Reliability and Failure Studies of Firefighters’ Helmets in Simulated Operational Conditions

The aim of the study was to determinate the fracture mechanism of firefighters’ helmets caused by the impact load in simulated operational conditions. Moreover the aim of the study was to assess the reliability of the personal protective equipment. Tests were conducted with the use of the drop tower system. On each type of helmet 5 impact tests were performed. The active force corresponding to impact energy of 60 J and the passive force (force in the place of the neck spine) was registered. Based on the results, it can be statement that helmets’ structure influences their reliability and values of the active and passive forces. Additionally, the majority of tested helmets exceeded the acceptable threshold values of passive force.