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Soon you will be able to choose an entirely new level of protection - an advanced technology turnout suit with additional chemical and biological protection - Globe CB.READY™.
The Project
Developed under contract from the Technical Support Working Group (TSWG) and with funding from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), CB.Ready™ is designed to meet the new CBRN optional requirement contained in NFPA 1971: Standard for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting, 2007 Edition.
The Project Team was led by North Carolina State University including faculty, staff, and graduate students from the Textile Protection and Comfort Center (TPACC) in the College of Textiles. The Globe Design Team contributed garment design, engineering, and prototyping expertise to create this unique solution: CB.READY™.
Firefighter Input
Our top priority was to first bring together firefighters from all over the country to help us define garment requirements. What they told us was crystal clear - give us gear that will provide additional CB protection but don't make it more difficult for us to use every day. They wanted this to be turnout gear first, not hazmat gear, but with everything on board that they would need to protect them for short duration escape and rescue. And they didn't want it to increase heat stress during firefighting operations.
Deployable Protection
So as a result of this firefighter input, Globe's Design Team came up with a unique solution including the use of deployable features that give firefighters the best of both worlds: an everyday firefighter suit that is very similar to what they wear today and, when needed, a hood and a series of quickly activated closures to provide additional CB protection. And as the standard requires complete ensemble testing, we have also developed boots and gloves to interface with our jackets and pants, that are technically advanced and easy to use.
The Next Steps
Although the project has met all of its goals including passing the Man In Simulant Test (MIST), there is much that remains to be done to move from the development phase to full commercialization. Key components need to be field tested and certified prior to building garments, gloves, and footwear. Different brands and styles of SCBA face masks will require variations in hood design. And as part of our product stewardship process, we are planning to run a series of field evaluations at major fire departments throughout the country. And finally, certification testing on the ensemble needs to be completed.
Previewing CB.READY™
So, with the development phase behind us, we are ready today to preview this advanced protective system. CB.READY™ is built on the same chassis and with many of the features and benefits of our acclaimed Globe G-XTREME™ and Cairns REAXTION™ gear, so much of the look and feel of this suit will be familiar. That's what firefighters asked for. The information that follows pays particular attention to the interfaces, closures, and design elements that provide additional CB protection. And we've tried to explain the science, much of which may be new to you, behind this new world of chemical and biological protection.
Double Jacket System
The jacket is made up of two jackets that zip together across the top of the collar. The outer jacket is made from outer shell fabric and provides the same function as the outer shell in regular turnout gear: abrasion resistance, break open resistance, and flame resistance. The inner jacket is made from a CB barrier fabric and a thermal liner. The inner jacket provides liquid and vapor protection, thermal resistance, and includes an integral but hidden hood.
Outer Shell Material
The outer shell material provides abrasion resistance, break open resistance, and flame resistance. Because the test required by the new CBRN option in the NFPA 1971 Standard for liquid chemical penetration requires the CB barrier to be tested in conjunction with a specific outer shell fabric, the range of outer shell fabrics available for each CB barrier may be limited.
CB Barrier Material
The CB barrier is responsible for keeping out a wide range of defined chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals and meet some new requirements for abrasion and flex resistance. The CB barrier also must perform all of the functions of current moisture barrier liners including the new standard’s higher THL values, flame-resistance, liquid penetration resistance, and viral penetration resistance. Several suppliers are currently working toward commercializing these CB barriers.
Ultralight Thermal Liner
Because the CB barrier is beefed up in order to meet more stringent requirements, the thermal liner can be lightened up and still maintain the desired overall system TPP. A slick face cloth helps it to go on and off easily and reduces drag when you are working.
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