§ 3406. Body Protection.

(a) Body protection shall be provided for each fire fighter when exposed to the hazards of structural fire fighting activity. Body protection shall consist of turnout clothing or an appropriate combination of a turnout coat and protective clothing meeting the requirements of Section 3406(c).

(b) Turnout Clothing. Performance, construction, testing and certification of fire fighter turnout clothing shall be at least equivalent to the requirements of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) publication 1971 (1981), “Protective Clothing for Structural Fire Fighting,” with the following permissible variations in those requirements:

(1) Liner may be detachable but the shell shall not be used as turnout clothing without the liner.

(2) To achieve increased ventilation of trapped body heat, the protective clothing outer shell and impermeable vapor barrier may be penetrated by ventilation openings protected by nonmetallic flame resistant materials equal to this standard. Openings in the coat shall be restricted to the underside of the upper arm, and the upper portion of the front and back. Openings in the trousers shall be restricted to the areas of the groin and the outseam of the leg between the knee and the waist band. Water deflecting flaps shall be required for all openings except underarm and groin area openings. Openings in the liner are not permitted except underarm and groin area unless protected by an insulating flap. Vents shall be made of nonmetallic flame resistant materials equal to this standard.

(3) Tearing strength of the outer shell shall be a minimum of eight pounds in any direction.

(4) Flame resistance, including that of trim, shall not exceed:

(A) 2.0 seconds after-flame (maximum)

(B) 8.0 seconds after-glow (maximum).

(5) The outer shell and lining may char or discolor but must retain heat resistance as specified in Section 3406(b)(4) and shall not separate or melt when placed in a forced air laboratory oven at a temperature of 500 F (260 ° C) for a period of 5 minutes.

(c) Protective Clothing. Protective clothing, other than turnout clothing, shall meet the following minimum performance requirements:

(1) Flame Resistance. When tested in accordance with Federal Test 191, Method 5903.2, “Flame Resistance of Cloth, Vertical” (Standard small scale test), test results shall not exceed the following limits:

(A) 2.0 seconds after-flame (maximum)

(B) 8.0 seconds after-glow (maximum)

(C) 6.0 inches average char-length.

(2) Ignition of the material shall not produce any melting and dripping of molten or flaming material. It is specifically required that upon exposure to flaming ignition, or to heat sufficient to char the fabric, the material will not adhere to the skin of the wearer so as to cause or contribute to the severity of burns.

Exception: Outer garments of 100% wool, with a weight of at least 14 ounces per lineal yard of 54-inch width shall be considered as sufficiently flame resistant for such use.

(3) Certification. Garments shall be certified to meet the requirements of Section 3406(c)(1), flame resistance; and as defined in Section 3402.

(4) A durable label shall be permanently attached and shall include the following information:

(A) Lot Number;

(B) Name and number of specified test; and

(C) Date of specified test.

(d) Turnout coats in combination with turnout trousers, or turnout coats and protective clothing meeting the requirements of Section 3406(c) shall be worn on all structural fires. Body protection provided for other than structural fires shall be appropriate for the potential hazards.

HISTORY

1. Amendment of Subsections (b)(4)(B) and (c)(1)(B) filed 9-6-79; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 79, No. 36).

2. Amendment of subsections (a), (b)(5) and (c)(2) filed 9-11-80; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 80, No. 37).

3. Amendment filed 4-29-85; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 85, No. 18).

4. Amendment of subsection (b)(4)(B) and repealer of subsection (b)(4)(C) filed 8-28-96; operative 9-27-96 (Register 96, No. 35).

Note

Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.