When a fire emergency call comes through, it's time to suit up. Each element of a firefighter's bunker gear is crucial for protection, especially the particulate-blocking firefighting hood, which protects against burns, smoke and particulates. Understanding how particulate blocking hoods work helps you stay compliant and better protect your team.
NFPA 1970: A New Regulation for Firefighter Protective Gear
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) introduced NFPA 1970-2025, a consolidated standard that replaces NFPA 1971 and combines multiple Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements into a single regulation. This new requirement represents a significant shift in making particulate barrier protection mandatory.
NFPA 1970 requires structural firefighting hoods to block at least 90% of particles from 0.1 and 1.0 micrometers, with coverage extending to all seams.
Why Do Particulate-Blocking Hoods Matter?
These layered hoods provide thermal and particulate protection under a firefighter's helmet.
Prioritizes Safety for the Head, Face and Neck
The head, face and neck are among the most vulnerable parts of a firefighter's body. These areas aren't fully covered by standard structural firefighting ensembles, leaving skin exposed to harmful particulates and carcinogens.
Particulate-blocking firefighting hoods surround the head and extend down the neck with a long protective bib. The new NFPA 1970 standard requires this protective layer to cover nearly the entire hood surface with seams taped or sealed to prevent particle passage.
Protects Your Team From Airborne Particulates
Firefighters are at greater risk of inhaling airborne particles and experiencing various health issues, from asthma and nonfatal heart attacks to restricted lung function and difficulty breathing. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognizes two particle pollution categories:
- PM10: Diameters of 10 micrometers or less.
- PM2.5: Diameters of 2.5 micrometers or less.
Particulate blocking hoods now have to block particles with diameters of 0.1 to 1.0 micrometers. The hoods achieve this by allowing only air and moisture to pass through, maintaining breathability while blocking larger particles.
Prevents Higher Cancer Risks
Research by several organizations has shown that firefighters are 9% more likely to develop cancer and 14% more likely to die from cancer compared to the general population. One way to mitigate this risk is to use a protective hood that reduces exposure to carcinogenic particulates.
Find the Right Particulate Blocking Hood for You
Bunker Gear Specialists offers firefighting equipment that meets current NFPA standards and is built to protect your team. Our hood selection includes NFPA 1971-2018-certified options that deliver reliable particulate protection as departments transition to full NFPA 1970 compliance.
New hood options certified to NFPA 1970 with enhanced particulate-blocking technology are coming soon. We're actively adding these to our inventory to ensure your department stays on track with the compliance timeline. Contact our team to learn more and request a quote.
