The National Technical Textile Mission (NTTM) has endorsed an innovative initiative titled “Development of Specialized Firefighting Suit.” This project, spearheaded by the Ministry of Textiles of the Government of India, is being carried out by the Northern India Textile Research Association (NITRA) in partnership with M/s System 5S Private Ltd.
These specialized firefighting suits are tailored for use by various sectors, including firefighting and emergency services, defense forces, the oil and gas industry, aerospace and aviation, as well as power plants and thermal industries.
Currently, India relies heavily on imports for specialized fire entry suits from regions like Europe, the U.S., and China, with the local manufacturing industry still in its early stages. The annual demand for these suits is estimated to be around 1,000 sets. However, with the launch of a new Indian-certified aluminized suit, demand is projected to spike, according to a release from the Ministry of Textiles.
As per European Standard EN 1486, which outlines the requirements and testing methods for firefighter protective clothing, these suits must provide full-body protection, including the head, hands, and feet, against radiant heat and flame exposure. The protective gear encompasses a suit, a hood (either integrated or separate), gloves, and over-boots. Additionally, the design accommodates the use of respiratory protection, with variations depending on whether the breathing apparatus is worn inside or outside the clothing.
The specialized firefighting suit developed by M/s System 5S Private Ltd adheres to the EN 1486 and ISO 15538 standards. Its development focuses on ensuring safety, comfort, and ease of wear for firefighters. The suit is constructed using aluminized coated glass fabrics, OPAN (Oxidized Polyacrylonitrile) nonwoven battings, and flame-resistant viscose fabric, with all inner layers quilted for added protection.
The industrial partner has commenced manufacturing these suits for trial purposes, with commercial production set to begin once the fire manikin testing is successfully completed in accordance with the EN ISO 13506 standard, which evaluates the performance of protective clothing against heat and flames. System 5S Pvt Ltd anticipates an annual production capacity of 1,000 suits following this commercialization.
