Fireman's Outfit
A complete fireman's outfit combines a self-contained breathing apparatus with a protective suit rated for radiant heat, and SOLAS requires a set number of complete outfits, not just breathing sets, ready within minutes of the alarm.
What to check on a Fireman's Outfit.
6 models from VIKING Life-Saving in Fireman's Outfit. Below: the full model list.
What makes this type
The fireman's outfit is the equipment set that lets a crew member enter a smoke-logged or superheated compartment that would kill anyone without protection: a self-contained breathing apparatus for air, a fire-resistant suit, boots and gloves for thermal protection, and a helmet with visor. It is distinct from a standalone SCBA set used for confined space entry or as an escape set, because SOLAS defines the complete outfit as one unit and requires ships to carry a minimum number of complete sets, with additional spare air cylinders held separately.
Legend
- helmet
- full face mask
- fire-resistant suit
- demand valve
- air cylinder (SCBA)
- safety lamp
- gauntlet gloves
- fireman's axe
- fire-resistant boots
- life line (safety rope)
Main components
Self-contained breathing apparatus
A compressed air cylinder, usually 6 or 6.8 litre at 300 bar giving around 30 to 45 minutes duration depending on the wearer's exertion, a demand regulator, full face mask and a pressure gauge with an audible low-pressure warning.
Fire-resistant suit
An outer layer resistant to heat and flame, worn over or combined with boots, gloves and a helmet, giving the wearer a set period of protection against radiant heat rather than direct flame contact, which is a real limit crews sometimes overestimate.
Read the full guide
Personal safety lamp and lifeline
An explosion-protected lamp giving at least three hours of light, and a fireproof lifeline with harness so a second crew member outside the space can locate and, if necessary, pull the wearer out.
Two-way radio
Modern outfits are commonly paired with an intrinsically safe portable radio so the wearer can communicate condition and location without relying solely on the lifeline for signals.
Selection and sizing
Cylinder duration, not just capacity, is the figure to plan around, since a stated 30 minute rating drops fast under real exertion and heat stress, and crews need enough margin to make it back out, not just reach the fire. Suit sizing has to fit the actual crew wearing it over base layers, and boots and gloves need to be usable together without restricting dexterity on tools or hose handling.
Regulations and class
- SOLAS Chapter II-2 and the FSS Code, Chapter 3, set the minimum number of complete fireman's outfits carried, generally two on cargo ships and more on passenger ships, plus spare charged air cylinders.
- SCBA cylinders require periodic hydrostatic testing per pressure vessel rules, typically every five years, independent of the fire equipment survey cycle.
- Outfits must be stowed ready for use, widely separated so a single incident cannot disable all sets at once.
- Annual servicing of the breathing apparatus regulator and mask, and function testing of low-pressure alarms, is standard practice checked at survey.
Typical faults
- Cylinder pressure not checked before watch handover leaves a set effectively unusable when an alarm sounds.
- Mask seal perished or cracked from storage heat fails to hold a proper seal, letting smoke in around the edges under load.
- Low-pressure warning whistle stuck or corroded gives the wearer no warning before air runs out.
- Suit material degraded by UV or chemical exposure loses its heat-resistant rating without visible damage.
- Lifeline or harness clips seized from lack of use fail exactly when a rescue pull is needed.
What to look for in a supplier
- SOLAS/LSA Code type approval for the complete outfit, not just individual components sold separately.
- Cylinder testing and refill network reachable at the ship's regular ports.
- Suit sizing range matching actual crew builds, since an oversized or undersized suit compromises both mobility and protection.
- Spare masks, regulators and low-pressure warning devices stocked for the exact model on board.
Time an actual donning drill rather than trusting the stated figure; the gap between a fresh crew member's donning time and a fatigued one's is often the difference the outfit's design margin was meant to cover.
Models in this type.
The best-documented model of each manufacturer first, then the next — 6 of 6 models in Fireman's Outfit. Every row links to full specifications, documents and service notes.
Manufacturers.
All 13 manufacturers with models of Fireman's Outfit. Names with a manufacturer page open it; the others open a search across the full library.
All manufacturers in the libraryAlso in Firefighter Equipment.
The other equipment types in this category.
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Questions that come up with this equipment.
Is Fireman's Outfit data free?
Yes. Every model page, every guide and every datasheet for this type is readable without an account. An account adds saved searches and requests, nothing is taken away.
My model is missing — what now?
Send us the nameplate. We identify it by hand, add it to the library, and if you need a part or a service, the request is already on our desk.
Can you source a Fireman's Outfit part?
Yes. Tell us the manufacturer, the model and what you need — a person reads every request and replies by e-mail.