ThermoHood

The problem

A few years ago, the emergency services i Gothenburg received reports that firefighters were removing their helmets when working. This would happen in situations of less obvious danger such as grass fires or traffic accidents. The firefighters removed their helmets due to the weight of the helmet causing discomfort in the neck after long use.

The emergency services consequently introduced what they called "rescue helmets". these helmets were a lot lighter, but only met industrial safety standards, not the standards of a structural fire helmet. i.e. only to be used during tasks other than entering burning buildings.

Firefighters ended up working with two helmets, This introduced a host of new issues. It added more 'loose' bulk to bring in the cabin on calls, which has proved a hazard during traffic accidents in recent years. Firefighters have since also been entering fire situations with the lighter helmets, either due to haste, forgetting, not bothering, or the situation evolving unexpectedly.

Project team members:

Carl Wingren Bergman

Melina Kazemi

Carl Nord

This project was carried out with cooperation from several fire stations in the Gothenburg area, as well as some help from Pacific Helmets, NZ

User quotes paraphrased into english ▼

"We never have the facts ahead of time, we start getting them when things start going wrong"

"When you're using the rescue helmet you just have to cover it up, putting the hood over"

"If the truck rolls, the inside will turn into a grinder"

The solution

The final concept is called Thermo Hood. It is an insulating hood that attaches to the firefighters jacket. The hood contains added layers of protection (aluminised PBI) which serve to protect the rescue helmet from exposure to the most extreme radiant heat, in turn allowing the helmet to retain its protective performance. Thermo Hood added to the lighter helmet underneath combines into a solution that does meet the standards of a fire helmet. In normal situations the added weight of the extra protection in the hood rests on the users shoulders and back (much like a backpack) instead of on the neck. Removing the issue of neck pain during a majority of (>98%, 2016) assignments.

Thermo hood is easier to implement than say a new helmet as the hoods that are used today are already detachable. Allowing Thermo Hood to slip into use, without augmenting the existing equipment.

This course project only ever reached the concept stage.

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