The introduction of Ships Wheel CE Marking for European Union registered vessels brought about more changes to the Fireman's Outfit than any other marine safety equipment contained in the European Marine Equipment Directive. The changes have had a major impact, increasing the prices of the Ships Wheel approved Fireman's Outfits significantly.
The first difference being the change from a "collectively" approved Fireman's Outfit to approval of all the individual items separately.
The second difference was the introduction of European Norms (EN's) as the minimum standards, which elevated the performance requirements for all the items to a much higher level of protection.
P G Product's policy is to continue the service of providing the whole outfit. We researched the market for complimentary products to go with our Fireguard and Flameguard suits. P G Products holds Ships Wheel approval for the Helmet, Gloves and Boots.
The suit element of the Fireman's Outfit is essentially unchanged. However, there are significant differences affecting the rest of the items.
The traditional SOLAS approved helmet is based on a standard safety helmet, usually of injection moulded construction with limited heat resistance properties. The new helmet has to comply with EN443 - Helmets for Firefighters, which is the standard for professional Firefighters in cities. These are of a more robust construction, with higher heat and impact resistance properties.
Our helmet includes Kevlar in its construction, which brings the performance well above the minimum. The head harness is comfortable, fits a wide range of head sizes, and can be adjusted while being worn. The head harness clamps the helmet securely to the head, even allowing for inversion without falling off.
There is no requirement in the standard for visor or neck curtain, but P G Products feel these are essential and therefore include both features as standard.
The only requirement for gloves in the SOLAS regulations is for them to be electrically non-conductive. The Ships Wheel requirement is completely different, with a significant upgrade in performance to EN659 - Protective Gloves for Firefighters.
The new gloves are lined with loop pile Kevlar and knitted Kevlar cuffs to improve comfort and heat insulation. The back of the loop pile is woven Kevlar to give slash and puncture resistance. This interior is covered in black leather.
However, the new glove cannot meet the non-conductive requirement of SOLAS as EN659 is incompatible with the requirements of EN60903, so Electrician's Gloves to EN60903 are supplied as well to provide protection to 500volts (tested to 2500 volts).
The Ships Wheel approved boots are essentially the same in appearance to conventional safety wellingtons except they are now fire resistant and comply with EN345-2. They are manufactured in rubber (PVC, Nitrile and PU boots do not meet the fire requirement) with protective toecaps.
P G Product's boots also have steel midsoles for extra protection, which is over and above the minimum requirement. The sole unit incorporates ladder grips to reduce the risk of slipping when ascending and descending ladders and stairways.
