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Imported PPE
What is generally the attitude of the fire service regarding imported PPE? What if some or most of the components materials of a product are U.S. made but the final assembly is overseas, is that a factor to consider?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on
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If it meets or exceeds NFPA I really don't care....I would prefer it to be "Made in the USA" but our politicians took that away with NAFTA agreement......Only thing now "Made in the USA" are hookers and Beer.......I guess we are ok for now....LOL
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Permalink Reply by Vic Silverfish on
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I can't imagine any department letting you wear non-standard PPE. To get insured, I would think it would need to meet NFPA (or whatever local standard you follow - here in Australia it's AS 4867, I think). Your crew will probably object to the American jobs going overseas. All of our kit is made here in Australia. At the end of the day the taxpayers decide if nationalism trumps economy.
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Vic, I believe they are talking about equipment that has components made overseas....for example if Scott had parts made in China or something like that (Not that they do)
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Permalink Reply by Rusty Mancini on
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A question I have is, who is over seeing the production of the the product being assembled, is it to standards? Would their be someone from the US looking over their shoulder making sure all the components are going together properly, Quality assurance would be a key factor! Just saying.....!
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Permalink Reply by andrew shapiro on
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I'm thinking not only jackets and pants but helmets, boots and gloves as well, all of which are already being imported and are NFPA 1971 compliant. The union reps in some departments have occasionally ambushed these products just on "principal" alone.
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good question. a factory manufacturing PPE overseas that is compliant to NFPA 1971 will undergo the same twice a year surveillance audits as a domestic factory. audits are performed by the indepedent third party certifying body (SEI or UL) as part of NFPA compliance. In addition, overseas or domestic factories will be auditied annually as part of their ISO 9001 rating which is required under NFPA 1971. These audits focus on Quality Management Systems and all areas of production. Random specimens from bulk production are selected and subject to lab re- tests for compliance to the physical requirements of NFPA 1971, repeating the testing done during the initial certification of that product.
The audit by the certifying bodyfor NFPA compliance (SEI or UL) is usually very product focused while the ISO audit is very Quality Managemenbt System focused. There is some overlapping inevitably.
Often but not always, these cases involve US based companies that use overseas manufactuing. facilities.
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Permalink Reply by Willie Bermingham on
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I was reminded of the fact that all our ppe is designed by someone who will never wear it and is always bought from the cheapest suppliers. Take from that what you will!
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lol. but the first "fact" might not be a bad thing. For example if I were a firefighting boot designer (and a firefighter) with extra wide feet I might prejudice my design toward my own condition and previous on the job experience with boots. I might not allow much room for outside feedback and that could possibly be construed as a negative.
But if I were designing those boots and not a firefighter, heck I better keep my ears open and get as much of a broad range of feedback (positive and negative) as possible. Plus I would not be prejudiced by my own previous experience. Just a thought...
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Permalink Reply by Chris Moyer on
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We just started using Bristol fire gear its from England. Havent been in a fire with it yet though. But so far it seems alright.
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