Gear Info

The term “PFAS” describes a category of chemicals that can include several thousand different substances. There is no universal definition of PFAS. A recent federal government report describes PFAS as “a class of organofluorine chemicals that have been manufactured and used for decades,” and states that “[b]ecause PFAS can confer resistance to oil and water and withstand high temperatures, they are used in a variety of applications, including firefighting foams, food packaging and contact materials, textiles, and various industrial uses.” Report from the PFAS Strategy Team, National Science and Technology Council (March 2023), available here.

No. At Globe, we do not manufacture PFAS or use them in making our products. Globe sources technical fabrics from the same textile manufacturers that supply all U.S. turnout gear providers. These protective fabrics have been tested and certified to meet industry standards, and some of them as supplied to Globe contain or historically have contained PFAS to achieve performance characteristics such as water, oil, or chemical resistance.

No. Globe builds its turnout gear from technical fabrics sourced from a small pool of specialty textile manufacturers who supply the entire U.S. fire service industry.

Globe builds what is known in the industry as “structural” turnout gear, which is designed to provide protection against burn injuries and other hazards over a wide range of conditions while minimizing heat stress to the firefighter. Current performance standards for structural turnout gear are established by the National Fire Protection Association in NFPA 1971, the NFPA Standard for Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting, 2018 Edition.

Turnout gear coats and pants are comprised of three layers—an outer shell, moisture barrier, and thermal liner. Each layer is independently tested against NFPA 1971 requirements to ensure they can withstand the harsh environments to which firefighters may be exposed. The combined ensemble provides protection against fireground hazards including heat, flames, water, oil, chemicals, and bloodborne pathogens.

The NFPA 1971 standard is currently in revision as part of the NFPA’s Emergency Response and Responder Safety Document Consolidation Plan. As part of that revision, changes to testing requirements are anticipated that may allow more alternative materials to qualify. The new standard is expected to go into effect in 2024 or 2025 and is slated to be a consolidated standard known as NFPA 1970, the NFPA Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural and Proximity Firefighting, Work Apparel and Open-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for Emergency Services, and Personal Alert Safety Systems (PASS).

Yes. As of March 1, 2024, with the introduction of a new moisture barrier option from Stedfast, Globe customers are now able to order an NFPA-1971 certified ensemble that is made without intentionally added PFAS.

NFPA-compliant turnout gear consists of a three-layer ensemble made up of an outer shell, moisture barrier, and thermal liner with each layer performing an important function. Here’s the latest on current options for each layer.

Outer shells: Thanks to recent innovations from industry fabric suppliers, all but one of the outer shells Globe offers now feature a durable water repellent finish with no added PFAS. Globe is working to deploy the new finish for Gold color PBI Stretch material that is used in Globe ATHLETIX™ outer shells, which helps ATHLETIX™ deliver flexibility and increased range of motion. Globe is working with our PBI Stretch supplier to bring the same new finish to the Black color material for ATHLETIX™.

Moisture barriers: Until recently, all NFPA-compliant moisture barriers available on the market contained PFAS in some form. Industry textile suppliers have been innovating in this area, and multiple textile suppliers have recently had non-PFAS-based moisture barrier materials certified as components to the NFPA 1971, 2018 edition standard. Starting March 1, 2024 Globe is now able to offer one of these new materials, StedAIR® CLEAR, as an option for structural turnout gear. According to the manufacturer, StedAIR® CLEAR is made without intentionally added PFAS and is certified to OEKO-TEX® Standard 100. StedAIR® CLEAR is available in a limited number of approved 3-layer composites, with more expected to be added in the future. As the industry evolves, Globe will continue working to evaluate additional new materials as they become available.

Thermal liners: None of Globe’s thermal liners are made with PFAS components.

Globe Guard™ Exposure Reduction System: According to our suppliers, the materials used in the particulate blocking Globe Guard™ Hood are not made with PFAS. Other elements of the Globe Guard™ Exposure Reduction System may feature moisture barrier material, certain of which contains PFAS as noted above. The Neoprene®/ TECASAFE® PLUS material option for the Globe Guard™ Exposure Reduction System does not contain intentionally added PFAS.

Through our collaboration with suppliers, we look forward to supporting the further development of new, non-PFAS-based alternatives while also looking for other textile advancements for the next generation of turnout gear. As always, pursuant to NFPA 1851, fire departments should conduct a risk assessment and select the garment style and materials best suited for their needs.

Yes. Globe has been engaging with its textile suppliers and encouraging them to develop new materials to meet the demand for gear made without PFAS. Beginning in 2021, Globe was able to begin offering outer shell materials featuring a Durable Water Repellent Finish with no added PFAS, thanks to innovations from two of Globe’s suppliers. And in 2024, Globe now offers StedAIR® CLEAR as an option for moisture barriers.

Globe also has been engaged in a long-term, bipartisan advocacy effort on Capitol Hill to advance federal legislation that would support development of next-generation PFAS-free turnout gear materials. On July 20, 2023, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) along with Representatives Sam Graves (R-MO), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Thomas Kean Jr. (R-NJ), Dina Titus (D-NV), Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY), Glenn Ivey (D-MD), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) introduced the Protecting Firefighters and Advancing State-of-the-Art Alternatives Act (the “PFAS Alternatives Act”), H.R. 4769. The bipartisan bill would support the development of next-generation safety materials for firefighter turnout gear that are free of PFAS. Globe supports the PFAS Alternatives Act and looks forward to continuing its long-term advocacy efforts working with congressional champions, the International Association of Fire Fighters, and other stakeholders to advance a companion bill in the U.S. Senate and ultimately see this important bill enacted. Read the Press Release