PROXIMITY FIRE-FIGHTING SUIT

The proximity fire-fighting suit (fig. 6-32) provides you with thermal protection while you approach and operate close to large fires. It also allows you to enter overheated or steam-filled compartments to bring fires under control, conduct a rapid investigation after the fire is under control, and to rescue aircraft personnel when a crash fire occurs. It cannot be used to move through flames or through burning liquid fuels.

The proximity fire-fighting suit consists of a two-piece pants and coat outfit, gloves, a hood, and boots. The hood provides a covering over the oxygen breathing apparatus when it is worn. The material used in the pants and coat, gloves, and hood is asbestos cotton, aluminized on the outside for reflective purposes. The boots are rubber. The proximity suit also resists the penetration of liquids.

ATMOSPHERE TESTING DEVICES

All closed or poorly ventilated compartments, particularly those in which a fire has just occurred,

Figure 6-32.-Proximity suit.

are potentially dangerous. The atmosphere may lack oxygen, contain poisonous gases, or present fire and explosion hazards.

Aboard naval ships, no person may enter any closed compartment or poorly ventilated space until the ship's gas-free engineer, or his authorized representative, has tested the space and declared that it is safe to enter. Before entering, you must comply with all applicable safety and entry precautions. Also, the danger of poisoning, suffocation, ignition of flammable materials, or gases must be eliminated or reduced to the lowest practicable minimum.

No job involving hot work, such as welding, cutting, or grinding may be done aboard naval ships until the gas-free engineer, or his authorized representative, has inspected the place where the work is to be done and declared that the applicable safety and entry precautions have been complied with. Also, the space needs to be certified as safe for personnel to work in the area without danger of poisoning or suffocation and that hot work can be undertaken without danger of fire or explosion.

As a Damage Controlman, you may be assigned to act as an authorized representative of the gas-free engineer. Therefore, it is very important that you have a thorough knowledge of the equipment used on your ship to test the atmosphere in closed or poorly ventilated compartments. Some of the equipment you will be working with are the oxygen analyzers, combustible gas indicators, and toxic gas detectors.