns, the one protected by FR station wear saw that number cut in half. This significant reduction in injury severity underscores a fundamental truth: what you wear under your turnout gear matters.