Thermal comfort performance of the firefighter’s hood to combat a fire disaster

Purpose Firefighters regularly put their lives at risk to save individuals affected by fire disasters, facing the perilous presence of carcinogenic toxins in smoke and soot during their operations. Their protective clothing serves as the primary defence against these hazards. To enhance protection, firefighter turnout gear has been designed, particularly focusing on safeguarding the head and neck from the intense heat and flames encountered in the line of duty. Firefighter hoods have evolved from leather balaclavas in the early 1900s to modern multi-layer knit caps compliant with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1971. The purpose of this review was to development, material composition, structural design, and protective performance of firefighter hoods, with particular emphasis on their effectiveness in safeguarding firefighters from thermal exposure and toxic contaminants. Design/methodology/approach This review examines the evolution of firefighter hoods, material and construction advancements, evaluation of thermal performance and current challenges. It also underscores the critical importance of selecting the appropriate materials and design for firefighter hoods to maximise protection while preserving comfort and functionality. Findings Recent advancements in firefighter hood materials have greatly improved protection, comfort and thermal performance. New designs feature high-performance fibres like Nomex® and polybenzimidazole, along with ultra-fine particulate barriers that filter over 99% of harmful smoke while maintaining breathability, meeting NFPA’s 2018 criteria. These hoods are essential for protecting the head and neck from thermal and particulate hazards, offering enhanced safety without sacrificing comfort. The firefighter hoods underscore ongoing challenges in protection, comfort and performance, highlighting the need for innovative, ergonomic and comprehensive design approaches. Originality/value The systematic literature review in this study is focused on the thermal comfort performance of the firefighter hoods.