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Leather Fire Helmet Safety

The leather fire helmet or "leatherhead" is still available, but these must meet the same safety standards as modern materials.

  1. History

    • The leather fire helmet was conceived in 1740 by Jacobus Turck in New York City. Over time, manufacturers made helmets out of aluminum, fiberglass, and composites.

    Standards

    • All helmets (leather and otherwise) must meet the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1971 Standard on Protective Ensemble for Structural and Proximity Fire Fighting outlines design and performance criteria for resistance to impact; contact with electrical wires; high heat and flame exposure; and weight and comfort.

    Construction

    • While leather is a classic material, today manufacturers use modern materials (including Nomex thread and chin straps), to meet safety standards.

    Care

    • Leather can soften and degrade in ways that composites cannot. Phenix Fire Helmets strongly warns against using hydrocarbons to clean its leather helmets, and voids its warranty if a firefighter repaints the helmet with anything other than recommended paints.

    Wear

    • The safety of a leather helmet is typically compromised by cracks and burned stitching.

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