What Is NFPA 1970?

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is an independent nonprofit organization that establishes standards, guidelines and codes for safer and more effective firefighting. In August 2024, it introduced NFPA 1970, which sets equipment design, testing, certification and performance requirements.

The NFPA itself does not have the authority to enforce codes. However, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) uses NFPA standards when crafting its own workplace requirements and will penalize organizations that do not comply.

The NFPA Consolidation Standard Explained

The NFPA 1970 combines these four standards to streamline compliance:

NFPA 1971 for protective ensembles
NFPA 1975 for emergency services work apparel
NFPA 1981 for Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
NFPA 1982 for Personal Alert Safety Systems (PASS)

Critical Changes You Need to Know

The NFPA 1970 standard introduces several gear-specific updates that will directly impact your equipment purchases and maintenance practices. These include changes for:

Hoods: Firefighting hoods now require mandatory particle-blocking capabilities of up to 90% or more, including the seams, and must be available in multiple sizes for a better fit.
Helmets: Fire helmet specifications now include a ⅝-inch increase in chin strap width, and all soft goods must be removable and reinstallable within 20 minutes to streamline cleaning and inspections.
Garments: Firefighter garments now face stricter testing standards, including new evaporative resistance requirements for breathability, flame resistance, contamination removal and UV exposure.
PFAS standards: Gear can include a voluntary non-perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) label if its total fluorine content is below 100 ppm.
SCBA equipment: These systems must meet higher electrical safety and integration standards.

How the NFPA 1970 Impacts Your Department

To meet NFPA 1970 compliance, firefighting departments must:

Budget for new or upgraded gear to meet NFPA 1970 requirements.
Plan for training on new standards and labeling practices.
Update documentation and compliance procedures.
Consider outsourcing testing and cleaning to ensure compliance.

Partner With Us for NFPA 1970 Compliance

Professional services eliminate the burden of in-house compliance management while ensuring your equipment consistently meets NFPA 1970 standards. At Bunker Gear Specialists, we've spent decades perfecting firefighter equipment services, and we're positioned to help your department navigate NFPA 1970 requirements.

Our comprehensive services include gear cleaning and testing across all brands. We also offer custom-sized bunker gear tailored to individual firefighters, ensuring proper fit per NFPA 1970 sizing guidelines. Ready to get started?