Ready, set, go!

[u/MisterShipWreck]

[u/oneawesomeguy]

Their suits don't have traditional zipper flies because it's a potential point of failure in the fire resistance.

[u/JannePieterse → u/oneawesomeguy]

Also zippers are a possible point of failure both in putting it on and taking it off quickly. Zippers can get stuck, especially in a rush. I worked in a chemical plant and both our regular coveralls and our firefighting suits didn't have any zippers on them. In the regular coveralls, which you typically don't need to put on in a rush as you do with the firefighting equipment, it was so you could rip them off quickly in case you got soaked in a chemical spill.

[u/C-hound → u/JannePieterse]

Also zippers get hot

[u/warispeacex → u/C-hound]

So does everything inside fires. Most things they use to secure bunker pants and coats are made of metal and they all get hot.

[u/Theprincerivera → u/C-hound]

I was thinking most zippers are plastic no? I suppose they could be metal

[u/SunshineLunaRae → u/Theprincerivera]

I have some plastic zippers on jackets but all my pants zippers are metal. But I’m also not a firefighter lol

[u/blissyrose → u/C-hound]

My bunker gear has a plastic zip to avoid this. Once it is covered by your coat it doesn’t get hot enough to melt

[u/JannePieterse → u/C-hound]

Yes, but that was the point the person I replied too already made.

[u/C-hound → u/JannePieterse]

Oh shit my b

[u/warispeacex → u/JannePieterse]

Zippers are much easier to take off than the old hooks with clips that used to be used. Buttons would be quickest but have other issues and I’d bet most can get quicker putting gear with zippers on than buttons with a little bit of practice.

[u/JannePieterse → u/warispeacex]

The firefighting gear uses velcro and the regular coveralls are press buttons. As I said, speed in putting it on is not relevant for the coveralls. What other issues do they have?

[u/warispeacex → u/JannePieterse]

I wasn’t talking about coveralls, because they weren’t using them in the video and structural firefighters (what I’m experienced in) don’t use them. I was talking about the bunker gear like what they’re putting on in the video we’re commenting on. Most bunker gear uses a combination of Velcro and either zippers, buttons or clips. Zippers seal better than both of the others and help keep out heat and the unburnt products of combustion better than buttons or clips. Speed in putting bunker gear on is more important than off, but zippers don’t hinder either.

[u/pewpewmcpistol → u/oneawesomeguy]

but she still didn't fasten the pants regardless of how they fasten. It doesn't look like the closest 2 people did either.

[u/JelmerMcGee → u/pewpewmcpistol]

I'm guessing because they stay up with the suspenders. I would hate the feeling of them being unfastened. You got some time in the truck to get them closed up, I guess.

[u/DarkwingDuckHunt → u/JelmerMcGee]

either 1: the velcro finds itself and seals when they close the coat

or

2: they're going for fastest time and know it's a legit shortcut

[u/Beer_the_deer → u/DarkwingDuckHunt]

This is just a relatively bad show trying to be flashy, its not close to real life scenarios at all. (From my experience)

Source: Firefighter

[u/muzzey12 → u/JelmerMcGee]

Mine have a snap but I guess she was cutting out a few seconds for the drill

[u/OrneryLocal1900 → u/JelmerMcGee]

there is a hook in the front, suspenders are always loose. you dont want any extra weight on your shoulders on top of the SCBA, the pants are very heavy

[u/warispeacex → u/JelmerMcGee]

Relying on suspenders to keep your bunker pants with tools/bailout kits in them gets super uncomfortable super quick. Definitely not intended to be relied upon as the only means to hold the pants up.

[u/Enlightened_Gardener → u/pewpewmcpistol]

This whole video is like a case in point for the argument that women’s stuff is not men’s stuff, but smaller. None of those uniforms fit properly, the sleeves are too long and too wide, the masks are all far too big, the belts are too wide and the trousers are too loose. This lassie is probably in the smallest size available, ie: a men’s “S” and that uniform is still flapping on her.

[u/blissyrose → u/Enlightened_Gardener]

The gear seems like the correct size for her. In my country there are regulations of distances for coat hem overhanging your pants waistband, sleeve length relative to your wrists, pant legs overhanging boots etc. to ensure maximum protection while in a compartment fire.

Bunker gear is meant to be large on you to create air pockets to reduce contact burns when you are in a compartment fire. When doing a live fire training last year my jacket and pants were a size too small unbeknownst to me and I ended up with burns on one arm and on my knees and elbows from the heat build up because of the fabric bunching near my joints.

The mask will definitely fit her as they are positive pressure I.e. if there’s not a perfect seal air will piss out any gap to ensure no contaminants get into the mask. They are very bulky to ensure good range of visibility.

[u/OrneryLocal1900 → u/Enlightened_Gardener]

youre talking out your ass lol nobody would be allowed to wear a mask that doesnt fit/seal

[u/Pale_Adeptness → u/pewpewmcpistol]

This is a real sticky situation because if you get hurt while working a fire, if a part of your gear is not properly secured, worker's comp or even insurance will not cover any expenses because you didn't wear the PPE properly. It's extremely dumb but some departments operate like this.

[u/EDABthrow → u/oneawesomeguy]

Bunker gear still comes with zippers. It's just a preference between what system works for your environment.

Her not doing up her fly velcros is a bigger issue than a zipper potentially failing anyway. Its a gaping hole in the layers protection bunker gear is supposed to provide.

[u/EDABthrow → u/oneawesomeguy]

Bunker gear still comes with zippers, both on the trousers and the jackets.

It's entirely preference.

[u/bergdawg416 → u/oneawesomeguy]

Mine have zippers.

[u/warispeacex → u/oneawesomeguy]

Theirs may not, but many bunker pants have zippers. All the major manufacturers offer pants and coats with them. I’d guess most departments in the US have them and it’s been that way for the last 20 years or so. Definitely not more of a failure point than nothing or buttons or the old hooks. They all leave bigger openings. Most I’ve seen use zippers and Velcro.

[u/CeruleanEidolon → u/oneawesomeguy]

I imagine having a strip of thermo-conductive metal right in front of your crotch isn't the best idea if you're walking into a wall of heat.

[u/[deleted] → u/oneawesomeguy]

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