Unprotected FF Radios Fail During Hi-temp fires

[Guest]

source:firechief.com

Firefighter Radios May Fail During High-Temp Fires

Sep 29, 2006 11:55 PM

Given the protection provided by today’s PPE and SCBA gear, firefighters sometimes find themselves fighting blazes in relatively high temperatures.

A recently released National Institute of Standards and Technology study, however, reveals that first responders shouldn’t rely on unprotected handheld radios even in routine firefighting situations, much less in higher-temperature fires.

NIST fire engineers tested three representative portable radio models from three different manufacturers in a wind tunnel designed to simulate thermal conditions at three different degrees of intensity that firefighters are equipped to withstand:

Thermal Class 1, with a maximum temperature of 212°F for 25 minutes; Thermal Class 2, with a maximum temperature of 320°F for 15 minutes; and Thermal Class 3, with a maximum temperature of 500°F for five minutes.

Each of the radios tested listed their maximum operating temperatures as only 140°F.

One radio of the three samples would not transmit or receive after 25 minutes at 212°F, although it did begin working after a cooling-off period. In the 15-minute experiment at 320°F, one radio went dead in less than nine minutes. The other two radios suffered significant performance problems, ranging from transmission and reception shutdown to signal degradation or fluctuation.

None survived the Thermal Class 2 test and cool-down period.

Portable radios inside pockets of turnout gear fared much better. All survived temperature tests at Thermal Class 1 and Thermal Class 2 maximum heats and times.

Pocket-protected radios also survived Thermal Class 3, but exposed cords, speakers and microphones did not, effectively limiting the radios to Thermal Class 2 electronics.

The NIST engineers suggest that small design changes on the speaker/microphones and cords could allow all the protected radios to reach a Thermal Class 3 rating.

NIST conducted the study to evaluate the general performance of portable radios at elevated thermal conditions, to identify shortcomings and to suggest standards for the radios.

The results will be used to develop test methods and recommendations that will be submitted to the National Fire Protection Association and other appropriate standards-setting bodies.

The NIST study was conducted by the Building and Fire Research Laboratory for the NIST Office of Law Enforcement Standards with funds from the Department of Homeland Security.

[RWC130 594]

The information of "Operating Temperatures" is listed on ALL of the Motorola portable radio spec sheets.

Does anyone read them?

This is absolutely something we as Firefighters and Chief Officers MUST

be aware of.

How many times has your $500 or $2,000 Portable Radio failed on a beautiful sunny afternoon?

-Bad Radio

-Bad Battery

-Bad Speaker Mic

What makes you think it will work in a FIRE?

Maybe it's time that Motorola, Kenwood, ICOM realize the GREAT DANGER here and start making radios designed for FIREFIGHTERS.

EXAMPLE:

Motorola HT1250

"Operating Temperature" -30 C - +60C = -22F - 140F

Yes, 140 F... WOW!!!

Most of the radios we ALL use as Firefighters, Police Officers, EMTs, and Paramedics are the same radios that are sold to Golf Courses, Security Guards, Construction Sites, Shopping Malls, and Hospitals.

You have "Operating Temperatures" of the actual Radio, Battery, and lets

not forget the Speaker Mic.

THIS STUDY SHOULD BE NO SURPISE!

Maybe it's time that Cities, Towns, Villages, Fire Districts should STOP buying crap

radios to save a few bucks.

I think my life is worth more than a ICOM or Motorola HT1250.

What is your life worth?

"Submersible Radio"

That is the best scam out there. Are you going SCUBA diving with the Radio?

It's SCARY to see what some FD's use for radios.

I know with a lot of FD's money is a factor but maybe next time you buy a

new Engine, Ladder, or Rescue you can cut back on the $10,000 Gold Leaf job and save some cash for QUALITY COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT!!!!

How many FD's replace Portable Radio Batteries on a regular basis with

OEM Batteries?

Just my TWO cents.

[Guest alsfirefighter]

Good point and info RWC.

Just to add a bit more info:

NOTE: Portable radios inside pockets or firefighter turnout gear did much

better. All survived temperature tests at Thermal Class 1 and Thermal Class 2

maximum heats and times. Pocket protected radios also survived Thermal Class

3, but exposed cords, speakers and microphones did not, limiting the radios to

Thermal Class 2 electronics. The NIST engineers suggest that small design

changes on the speaker/microphones and cords could allow all the protected

radios to reach a Thermal Class 3 rating. We have posted the entire media release

on our News/Updates section.

Take care-BE CAREFUL.

BillyG

The Secret List 9-29-06

_www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com_ (http://www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com)

I won't get totally into it. However, a radio that does function for us, one that can stand high temps, easy to switch channels, water resistant and lightweight would be a plus. With a emergency button that can be activated with gloves on, a knob that can be turned with gloves on and no push button channel switchers so you do not have to fumble to get your radio out if you are in trouble and need to switch channels or one you do not have to worry about having a lock programmed in so it doesn't switch channels while in your pocket.

[Guest]

Just to clarify, when they say the inside of pockets do they mean the pockets on the inside of the turnout gear or the pockets on the outside of the turnout gear?

Thanks.

[Guest alsfirefighter]

Don't know Jared. Go to the link provided and read the release and let us know.

[Guest]

Don't know Jared.  Go to the link provided and read the release and let us know.

←

It is the pocket on the outside of the coat. I didn't think to look there, thanks als.

From http://www.fire.nist.gov/bfrlpubs/NIST_TN_1477.pdf (page 10 in the pdf):

Testing was also performed with the radios protected inside of a turnout gear style pocket. When portable radios are carried into firefighting environments, the radios are often worn clipped close to the body underneath the turnout gear coat, or placed in pockets located on the outside of the turnout gear coat where they are protected from direct heating by the pocket as displayed on a mannequin in Figure 3.

Figure 3 Radio inside turnout coat pocket with speaker/microphone