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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 Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on
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You are spot on even though I found the feel and look to be no different than my motorcycle helmet and this includes peripheral vision. It's also surprisingly cool to wear but I still, like yourself, would prefer my wildland helmet.
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I love the sentiment but being realistic here, what is actually made in american anymore? The French helmets are made by MSA, which is an international company. Departments here in the US use a lot of different MSA products.
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Helmets are made using the exact same polycarbonate shell as seen in the traditional USA styled helmets... Translating the french to english, the helmets are designed to withstand 1800˚F. The highest temperature rating I could find for a USA fire helmet was 1000-1500˚F. The internal temperature of the helmet in these extreme conditions are rated at around 95˚F. They use wool as one of the internal helmet insulators to keep it cool. You also have complete / full face & head protection from thermal insult. It is part of the ensemble to also wear a stocking cap, presumably nomex, to provide additional protection. After wearing one, I felt a lot safer. There really is no difference between wearing a motorcycle helmet and the french fire helmet.
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Basting the turkey, or taking the drippings in the bottom of the pan, and 'basting' them over the turkey is one definition. A 'turkey baster', is a device used to suck the liquids and inject them into the turkey.
You can also use turkey basters to add or remove brake fluid...
Hope this helps you understand things better Tony... CBz
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Permalink Reply by FETC on
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Damn CBZ I would have retired and decided to stay home if the Mrs was making turkey with that...... fine basting technique!
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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
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a USA motorcycle helmet is pretty much identical to the french fire helmet sans the ridge on the top and the ARFF material flap on the back of the helmet.
There are also a variety of different motorcycle helmets out there as well and is up the the rider in what they choose as a style that best fits them. Difference is that safety does differ with motorcycle styles, an open face or skull cap helmet doesn't offer the same as a full face. However, the full face has disadvantages as well, like heat retention and so forth, so again it is preference. However, when it comes to fire service helmets, the standards are the same for all helmets despite how they look.
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While I can not argue against your points, I can question the peripheral vision comment. There is no difference at all between a motorcycle helmet and one of the french helmets. The side cut away is identical, not interfering at all with peripheral vision.
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Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on
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Those are deffinite Basters!
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Some traditions ARE worth holding on to...but not just because of the way they LOOK. It should always be about performance and our safety. Remember we have 1*. Speaking of age old tradition - these European fire helmets have a longer tradition than our leathers - they harken back to Roman Centurian's helmets.
So you are basically advocating this helmet is "safer" and perform better then, correct. Got actual facts backing up such a claim, because I can look at the standards for a traditional leather, a composite leather, a salad bowl, etc and they all must meet the same fire service standards. So can you really argue that one is really safer? Not buying into that.
As for traditions, my roots do not come from a European fire dept, but instead from the American fire service. My composite tradition helmet meets the same standards as this helmet and I prefer my helmet over this. This is my opinion and there is no reason to switch a helmet style because one may think this helmet is superior. There are pros and cons to everything, not just looks, and I find the pros of what I have outweighs the cons I find with this style.
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All I have to go on right now are photos that depict the same backpack style round cylinder bottles that we all use. The only difference is that MSA makes a SCBA that clips into this helmet.
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Very insightful comment Mac. My observation of the helmet is that MSA Europe adapted fighter pilot helmet design technology into the helmets worn by firefighters.
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good luck Roy, I was translating data off this PDF file to learn more about the helmet and the specs... CBz
http://www.msa-gallet.fr/fileadmin/msa/leaflets/French/36/36-106.2_...
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