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Why don't we copy the French Fire Helmet Designs?
One of the coolest things I have ever received in the mail, ever... arrived at my house a couple of days ago. It was from one of the friends I made here on the FFN, and he is from France, where he works as a professional firefighter. Like many firefighters, we both like fire service related things and are involved with trading things back and forth. What amazed me however, was the functional design that I saw first hand.
Up to this point, I have only seen photographs of french firefighters wearing a very unfamiliar fire helmet style. To be honest, I blew off the design because they just did not look like fire helmets. After having the chance to actually wear one, I offer the following insight for those, like myself, who never have had the chance to see what our brothers and sisters across the Atlantic wear for head and face protection.
The world just keeps getting smaller... I invite everyone to take the time to get to know others around the world with the spirit of sharing and providing the most up to date training and response information available. We are not alone, we have each other.
Prenez garde à rester en sécurité, (TCSS)
CBz
The Casque Pompier (Fire Helmet):
Built in Safety Goggles:
Fire Helmet Protective Visor / Heat Shield:
View Through Fire Helmet Protective Visor / Heat Shield:
Fire Helmet Heat Shield:
05-25-2010 Update: I made direct contact today with MSA and spoke with one of two sales reps that have knowledge of the French Gallet F1-SF Firefighter Helmet. Here's what I learned:
• These "French" fire helmets are manufactured by MSA, which is 100% USA owned and is based internationally out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
• MSA bought out the french company Gallet 7-8 years ago, which included this helmet design and manufacturing rights.
• Existing USA style fire helmets are rated to no more than 1500˚F, while this particular style is rated to 1800˚F. Why more? The same technology used by NASA for astronaut helmets visors are incorporated into this design. Both the helmet and face shield reflect the heat, keeping the interior of the helmet cool, with maximum interior helmet temperatures reaching around 95˚F.
• The existing F1-SF helmet does not meet NA standards as mentioned in one of the posts. However, there is such a demand now for this style that MSA is working on providing a NA approved helmet that has the same features but also possesses the necessary impact standards.
• What we are looking at is a glimpse of what the 21st century firefighters are going to be wearing, internationally...
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on
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The retractable face shields just get in the way - they don't really fit over American-style SCBA facepieces. When worn without a SCBA mask, they fog up quickly due to the face shield dropping all the way over your nose and mouth,
I much prefer detachable ESS goggles on my leather - they are literally two snaps away when I need them, but they are in a pocket protected from scratches, heat damage, and smoke staining when I'm not using them.
Neither the Euro goggles or the Defenders have this advantage.
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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
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Ben,
My friend who had this helmet style said the same thing about the retractable faceshield. I also prefer the use of goggles or safety glasses as opposed to any faceshield attached to a helmet.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on
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may the force always be with you... and as mentioned before, on a serious note of course, one must watch out for light saber carrying squirrels. don't laugh, they may be small but remember, they have the light saber, you don't...
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Permalink Reply by lutan1 on
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We are Americans and don't need to follow others we lead the way, so I say stay with American brands and designs
Lead the way?
You've got to be kidding me!!!!!! I haven't laughed so hard in so long- thanks for that Thomas- that's a classic....
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But the difference is Ben, you're making an informed decision. Others weighing in are saying no based on the looks, the fact that it's French, etc. That's where progression can be hampered.
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Permalink Reply by Rafael Szabó on
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Hello!
There are several ways to use the air pack:
The mask on the head is fixed:
On the helmet is fixed:
Information:
interesting: old hungarian firefighter helmets:
Kiskörösi helmet:
1975-1990
Old air pack and helmet
1890
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The French helmet on the back is a so-called in Hungary "Cappy"(Aluminised or Wool-Nomex
neckcurtains), which is protected from falling embers.
Factory data: http://www.msa-hungary.com/fileadmin/msa/leaflets/English/36/36-102...
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Permalink Reply by Vic Silverfish on
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Squirrels with light sabres? My gods, how will I protect my nuts from that?!
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Permalink Reply by Greenman on
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Why do you wear a Traditional style helmet instead of a Metro style helmet? Why do other departments wear Metros instead of Trads? Why do some go with the Jet style helmet (as Cairns calls their European styel helmets)?
All meet the same minimum standards.
Some chose a particular style of helmet based on looks, especially in the Trad vs. Metro debate, while some claim one type or material is safer than others, especially in the leather vs. composite debate.
This is another debate where some believe that the European/Jet style helmet is safer than North American Trad/Metro style helmets. There is some blending of the features from the Euro/Jet style to the NA style helmet, just look at the Cairns Defender eyeshield.
One thought about minimum standards: Don't allow minimum standards to be the highest expectation for your equipment. All similar types of equipment meet the same minimum safety standards, IAW the NFPA, but some go beyond the minimum standards and provide superior protection to other styles.
In the end it is up the Authority Having Jurisdiction to make the best decision they can based on the hazards present in their jurisdiction.
Just my 2¢
Greenman
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Yes, some standards do go beyond the minimum, but the fact remains that what is out there does meet the standards, so it still boils down to a matter of preference and opinion. This thread seeminly is here because a retired FF received this helmet and his opinion is that it is the cats ass, so why don't we "copy" the design. Still boils down to opinion and IMO I don't have the seem feelings towrds this style, nor do I see it as being any safer than what is currently also available.
Yes, it does come down to the jurisdiction for the most part. When I started with this dept we had the metro style helmets and some still wear them. We had the option of purchasing our own traditional style and many did. Now the composite traditionals are the standard here, new hires are issed one as well as those promoted to an officer rank are issued a new one. If the dept chose to go to this, I would wear it, but I don't see this as being any safer or any better than what is out there. I have seen these up close, some things I did like, but to me the cons outweigh the pros and I don't see a reason to "copy" this design.
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I agree.
I wear what my department has decided will be our standard.
If CAPT Busy thinks the Euro Style is the best style of helmet, that's his opinion, and unless he's got the authority to make a decision within his department, then that's all it is.
C'est la vie !!
Greenman
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Permalink Reply by Shaun DeVore on
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yeah i was looking one over last night and the functionality decreases the more i look at it. The way the helmet fits over your head with an air pack on does not look effective. Number one how can you hear to communicate? for two i stopped wearing my chinstrap a while back because of an incident i had i fell partially through a floor and my scba caught the floor joist pushing up into my helmet and my helmet pushed down on my mask causing its seal to be broken. This helmet would be a nightmare trying to reseal your mask chances are you would have to completely remove the helmet. number 3 with the full facepiece down it looks like it would be hot!! Good luck to all you advocates having them but for me, ill keep my traditional helmet, communication is a must on the fireground.
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