What Are NFPA Standards for Extrication Gloves?

Protective gear is used by firefighters to prevent injury and to maximize their ability to perform in hostile environments. The National Fire Protection Agency publishes standards for performance traits of high quality gear, such as extrication gloves, that provide companies with the ability to evaluate uniform components quickly. However, the NFPA does not have the legal jurisdiction to enforce its standards.

Design

• Chapter 6 of the guidelines details regulations for the design of extrication gloves. Gloves should be formed to maximize grip and flexibility while maintaining an adequate level of protection. For example, all gloves must provide a minimum of 2 inches of coverage beyond the wrist crease. Additional measurements are listed for the categorization of various glove sizes from XS to 2X.

  NFPA requires that all glove materials reflect heat up to 210 degrees Fahrenheit. While some glove manufacturers claim heat tolerance in excess of 230 degrees Fahrenheit, the NFPA does not conduct tests for tolerance at this level.

Performance Requirements

• Chapter 7 lists the performance standards that must be met by all elements of the firefighter's ensemble, including extrication gloves. Testing methodologies are not included in this section, but NFPA recommends gloves undergo tests to verify their ability to withstand extreme heat and flame.

  To pass testing, the material and glove body must not melt, ignite, separate or shrink during exposure to harsh environments. Extrication gloves must also pass a viral penetration test, in which they demonstrate resistance to blood-borne pathogens.

Testing Methods

• The final chapter of Standard 1971 details the methods for conducting performance tests on all elements of a fireman's ensemble. In an effort to simulate the stress of reuse and a harsh work environment, gloves are repeatedly soaked, dried and baked. To ensure that all gloves tested by the NFPA meet the same level of quality, the test procedures used are detailed and fully replicable. For example, the manual lists the number of wash cycles, weight of each load and drying temperature used in testing. Most of these tests are conducted on swatches of ensemble material. For example, a 2-inch square of glove material is held under a constant flame and observed for heat resistance. However, many of the glove tests involve a completed prototype. For flexibility and sizing tests, sample gloves are worn by product testers. For dangerous heat resistance tests, the gloves are filled with silicone beads and suspended from a wire. Additional tests include cut resistance, shrinkage resistance, liquid penetration resistance and corrosion resistance.