India develops indigenous specialised firefighting suit

A groundbreaking project titled “Development of Specialised Firefighting Suit” has received support under the National Technical Textile Mission (NTTM), aiming to reduce India’s dependency on imports and boost local manufacturing of high-performance protective gear.

These specialised suits, also known as fire entrance suits, are vital across high-risk sectors such as firefighting services, defence, oil and gas, aerospace, aviation, and thermal industries. Currently, India relies heavily on imports from China, the US, and Europe, but domestic production remains limited.

The project is being jointly executed by the Northern India Textile Research Association (NITRA) and its industrial partner, M/s System 5S Private Ltd., with a vision to establish indigenous production of these suits in compliance with international standards.

India’s current annual demand is approximately 1,000 suits, but with the introduction of an Indian Certified Aluminised Suit, usage is expected to grow significantly. M/s System 5S Pvt. Ltd. aims to manufacture 1,000 units annually, marking a major step toward self-reliance in technical textiles.

The suit is engineered to meet EN 1486 standards, ensuring complete body protection—including the head, hands, and feet—against radiant heat and flame impingement. It comprises garments, over boots, gloves, and an integrated or detachable hood.

Manufactured using a combination of Flame-Resistant (FR) viscose fabric, aluminised coated glass textiles, and OPAN (Oxidised Polyacrylonitrile) nonwoven battings, the suit’s multi-layer structure is quilted for enhanced durability and performance. Designed as per ISO 15538/EN 1486, the suit showcases India’s advancing capabilities in high-end protective textiles.