EN 13911 sets the requirements for firefighters' hoods. This is the item that closes the one remaining gap in firefighting kit: the neck and ears between the helmet and the coat collar.
Why that gap is critical
The skin of the neck and ears is among the thinnest and most sensitive on the body. Statistically it was the area burned most often before hoods became standard. The ear is also a firefighter's natural heat sensor — a burning ear is a signal that the space is becoming dangerous.
Requirements
- Flame-resistant material that does not melt, adhere to skin or shrink.
- A snug, elastic fit around the face opening that does not disturb the seal of the breathing apparatus facepiece.
- Enough length over the shoulders to tuck under the coat and leave no gap.
- Retention of performance after the declared number of wash cycles.
Some modern hoods incorporate a particulate barrier, reducing absorption of carcinogenic combustion products through the skin — an important line of defence against occupational cancer.