What is a major limitation of structural PPE in ARFF?

• A. It cannot resist water
• B. It is too light
• C. It can wick/absorb hydrocarbon fuels, which can ignite during fuel fires or high radiant heat.
• D. It is cheap

Answer: (C)

Structural PPE for ARFF faces a significant hazard from hydrocarbon fuels because it can wick or absorb those fuels into the fabric. When airfield fuels like jet fuel contact the garment, capillary action pulls the hydrocarbons into the fibers and spaces between them. If the contaminated gear is then exposed to a fuel fire or to high radiant heat, the absorbed fuel can heat up, vaporize, and ignite, or sustain ignition, which dramatically increases the burn threat to the wearer. This is why fuel contamination is a major limitation of this type of PPE and why decontamination and avoiding fuel contact are critical. The other options describe attributes that are not the primary safety concern in this context.