User Instructions
Safety, Training and Maintenance
PACIFIC F3/F4
FIRE HELMETS

THANK YOU FOR PURCHASING A PACIFIC FIRE HELMET
Your new helmet incorporates materials and design ideas which are primarily designed to safely protect you - the fire fighter - from all foreseeable dangers and to give the best possible comfort, convenience and style that a modern safety helmet can provide.

Please read the basic maintenance and care instructions. If followed, your helmet should provide many years of protection.

This modern fire and rescue safety helmet has been carefully engineered and manufactured to precise design and performance criteria. Our objective is to provide you with a safety helmet which is lightweight, comfortable, practical to use, incorporates the very best materials available and is built to the highest standards of workmanship. If care is taken with this safety helmet it will provide protection and safety considerably in excess of the minimum requirements of the relevant Standards to which it is constructed.

If for any reason the helmet has or develops a fault, please contact the Distributor from whom the helmet was purchased and identify the problem before the warranty period expires.

USER INFORMATION

THIS HELMET MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF NFPA 1971, STANDARD ON PROTECTIVE ENSEMBLE FOR STRUCTURAL FIRE FIGHTING, 2000 EDITION.

PROPER USE
This helmet is designed for urban or military fire fighting but may also have use in country, wildland firefighting and rescue operations.

Proper use is consistent with NFPA 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program and Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.132 General Requirements of subpart I, Personal Protective Equipment. Ensure your helmet is worn at all times with all accessories in place and in good working order, so that the helmet will protect you at the moment when you need to rely on it.

This helmet is a complete safety system that should be treated as such. Under no circumstances should the helmet be dropped or carelessly used in anyway which could cuase damage. This damage may not be visible or even if visible, it may in some instances reduce the helmets performance.

Safety considerations:
No helmet can protect the wearer against all possible types of impacts. The capacity of the helmet’s designed level of protection could be exceeded in some reasonably foreseeable perilous fire fighting or emergency services incidents.

For maximum protection, the helmet must fit firmly on the head and all retention straps must be securely fastened.
No attachments should be added or alterations made to the helmet except those recommended by the helmet manufacturer. Do not remove parts from the helmet without replacing them with genuine replacements.

The helmet is designed to absorb shock by partial destruction of the shell and liner. This damage may not be visible. Therefore if subjected to a severe blow, the helmet should be returned to the fire department equipment service center or your local helmet distributor for inspection or replacement.

Limitations of use:
This helmet is designed for use in general urban/military fire fighting and rescue/paramedic operations.

Helmet marking recommendations and restrictions:
Subject to the restrictions on modification or drilling holes, most self adhesive labels and other forms of external markings can be applied to the shell.

Performance properties:
The helmet user is cautioned that most of the performance properties of the helmet cannot be safely tested by the user in the field.

Warranty information:
Any warranty claim must be lodged with and through the supplier who will advise on the condition and warranty time limits applying.Damage resulting from reasonably foreseeable training or actual fire ground incidents is considered fair wear and tear and is therefore not covered by warranty.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS REQUIRED TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH FIRE FIGHTING HELMETS
EN443 – European Standard

Performance:
Complies with EN443 “Protective Helmets for Firefighters”

Accessories:
Face Shields of varying sizes and thickness, neck protectors and lights are available from the manufacturer. Only accessories approved by the manufacturer should be fitted to the helmet.

Classes of Protection:
The protection provided by the helmet make it suitable for use in Urban, Rural and Shipboard firefighting and when providing rescue services, both on and off public roads.

Obsolescence:
The helmet can be expected to remain in service for from 5 to 15 years, when it is not damaged
during use. The visor, if fitted, is a replaceable item and replacement will be necessary if it is damaged during use, e.g: if badly scratched or if vision through the visor is obscured.

Optional performance requirements:

EN443 Samples of this helmet have been tested and exceed the following optional performances.
C1.5.7 C1.6.8.2 C1.6.8.3 C1.6.2.4	Radiant heat classification:14kW/m Wet helmet insulation test Surface insulation test Low temperature classification -30°C	[14] E2 E3 ***

Appropriate spare parts include the following

1. Shell
2. Windlace shell brim extrusion
3. Screws
4. Complete liner
5. Liner headband assembly
6. Complete chinstrap
7. Face Shield and hinge hardware
8. Neck Protector (Ear Flaps)

Please contact your local distributor for details of the current part numbers. Referencing to the primary reference (PRN#) inside your helmet.

Packaging
A helmet carry bag is avaliable. (Part# A104102). For freighting we recommend that the helmet is package in a recyclable carton with suitable paddding.

Markings
No special markings are required on Fire Helmets and Rescue Helmets certified to EN443.

Warning
This helmet is not designed to provide protection from the following hazards; non-ionising radiation, ionising radiation and external radiation. The safety intended to be provided by the helmet can only be ensured when it is properly assembled and correctly fitted and that removeable parts should not be worn separately

Documentation in the language of the country of use is available from the distributor.

No helmet can protect the wearer against all possible impacts.
For maximum protection, the helmet must fit firmly on the head, and all retention straps must be securely fastened.

No attachments should be added or alterations made to the helmet except those recommended by the helmet manufacturer. The helmet is designed to absorb shock by partial destruction of the shell and liner. This damage may not be visible. Therefore if subjected to a severe blow, the helmet should be returned to the manufacturer for inspection or replaced, even if it is apparently undamaged.

The helmet may be damaged and rendered ineffective by such materials as petroleum and petroleum products, cleaning agents, paints and adhesives, without the damage being visible to the user.

For the list of suitable cleaning agents that can be applied to the helmet and face shield, please
refer to the section on “General Cleaning and Repairs”. If in doubt, please contact the helmet
supplier.

WARNING
If damaged due to severe impact or deterioration of the helmet shell, the helmet is to be
referred to the Fire Department Service section and or if necessary returned to the
supplying agent or distributor for inspection, or be replaced.

Do not modify or remove parts or add accessories which are not approved by the manufacturer.
Replace harness and other components as recommended by manufacturer.
Manufacturer’s instructions should be followed for cleaning – helmet and faceshield may be seriously damaged by certain substances.

This helmet must be properly adjusted and secured to the head with all components in place to provide the designed level of protection.

	Fitting and Using the Pacific F3/F4 Helmet
1. The complete impact liner The complete impact liner is secured in the shell by velcro. It should not be removed more often than is essential for repairs, maintenance or replacement.
2. Headband adjustment The complete headband is secured inside the liner by three Velcroed legs. By adjusting the position of the Velcroed legs inside the liner, the lower edge of the head band should rest near the top of the wearer's ears. This will ensure the best lateral stability of the helmet.
	3. Adjusting the size to fit your head: Ratchet Adjustment: Rotate ratchet control knob to expand or contract band to providecomfortable but firm fit. A correctly adjusted helmet should be comfortable and secure on the wearer's head without the chin strap needing to be fastened.
4. Doing up the Chinstrap securely: Check the operation of the chin strap buckle before putting the helmet on your head. When the buckle is closed, both trigger arms on the female side must be depressed before the male side will withdraw. Always keep the chin strap done up during fire fighting operations or when travelling in fire trucks.
	5. Using the Face Shield: (Visor) The shield system should operate for years without adjustment. Should it be necessary to replace the shield, the normal procedure should be to also renew the hinge hardwear, please contact your local supplier.
6. Wearing Ear Flaps/Neck Protector:  Fitting the ear flaps (neck protector) requires only matching of the velcro hook to velcro loop on the outside edge of the liner. Velcro tabs are also provided to secure the leading edges of the ear flap to the chinstrap. The ear flap should at all times overlap the neck of the tunic coat. There are numerous desgins of ear flaps and a variety of materials available.
Note: There are different performance requirements of materials depending on the relevant International Safety Standard of the helmet.

 
GENERAL CLEANING and REPAIRS

Do not use helmets unless thoroughly cleaned and dried.

EXTERNAL CLEANING OF SHELL

Use general cleaning materials such as normal household polishes (Pledge, Brasso and Jiff).
After exposure to flame, fumes or non-toxic chemicals use the following procedure:

1. Wash the helmet shell down in warm soapy water.
2. Remaining pollutants can be cleaned with any spirit cleaner like M.E.K., Acetone (wipe
off quickly) or Methylated Spirits. Avoid contacting the face shield with any solvents.
Again, wash off in warm soapy water.
3. Where necessary, wash or dry clean the ear flaps (neck protector).

Decontaminating the helmet after toxic and biological exposure.
At all times comply with your Department's standing instructions. In general decontamination requires the use of clean water with some detergents. Use anti-bacterial or anti-biological agents strictly in conformity to Fire Department instructions or follow National/Federal/State Hazardous Materials guidelines.

CLEANING THE FACE SHIELD

Use warm soapy water and be careful to avoid scratching. Avoid using spirit (petro-chemical) based cleaners as these affect the polycarbonate. Most water based proprietary window cleaners can be used on polycarbonate surfaces.

INTERNAL CLEANING

Follow the general cleaning instructions above, avoiding the use of petro-chemical cleaners unless absolutely necessary. However all internal materials are resistant to most chemical cleaning agents.

The leather comfort bands may be cleaned from time to time with leather/vinyl restorer.
Dry-cleaning the neck protector from time to time will maintain the material.

INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE CRITERIA

Maintenance requirements will vary depending on the level of use and the age of the helmet.

a) Check the helmet after incidents where it could have received damage.
Avoid dropping the helmet wherever possible.

b) 6 and 12 monthly, or whenever considered appropriate, visually inspect
all sub-components for wear and tear or damage.

Thereafter repeat at similar intervals up to 5 years.

c) 5 and 10 year checks

Repeat (b) above, if necessary replace the following items:
1) Front and rear comfort head band pads.
2) Face shield hinge system and polycarbonate shield.
3) Replace the ear flaps (neck protector) after 50 wash cycles.
4) Any other deteriorated components.

d) Destroy the helmet and replace it at any time where damage is evident that may effect
your safety, or when the helmet may no longer comply with the Standard to which it was
manufactured.
Never modify the helmet, or drill holes in the shell.
Dropping the helmet on to a hard surface from reasonable heights (>1m/3 feet) may
damage the paint, and the shell laminate. Small scratches or marks on the painted surface
are unlikely to affect the performance of the helmet.

e) Storage

Use the rear storage hook (where fitted) but if possible store out of direct sunlight
especially behind glass or in vehicles during high summer temperatures.
Helmet trim (reflectorising) and some paint colors can be affected by ultra-violet light.
Helmet shells painted with photo-luminescent (glow in the dark) paint require storage in
day or incandescent light, in order to glow at night.

f) Don/Doff procedures.

Due to the simple size adjustment of this helmet, the helmet can be stored as it was
last worn, ready for re-use. Refer to the Instructions for use section for details on
how to first adjust the helmet when new.

Fire Department procedures should be followed when interfacing this new helmet
to other protective equipment, such as SCBA masks, etc.

Doff (removing the helmet from your head) procedures.

1. Undo the quick release buckle and allow the chin strap to swing clear.
2. If a wrap-around ear flap is in use, undo the Velcro flap join.
3. If the face shield is down, lift to the raised position.
4. Withdraw the head from the helmet.
5. Store securely, away from possibility of dropping or other damage.

PACIFIC FIRE HELMET REPAIR/REPLACE DECISIONS

Repair if:
1. Shell stained by carbon or chemicals
2. Painted surface scratched
3. Surface damage only
4. In these cases the shell can be restored to use by warm wet sanding to remove the stains,
scratches and surface damage.

Destroy the shell and replace if:
1. Shell shows signs of major laminate failure/breakage. This will either take the form of deep indentations from falling objects or major crushing. It can also be seen as a
‘whitening’ of laminate in impact area when the inside of the shell is inspected.
2. Brim area has severe crack lines or flexes abnormally.
3. Helmet has obviously suffered excessive heat or burning.
4. This includes any charring of the paint or helmet substrate.
By charring we mean an actual burnt area or surface damage which cannot be
repaired by sanding or repainting.
5. Acids and chemicals may damage the shell paint or substrate, and if there is visible signs
of this destroy the shell and replace it.
6. If the shell shows signs of distortion to its shape. This can be seen as “sagging” or
“drooping” when it is compared to a new helmet. This type of damage would be most
unusual in the Pacific helmet shell as it does not melt.

Components which can be replaced:
1. Shell
2. Shell brim extrusion (If glued on version, it can be difficult to remove and requires a strong adhesive to secure the replacement extrusion to shell)
3. The velcro strips on the shell and the liner
4. Complete liner
5. Liner suspension can be replaced as a unit
6. Liner headband assembly
7. Complete chinstrap
8. Face Shield and hinge hardware
9. Neck Protector (Ear Flaps)

WARRANTIES

The products and the various sub-components are supplied with varying warranties (depending on the model) for 1-3 years.

SHELLS
Covered by 3 year warranty.

EAR FLAPS/NECK PROTECTORS
6 month warranty. We recommend they be replaced after a maximum of 50 wash cycles.

FACE SHIELD/EYE PROTECTORS
1 year warranty. Replace once scratched or deformed by heat, smoke or other pollutants.

COMPONENTS
2 year warranty (except face shields/eye protectors/neck protectors).

These warranties cover only faulty materials or workmanship and exclude fair wear and tear, of which the Manufacturer
(or his agent) shall be the sole arbiter. Some reasonably
foreseeable fire ground and training activities (especially hot fire training) can damage the
exterior surfaces of fire helmets. These warranties do not include replacement or repairs
of such damage.

In particular, fire personnel involved in repetitive hot fire training will require their
helmets to be replaced at frequent intervals certainly no longer than one year. This is
dependent on the duration, frequency and exposure to heat and pollutants. All staff
involved in hot-fire training should wear their helmets with aluminized hoods over the
shells when engaged in these activities.

The above warranty time limits do not imply any form of helmet life expectancy. These
time frames simply place reasonable limits on the discover of faulty materials and allow
these to be dealt with.

Kevlar reinforced composite helmet shells and most other subcomponents can be
expected in normal operating circumstances to have a usable life expectancy in excess
of 10 years.

Follow instructions in this booklet for regular checks on this equipment and when making
repair/replace decisions. Most components are available as spare parts.

HOT FIRE TRAINING

Hot Fire Training Damage

“This helmet shell meets or exceeds the NFPA standard for high heat usage, which is laboratory controlled testing at 500 degrees fahrenheit for 5 minutes. This laboratory test is intended to inflict heavy damage on the helmet to the point of virtual destruction and is intended to test survivability for the wearer. To avoid similar damage in training exercises (in flashover and/or high heat training) use an aluminized helmet cover. Training exercise damage conducted without the use of the aluminized cover voids all warranties, expressed or implied.”

EN166/1995 Certified Face Shield Options Table

Pacific Face Shields and Eye Protectors Information for Users - EN166/1995 Edition