User Instructions
Safety, Training and Maintenance
PACIFIC F7
FIRE HELMETS

Designed and manufactured in New Zealand by:
Pacific Helmets (NZ) Ltd
P.O. Box 866
Wanganui, New Zealand.
Phone (NZ)+6+3445019
Fax: (NZ)+6+3445376
email: sales@pacifichelmets.co.nz
Website: www.pacifichelmets.com

IMPORTANT NOTICE
This user information leaflet is to be removed from the helmet only by the end user.

NFPA 1971-2000 Edition Structural Fire Fighter Helmet
EN443/1997 Helmets for Firefighters

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 appearance 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 NFPA Standard.

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 cause damage . This damage may not be visible or even if visible, may in some instances reduce the helmets performance.

PRECAUTIONS REQUIRED TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH FIRE FIGHTING HELMETS
NFPA 1971 (2000 Edition)

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 ***

Details of accessories approved by manufacturer
Accessories are not provided in different sizes.

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.

	Fitting and Using the Pacific F7 Helmet
1. The complete impact liner. The complete impact liner is secured in the shell by five screws. It should not be removed more often than is essential for special repairs, such as replacing the face shield.
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. Available as an optional extra is a booster pad, which can be fitted to the headband, this assists spectacle wearers to wear glasses with the face shield down.
	3. Adjusting the size to fit your head: Ratchet Adjustment: Rotate ratchet control knob to expand or contract band to provide comfortable but firm fit. A correctly adjusted helmet should be comfortable and secure on the wearer's head without the chin strap needing to be done up.
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. If the helmet is fitted with a three point chin strap (illustrated above) the nape strap connectors with the chin strap should rest under the ears, and the nape strap pulled tight. In this configuration the Pacific snapclip buckle will be located on the left hand side.	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 slide lugs which are supplied as part of the replacement shield. Although the shield on this model retracts internally, thus protecting the shield when not in use, it is one item on the helmet which may require periodic replacement due to its susceptibility to scratching. NFPA and EN certified rated helmets have an anti-scratch external surface, and an anti-fog treated internal surface. Avoid using solvent cleaners on or near the face shield. The face shield stops in any position. It can be used as an eye protector in the halfwayposition.
6. Eye Protectors (Where fitted in F7) These may be fitted inside the face shield on F7 models Rotation over the eyes is by way of a lever over the left hand side of the shell. The eye protector should be used wherever cutting tools or other implements are being used where objects could fly into the eyes. Periodicreplacement may be necessary. Depending on the materials used in the manufacture, these are certified to the basic requirements of EN166.
7. Wearing Ear Flaps/Neck Protector: Fitting the ear flaps (neck protector) requires only matching of the three domes mounted on the liner (inside the shell) to the studs on the ear flap. The ear flap should at all times overlap the neck of the tunic coat. Wrap-around single and double layer ear flaps / neck protector are also available.

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 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 but 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. 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

ASSEMBLY STEP ILLUSTRATIONS

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.

Many fire fighting, or rescue operations including training or simply careless use can result in damage to this equipment, which is not covered by this warranty.

In particular, training 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 discovery of faulty materials and allow these to be dealt with.

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 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 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 aluminized cover voids all warranties, expressed or implied.”

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

EN166/1995 Certified Face Shield/Eye Protector Options Table

NOTES

Standard Polycarbonate is neither anti-scratch or anti-fog treated.

“Pacificarb” is both anti-scratch and anti-fog treated.