Does anyone know if any progress has been made on flash hoods being approved for use by the CFS? Went to a job the other week (structure related) and was asked by the MFS station officer "do your guys have flash hoods?"
Sorry if this topic is elswhere on this site but i couldnt seem to find it.
I havent heard anything.....
surely cfs would role some out as soon as they are approved... one would hope.
Most brigades use them anywya dont they? Maybe CFs just decided to let the whole issue go as they were being used anyway...
I have read a submission written by State Training Staff to have flash hoods adopted. So who knows how long it will take, but in the meantime I use one and so do many others.
It would be hard for CFS to challenge any fire fighter for purchasing and using gear that enhances protection. Ofcourse you need to have been trained in it's use.
FLash Hoods ..... I was at the Region 2 Volinteer Managment Meeting (RVMM)a couple of months ago and that group (On behalf of all volunteers within Region 2) supported the principle of adopting a (Structural) flash hood for use by CABA operators. There has to be a FGP written, and SOP developed, type of flash hood (Must meet appropriate standards) etc etc etc.... Mr Bret Pollini is as far as i know looking after the matter. It was also said at this RVMM that NO flash hoods should be worn until this policy and type are endorsed. I would however er on the side of caution if i was to see someone using one as if it did not meet the appropriate standard (which ever that may be) and something was to happen to the operator ???? who knows what ramifications there could be. Howver i do think that we are years behind, and they should not be wasting any time getting them adopted for use.. By the way funding for flash hoods will come from current budgets. ie. no extra money will be given to groups / brigades for the purchase of flash hoods.
Funny situation I guess.
HYPOTHETICALLY.. If the following were to happen... :
A Fire Fighter was donning B.A, and pulled his Flash hood on, and was informed by OIC to take off the hood, the said fire fighter receives.. Ear and upper neck burns...While fighting the fire... (Structural fire)... Claiming if he had the hood on he would have been alright..
I think the Inquest / Work place safety would seriously look into why the Fire Fighter was ordered to take OFF additional safety equip.. and was then injured because of it!
Would be a very quick way for a policy to get written!
The above was a hypothetical, and to my knowledge has not happend to anyone..
F.Y.I FLASH HOODS ARE NOW APPROVED STANDARD PPE FOR LEVEL 3
Saw this on the paging site. Anyone had official conformation?
pardon the insolence, but what are flash hoods?
Fire proof balaclava!
Worn to protect the head and neck area on a fire fighter - it is worn under the helmet, the bottom tucks into the turn out coat with the rim sitting on the face mask of the BA, providing total protection to the fire fighter.
ok sweet thanks for that. yeah they sound good. I suppose they're similar to the anti flash gear the navy use???
Yes very similar to what the Navy use (probally from the same AS/NZS standard)
A heavier duty to what motor sport drivers and firies wear.
Heres a sample photos - thanks to the Fire and Rescue Australia website (a seller of flash hoods)
what were we saying about firies having a mo????.... hehe.
yeah look at that thing. perfectly trimmed to the borders of the flash hood! this guy must spend a lot of time modelling these babys!
So flash hoods are approved ??
:?
ask region... LOL
ha
Well something must be happening with Flashhoods, there was a call for tender to supply 'Fire Fighter Protective Hoods for the S.A. Country Fire Service' in the Tenders section of todays paper (pg59).
At a guess I would say we are about to go from not having them approved to having them supplied to all B.A. operators.
Here are the specs needed
FIRE FIGHTER PROTECTIVE HOOD - STRUCTURAL
Fabric
Content 20% Nomex, 80% Lenzing FR
Construction 1 x 1 Rib Knit
Weight 8 ounces per square yard (240 grms)
Stretch 100%
Head Design
Style Full Shoulder
Separate head with sewn on back and front bib
Layers Two
Length 13" (32cms)
Width Top of face opening to back seam, 8.5" (21cm)
Middle of face opening to back of seam, 6.5" (16cm)
Bottom of face opening to back seam, 10.5" (26cm)
Crown Area Four inches (10cm) from top of crown to top of face opening
Bib Design
A two piece double layer yoke style bib is sewn to the head and forms a neck seam. The back bib extends 8" (20cm) down the back. The front bib extends 6" (15cm) down the front. The front and back bibs are joined at the shoulder to form a 3" shoulder seam on either side of the head.
Face Opening
Face opening sewn with half inch elastic.
Relaxed measurement, 5 – 5.5" (14cm).
Fully stretched, exceeds 15" (38cm)
Construction
All seams will conform to those stitch types specified in ASTM D6193
Major Seams – initial seam sewn with Stitch Type 504 and then sewn over . . flattened with Stitch Type 605
Optional Head Seam – flat lock seam sewn with Stitch Type 607
Face Opening – elastic is sewn to the edge of face opening with Stitch Type 504,
Turned under and overseam with Stitch Type 402 to totally cover elastic
Binding – one and a half inch (3.75cm) building is sewn to the hem through folder
With Stitch Type 402 to create a 0.5" (1.3cm) finished bound hem
Thread – 100% Nomex : UL component recognised to NFPA 1971-2000 edition
Certification - must be certified and meet NFPA Standard 1971 – 2000 edition,
ISO 9001:2000
Did hear that they would be issued with PBI gold in the future to ensure that the correct flash-hood was used.
Yes that tender is for 1300 of them with an option for another 200.
I would say the money would come out of that $2m PPE grant.
there are 3 good things about flash hoods
1) they won't cost the world
2)they fit easily into your jacket pocket
3)they work
botom line - flash hoods = good.
It went to tender on Tuesday was in the paper and on the net
well there you go! I thought we'd be getting them
Bout time...
I wont go into a going structure without it..
what i dont understand is why the tender is only for 1300.....isnt there like 2500 BA operators?
Camo
Maybe they go to the brigade and you share them.
Quote from: Camo on March 24, 2006, 02:31:38 PM
what i dont understand is why the tender is only for 1300.....isnt there like 2500 BA operators?
Camo
Apparently there is only around 1400 BA operators in the CFS, hence the funding for almost the exact amount of PBI gold.
^^
Yep.
but didnt the government fund for 2000 sets of PBI?
Camo
Maybe the extra money will go towards flash hoods, they also bought proban 2 piece for those who only had overalls with the dosh.
I think the CFS funded for extra PBI so when it's being cleaned by the manufacturer after jobs there are spares sets to hand out, correct me if I'm wrong though :-)
So you have world class gear supplied to you and they are offering to launder it for you and certify it serviceable and fit for purpose. Yeah a real pain!
I have been talking to some CFA friends and they have not taken up the lion offer of cleaning the gear but can take it to a industral lanudry as long as they have the correct gear to clean it with. Lion must supply cleaning instructions with all sets of gear that are sent out...
Is there a Lion base in SA, so it can be cleaned and returned promptly?
Firstly, Yes Lion are here in SA. Secondly, surely someone who make the PPC is in the best position to clean / maintain it. This way like Firefrog says, they certify it suitable to return to service, rather than Jo Blow from XYZ Dry cleaners, cleaning it, getting his money and he don't really care (or know) what the real purpose of the stuff he just cleaned is.
Lastly, don't hold your breath about getting flash hoods real soon. It still has a long process to run before they can be purchased. Tender is to get pricing etc and a plan in place for when it does happen.
We are a bit off topic here but the other good thing about the gear going to lion to be cleaned is they can fix any loose stitching etc.
We wash ours with a hose to get the most of the dirt off and send it away every now and then for a proper clean.
Quote13:19:40 22-07-06 MV INFO: FROM DGO1 FLASHHOODS ARE NOW TO BE WORN TO ALL POTENTIAL B.A. INCIDENTS, TRAINING FOR THOSE THAT HAVE NOT DONE IT WILL HAPPEN MONDAY NIGHT. ALSO WILL BE DOING FIRE PANEL AND RECIPRO SAW TRAINING - LT1 - MAWSON BASE
Flash hoods are now in vogue :-D
Are these being issued with the new CFS PBI stuff?
A couple of our operators got there gear a couple of weeks back and no there was no flash hood with them.
Does anyone know whether the tender has progressed that was advertised a while back.
Our PBI arrived a couple of weeks ago with flash hoods. I heard all gear now was being delivered with them.
which group/region are you in? Might be a group/region decision if they are delivered with PBI or not?
Don think you get a choice whether you get flash hoods or not. Might pay to check with your regional office.
Last I Heard Was All New Gear Issued Is Getting Flash Hoods. But I Have Yet To See My Gear So When I Do It Will Be Interesting To See.
Quote from: CyberCitizen on July 25, 2006, 12:30:39 PM
Last I Heard Was All New Gear Issued Is Getting Flash Hoods. But I Have Yet To See My Gear So When I Do It Will Be Interesting To See.
we have received flash hoods with all of our new sets of PBI gold within our group from my knowledge.