Chemical and Biological Hazard Protection Requirements
topic
NFPA 1971 includes liquid chemical splash resistance testing using simulated blood and biological fluid penetration resistance per ASTM F1670 and ASTM F1671, with structural firefighting clothing required to provide blood-borne pathogen protection at liquid penetration resistance levels verified by ASTM F1671 viral penetration test, recognising that structural firefighters regularly respond to medical emergency calls where blood and body fluid exposure occurs alongside fire hazards.
Role
Addresses the biological hazard exposure of structural firefighters who function as first medical responders in most North American fire departments, with blood-borne pathogen protection requirements in NFPA 1971 ensuring that structural firefighting clothing provides barrier protection against viral and bacterial contamination from medical emergency response in addition to its primary fire thermal protection function.