, an initiative by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, has extended its support to a groundbreaking project titled “Development of Specialized Firefighting Suit.”){kind=link}
APRIL 16: The National Technical Textile Mission (NTTM), an initiative by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, has extended its support to a groundbreaking project titled “Development of Specialized Firefighting Suit.” This project, spearheaded by the Northern India Textile Research Association (NITRA) in collaboration with M/s System 5S Private Ltd, aims to revolutionize the availability and quality of firefighting suits within the country.
Specialized firefighting suits, also known as fire entry suits, are critical for the safety of personnel operating in extreme environments such as firefighting and emergency services, defence, aerospace, oil and gas, and power plants. Traditionally, India has relied on imports from Europe, the USA, and China to meet this demand, as domestic manufacturing of such advanced suits has been minimal. However, this initiative marks a significant step toward self-reliance (Aatmanirbhar Bharat) in protective technical textiles.
The new firefighting suit developed under the NTTM project adheres to EN 1486 and ISO 15538 standards, ensuring it meets international safety benchmarks. The suit is designed for full-body protection, covering the head, hands, feet, and torso against radiant heat and direct flame impingement. It is compatible with breathing apparatuses, whether worn inside or outside the suit.
The materials used in the suit include aluminised coated glass fabrics for heat reflection, OPAN (Oxidized Polyacrylonitrile) nonwoven battings for thermal insulation, and flame-resistant (FR) viscose fabrics for comfort and breathability. All inner layers are quilted together, ensuring a high level of thermal protection while maintaining flexibility and ease of use. The design also emphasizes comfort, safety, and ease of donning and doffing, essential for effective emergency response.
Currently, India’s annual demand for these suits is estimated at 1,000 sets, but with the availability of an indigenously developed, certified suit, this figure is expected to grow significantly. M/s System 5S Pvt. Ltd has already initiated trial manufacturing, with full-scale commercial production set to begin after the successful completion of the fire manikin test as per EN ISO 13506 standards, which evaluate a suit’s performance against heat and flame exposure.
This development is a major leap in technical textile innovation, aimed at enhancing firefighter safety, reducing import dependency, and promoting Make in India initiatives.