DESCRIPTION AND APPLICATION

It is a legal responsibility for companies to provide certain equipment and auxiliary tools for those who are responsible of civil protection in order to shield the various parts of the body from the more immediate dangers and useful for a first fire fighting intervention aimed at evacuation and rescue of people.

Normally these tools must be stored in special cabinets of different dimensions, fitted with two mirrored doors equipped with safety glass useful for a rapid access.

The placement of these cabinets must be in line with what indicated in the evacuation and emergency plan of the company.

The D.P.I. (individual protective equipment) can be divided, according to the various parts of the body and the vital functions to be protected, into seven categories:

D.P.I. for head protection
D.P.I. for eyes protection
D.P.I. for face protection
D.P.I. for trunk and lower limbs protection
D.P.I. for the breathing system protection
D.P.I. for hands protection
D.P.I. for feet protection


D.P.I. for head protection. They consist generally of helmets with or without eyeshade in reinforced plastic material that should be, according to their use, certified CE and in line with the norm EN 443 (Squadre Antincendio Aziendali-Boschive-Vigili del Fuoco).


D.P.I. for eyes protection

They must protect from the heat produced by the hot air and smoke generated by fire. They consist of glasses or eye shields certified CE and according to the EN 166 norm.


D.P.I. for face protection

They consist of replacement harness which are fire retardant and made of NOMEX tissue of various size and eye shields all certified CE.


D.P.I. for trunk and lower limbs protection

They consist of overalls and jackets made of fire retardant material and NOMEX tissue of various weights depending on the use, certified CE and according to the norm 469.


D.P.I. for protection of the respiration system They protect from inhaling dangerous gases (such as carbon monoxide) and smoke which, mixed with air, reduce the oxygen content. The main tools are gas masks and breathing apparatuses.

The most suitable gas masks are those of the faceplate type because they also protect the face and the eyes. For a good protection it is fundamental to adopt a filter system against the poisonous substances that can be generated by the combustion of solid or liquid materials. The technical norm has adopted a system of classification of filters based on a colour for the filter container and on a capital letter of identification. The expiry date of the filter substance is also indicated. The masks have to be certified CE according to the norm EN 136 and EN 140.

The oxygen breathing sets with open cycle and oxygen cylinder work on the basis of two levels pf pressure reduction during the flow from the cylinder to the output valve of the mask:

from 200 atm to 6 atm the first level
from 6 atm to a level compatible with the breathing activity, viz. slightly higher than the atmospheric value.

The oxygen breathing sets with open/closed cycle are no longer in use due to the complication of their functioning and can be divided into two categories:

those where the air flow is regulated upon request. The user through his inhalation creates a depression in the
mask which then produces the opening of the valve for air inflow.
those of the over pressure type which have the advantage to prevent the introduction of contaminated air from
the outside caused by a faulty adherence of the mask to the face.

In choosing the oxygen breathing set the guaranteed duration of the cylinder must be taken into account according to its dimension indicated in litres. These masks must be certified CE according to the norm EN 137.


D.P.I. for hands protection

They consist of gloves with long sleeves made of fire retardant material of the NOMEX tissue of various thickness according to its use with CE certificate and according to the norms EN 407 and EN 659 (Fire Brigade).


D.P.I .for feet protection

They consist of safety boots made of amphibian leather and with fireproof insole and steel toe cap certified CE according to norm EN 345.

The auxiliary tools are numerous and made for specific use.

Fire blankets

They are highly heat resistant and difficult to ignite, have a low conductivity and are made of glass fibre with silicon content. They are of various weights and thickness and must have a CE certificate according to the norm EN 1869.


Hand megaphone for evacuation alarm

It is useful for sending the alarm when no alarm system is available especially in distant areas or where for architectural reasons the alarm sound cannot be heard.


Flashlight

The battery flashlight is useful in case of electric black-outs or failure of emergency lights.


Ropes

They are made of special cordage with a high breaking strength, have different lengths and according to their use they are equipped with snap hooks, thimbles etc. They must be certified CE according to the norms EN 354-EN 358.


Hatchet with cutting hedge

It is equipped with a wooden handle of 85 cm. has a weight of 3000 grams and it is used to break locked doors or for the elimination of obstacles along the escape route.


Crowbar

It is entirely made of metal, 80 cm. long and has a weight of 1500 grams. It is useful for the opening of locked doors or cabinets already on fire containing precious staff or combustible material.


Sledge hammer

Equipped with a wooden handle of 100 cm. has a weight of 500 grams and it is useful for breaking locked doors or eliminating obstacles along the escape route.


Pick-axe

Equipped with a wooden handle of 38 cm. has a weight of 920 grams and it is useful for cutting ropes, cables and wires obstructing the way out or withholding people.


Multi-purpose axe

Equipped with a grip handle of 32 cm. has a weight of 550 grams and it is useful to cut ropes, cables and wires obstructing the way out and also to break open metal objects.


Shovel

Equipped with wooden handle of 180 cm, has a weight of 1250 grams and it is useful to stifle a beginning of fire on moquette, tapestry, paper material and to confine flames on grass areas in woods on fire.


Flabellum

Equipped with a wooden handle of 190 cm. has a weight of 800 grams and it is useful to stifle a beginning of fire on curtains, paper material and grass areas in woods on fire.


Rake

Equipped with a wooden handle of 140 cm. has a weight of 1000 grams and it is useful to confine flames on grass covered grounds and weeds in woods on fire.