New PPE for new NFPA standard

August 30th 2013 marks the date on which all firefighter structural PPE manufactured to the NFPA standard is required to meet NFPA1971:2013. Published at the end of 2012, this is the first revision to the North American firefighter protective equipment standard since 2007 and incorporates a number of changes. The most noticeable difference will be in the appearance of fire coats. These will now have reinforcements beneath reflective trim on sleeves, or other design changes, to dissipate the stored energy effects of moderate radiant environments.