Wettable fire fighters{3 {0 garment

Claim 1

A non-reflective wettable fire fighters'' suit for use in close proximity to and for brief emergency entry into fires where high heat fluxes are encountered comprising: a plurality of layers of material assembled in suit form, said layers including an outer heat shield made of an open weave flame resistant fabric; a next adjacent inner layer made of a fibrous batt having a capability of substantially instantaneously passing water therethrough, said batt being needled-punched to the open weave fabric so that the two fabrics are permanently interlocked; a next adjacent inner layer made of a water absorbent fibrous felt material to act as a water reservoir and provide for the capillary transfer of water received through said outer heat shield and said fibrous batt; a next adjacent inner layer made of a coated flame resistant nylon fabric to provide a barrier substantially impermeable to gas and liquids; and a next adjacent inner quilted fabric lining made of insulating material to protect the wearer from the conductive heat of a fire after first having said garment saturated with water and thereafter periodically wetted while in close proximity to the fire, whereby a person wearing the garment may closely approach a fire and remain in close proximity thereto for brief periods of time.