FlamePro Global Ltd Structural Firefighter Jacket and Structural Firefighter Trousers — burns risk

Hazard

The firefighter jacket and trousers within the scope of the corrective action have been identified as presenting a risk of burns, as a result of the seams of the thermal lining breaking open and potentially exposing the wearer to excessive heat. The main body of the jacket and trousers is made up of three layers of fabric. The thermal lining is the inner most layer in direct contact with the wearer’s undergarment or station wear. The seams of the thermal lining, which are stitched to other lining pieces during manufacture, started to break open during wear. The areas of the garment where the thermal lining seams had opened would not provide the specified heat resistance, leaving the wearer without adequate heat protection. The firefighting suit met the requirements of EN 469: 2020. However, this standard only requires strength testing of the outermost material. The strength of the thermal lining seams was not tested during the conformity assessment carried out before the product was placed on the market in Great Britain. The firefighter jacket and trousers within the scope of the corrective action do not meet the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2016/425 on personal protective equipment.

Remedy

FlamePro Global Ltd recalled all the affected firefighting jackets and trousers. They replaced the thermal lining with a heavier material with a seam strength exceeding 180 N, which was shown to be sufficient to maintain protection of the wearer during use. The modified structural firefighter suits were conformity assessed and recertified and then returned to the end user. FlamePro Global Ltd will check that the seam strength of all fabrics used to make firefighting suits exceeds 180 N.

Product recall

Measures taken

• Recall of product from end users

Product description

Firefighter’s protective jacket and trousers designed to provide protection for the firefighter’s torso, neck, arms to the wrists, and legs to the ankles during firefighting.