FAQs

About Ricochet

Ricochet, a leading manufacturer of high-tech Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), prioritizes safety, performance, and comfort. All products surpass NFPA standards and are UL certified.

EMS Gear:
Ricochet offers premium EMS gear that is exceptionally comfortable, breathable, and protective. Certified to NFPA 1999, our garments provide superior liquid and bloodborne pathogen protection while remaining vapor permeable.

Technical Rescue Gear:
Our dual-certified Technical Rescue gear (NFPA 1951/1999) combines a rugged outer shell with abrasion and flame resistance. Ideal for various roles, including USAR, Technical Rescue, Chief, Officers, EMS personnel, and more, Ricochet gear ensures full protection at a fraction of the cost.

Structural Firefighting Gear:
Ricochet sets new standards in PPE with the M2 (Maximum Mobility™) design Structural Firefighting gear. Addressing common issues in turnout gear, our engineers have enhanced critical areas to provide unmatched comfort and protection for firefighters.

Click here to learn more.

All of our products are manufactured in our single master facility and headquarters in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
We have listened to our customers, first responders from all over the United States. We have taken your input seriously, and developed cutting edge technology with Anatomical Patterning. This pattern design, unique to Ricochet, provides PPE that works with the dynamics of the human body, providing Maximum Mobility™, with greater range of motion than any other turnouts on the market. Our Anatomical Patterns are engineered to reduce heat stress, hobbling, and fatigue, and designed to provide fit and comfort throughout all three layers of your gear. Contact us today for your own evaluation. Learn more about our Maximum Mobility™ (M²) Design
United States based PPE and garment manufacturers, Ricochet included, are required to purchase only NFPA compliant and UL certified fabrics for all layers of PPE. Currently there are approved fabrics from TenCate, Safety Components, Stedfast, Milliken, NorFab, W.L. GORE, 3M, and Orafil. With very few exceptions, these available materials are utilized by all PPE and garment manufacturers. For more information, please see our Materials Selection Guide.

Standards & Guidelines

The Berry Amendment pertains to Department of Defense purchases and requires that all textiles used in the specified product are American made. 95% of the materials Ricochet’s uses in manufacturing our turnout gear are sourced right here in the United States. The remaining 5% are materials that are simply not manufactured domestically for fire-service applications and must be imported.
The Thermal Protective Performance (TPP) rating measures the insulating performance of your ensemble. The TPP rating is theoretical in nature, and should not be used as a guarantee. According to the TPP rating, the length of time that an ensemble protects you from likely receiving second degree burn in flashover conditions may be determined by dividing the TPP rating in half. For example, a composite with a TPP rating of 42 provides 21 seconds of protection prior to likely receiving second degree burns in a flashover environment. NFPA 1971 requires a minimum 35 TPP rating, which equates to 17.5 seconds until second degree burns are likely to occur in a flashover situation. Please refer to the Technical Information page of this website for more detailed information.
The Total Heat Loss (THL) rating measures the ability of a garment to allow heat to pass away from the body through the 3 composite layers of your ensemble. Generally, the higher the THL, the more likely the system will be able to dissipate excess body heat. NFPA 1971 requires a minimum total heat loss of 205 w/m2. Please refer to the Technical Information page of this website for more detailed information.
When selecting fabrics for your turnouts, it is important to remember that heavier, thicker materials typically give higher TPP values, and that higher TPP value may also cause you greater heat stress. There are several lighter weight fabrics today which may not provide a higher TPP value but will allow for a greater THL value which equates to breathability. Your material selection process should begin with a risk assessment that is discussed in NFPA 1851. Our TPP and THL testing is supported by our fabric suppliers. The actual TPP and THL values for all of our composites are provided by Underwriters Laboratories. For additional information you may contact your local Ricochet Dealer, give us a call at 866-293-8104, or email us at [email protected].
The Conductive and Compressive Heat Resistance (CCHR) test is to specify minimums in protective insulation required in high compression areas. Please refer to the Technical Information page of this website for more detailed information.
Absolutely! We have worked closely with some of the best Independent Service Providers in this country, writing fire departments SOP’s for implementing their NFPA 1851 program. Our highly qualified Regional Sales Managers can assist you with establishing specifications, implementation, SOP’s, driving routes and pickups and pricing. For more information you may contact your local Ricochet Dealer, give us a call at 866-293-8104, or email us at [email protected].

Purchases & Delivery

Our goal is to ship orders within 8-12 weeks after receipt of order, and our current average is around 10 weeks. Additional time may be needed for larger orders, or if there are raw material shortages.
We have a healthy and growing family of Dealers who are eager and happy to assist you! For help finding your local Dealer, please refer to our Ricochet Dealer Map, or email us at [email protected].

Materials

Ricochet conducts repairs and corrections internally at our facility for all warranty related issues, processing them as fast as possible. For general repairs and alterations, we urge you to please contact a verified third-party ISP. If you need help locating a verified third-party ISP, please feel free to contact us at [email protected]. You may also refer to the Care & Use page of this web site for more information.

Ricochet has a large selection of certified composites to choose from to meet your department needs. There are many factors that should be considered prior to choosing the outer shell, moisture barrier or thermal liner materials. These factors include thermal protective performance (TPP), total heat loss (THL/breathability), durability, wicking capability, drying time, abrasion resistance, etc. Selecting the right composite will be greatly influenced by your department’s daily operations. The best solution is to speak to an expert to help your Fire Department in their selection process. Please contact your local Ricochet Dealer or contact us directly at 866-293-8104 or [email protected] to discuss your specific needs. 

To see our complete list of available materials, check out our Material Selection Guide.

Please refer to our Materials Selection Guide for detailed information on current available outer shells, or you are welcome to contact us directly at 866-293-8104 or [email protected] to discuss your specific needs.
Nearly all currently available outer shell materials utilize some blend of Nomex®, Kevlar®, or PBI®, all of which are susceptible to color changes, loss of strength, and degradation when exposed to UV light. Ricochet highly recommends that all protective garments should be protected as much as practically possible from direct and indirect sunlight, fluorescent lighting, and other sources of UV light.
Click Here to view the warranty for Ricochet products. For more information, please contact us.

Privacy Policies

Effective Date: February 01, 2023

This page outlines the instructions and processes for any products that need to be returned to Ricochet for inspection, alteration, warranty, etc. In the event of any issue with Ricochet products, or a requested return, this process must be followed. For certain repairs, we will recommend using a Certified ISP. Your sales or Customer Service representative can provide recommendations for ISPs in most regions. If you are unable to find a Certified ISP, our Customer Service team will consider your request(s).

A fully completed Return Authorization Form needs to be submitted by the Dealer, Sales Team Member, or Customer, and submitted to Customer Service at [email protected].

  • The RA Form submitted must:
    • Be submitted to Customer Service for Review BEFORE any other action is taken. RA numbers will not be provided until after the completed RA Form has been internally reviewed.
    • Include all contact information, including shipping and billing address as well as contact information 
    • Include complete Serial Numbers, Sizes, and a full description of the issue for each individual garment.
    • Be completed on the most current digital version of a Ricochet RA form 
  • Please do not send or return garments until instructed by Ricochet to do so. We cannot accept returned products without the RA process being completed, and no review will occur. We will return any items sent without a completed RA process, and any associated shipping costs will be billed to the dealer/customer.

The Ricochet Customer Service team will review the submitted RA form and determine if the issue is either: (a) Warranty, or (b) Non-Warranty/Nonconforming, Billable request.

  • Warranty item
    • We will confirm issue is covered by Warranty and send back the completed RA Form with a designed RA Number to reference for inquiries and/or billing.
    • If warranty coverage is not clear through the communication of the RA process, we may request you to send garment for review.
    • If it is determined that the garment does not fall under warranty, we will provide a cost estimate to complete a Billable/Non-Warranty repair.
    • We will provide a target completion date that will become effective once garments are physically received, checked-in, and confirmed.
    • Please print the completed form with the RA number and include in the package(s) with the garment(s) that are being returned. All garments MUST be cleaned before returning.
  • Billable/Non-Warranty/Nonconforming Request (Sizing, Wear and Tear, Customer Changes, etc.
    • For certain repairs, we will recommend using a Certified ISP. Your sales representative or our Customer Service department can provide recommendations for ISPs in most regions.
    • Any repairs, changes, or alterations must be completed by a Certified ISP. Repairs, changes, and/or alterations not completed by a Certified ISP will void all Warranty and Certification(s) of the garment(s). 
    • After a written approval to proceed at the quoted price is received, an RA number will be provided. Please print the completed form with the RA number and include in the package(s) with the garment(s) that are being returned. All garments MUST be cleaned before returning.
    • If you are unable to find a Certified ISP, our Customer Service team will consider your request(s) and either provide a quote to complete the repair(s)/change(s), along with a target date for completion, or reject the request.
  • In the event of a request for a Warranty Repair to be completed by a Third-Party ISP, the following process must be followed:
    • Complete the RA process as outlined above with the Ricochet Customer Service Team.
    • Provide an official quote that you have received from a Certified Third-Party ISP to complete the repair in question. 
      • If approved by Ricochet in writing, Ricochet will reimburse for the approved costs.
      • If not approved, garment(s) must be returned to Ricochet for repair. Any repairs completed by a Third Party which have NOT been approved by Ricochet in writing will void all Warranty and Certification(s) of the garment(s).

If this policy and procedure is not followed, the return garment(s) will not be accepted. If garments are sent in without the proper documentation, or if the garments have not been cleaned, they will be returned without inspection, and all shipping costs will be billed to the original sender.

We greatly appreciate your cooperation in following this policy to help us ensure that any and all returns are completed as quickly and accurately as possible.

Ricochet's Customer Service Department is here to assist you in the event of any questions or concerns and can be reached via email at [email protected] or by phone at 215-849-1971, ext.448

Ricochet Manufacturing Company, Inc.
Attn: Customer Returns
4700 Wissahickon Avenue, Suite 112
Philadelphia, PA 19144

Effective Date: January, 2025

Ricochet Manufacturing Co., LLC (“Ricochet” or “Ricochet-gear.com”) recognizes that you value the privacy of your personal information and how it is utilized. We value your trust and continued patronage and will make every effort to utilize the information in a manner that will benefit your overall shopping experience.

INFORMATION WE COLLECT AUTOMATICALLY:

Our web server will automatically recognize and store the following information: browser type and version, IP address, operating system, URL, pages visited, time spent on each page.

WHAT WE DO WITH THE INFORMATION COLLECTED AUTOMATICALLY:

The information collected automatically is primarily used to improve our web site and enhance your shopping experience. For example, an infrequently visited page may be eliminated. In addition, we will utilize the information for product offerings or to improve navigation throughout the site.

HOW WE USE COOKIES:

You do not need to accept or use cookies to shop on Ricochet-gear.com.

We use a single cookie that assists us in determining Web site traffic patterns. This cookie helps us better understand how visitors navigate through and use Ricochet-gear.com, enabling us to measure the site's ease of use and effectiveness. This information assists us in our efforts to refine our site, as well as efforts to improve and customize the shopping experience for individual visitors like you.

The cookie contains absolutely no personal information. If you do not want to receive cookies, you can set your browser to accept no cookies, or tell it to erase all cookies at the end of a session.

However, if you choose to disable cookies, you may not be able to use certain features and information.

INFORMATION YOU PROVIDE:

Ricochet receives and stores any information you provide when placing an order, entering a promotional event or requesting email announcements. Name, address, and a phone number are required when you place an order. Email addresses are utilized to confirm orders have been placed or shipped and provide customers with new product announcements and special savings.

SECURITY OF INFORMATION YOU PROVIDE:

We work to protect the security of the information you provide during transmission by using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) software, which encrypts the information you input. It is important for you to protect against unauthorized access to your password and to your computer. Be sure to sign off when finished using a shared computer.

WHAT WE DO WITH THE INFORMATION PROVIDED:

Ricochet recognizes that privacy of personal information is of the utmost importance. Therefore, the information will only be shared with approved partners. The partner approval process involves an analysis of the ethical standards of the prospective partner, product/service quality, reputation, how our customers will be approached and treated, the likelihood of partner's product/service appealing to Ricochet-gear.com customers and other factors as well.

AGENTS:

Occasionally, we will employ other companies to perform functions on our behalf. These companies do have access to personal information while fulfilling their obligations but do not have the authority to utilize any information.

CONSENT:

By accessing the Ricochet-gear.com web site to gather information or place product orders, you consent to our collection and use of your personal information. 

SMS consent and employee phone numbers are used exclusively for Ricochet internal communications and are never shared, sold, or disclosed to any third parties or affiliates.

INTERNAL SMS COMMUNICATIONS

Ricochet Gear may send occasional, non-marketing text messages to employees for internal purposes only. These messages may include work schedule reminders, meeting notifications, urgent operational updates, weather advisories, and holiday closure notices.

Participation in our internal SMS program is voluntary. Employees opt in by providing their mobile number during onboarding or through other HR-approved processes. Message frequency will vary depending on operational needs. Message and data rates may apply. Recipients may reply STOP at any time to opt out or HELP for assistance.

SMS consent and employee phone numbers are used exclusively for Ricochet internal communications and are never shared, sold, or disclosed to any third parties or affiliates.

For full details, please see our SMS Terms of Service – Internal Communications.

QUESTIONS OR SUGGESTIONS:

If you have questions or suggestions, send an email to [email protected]

CHANGES TO THE Ricochet-gear.com and Ricochet Manufacturing Company, LLC. PRIVACY POLICY:

It may be necessary for Ricochet-gear.com and Ricochet to make changes to this privacy policy. If changes are made, they will be announced on this page.

Effective Date: February, 2024
 


CONDITIONS

Welcome to Ricochet-Gear.com, a web site that is owned and operated by Ricochet Manufacturing Company, LLC. (“Ricochet”). We provide products and services to you subject to the following conditions. If you purchase from Ricochet, you accept these conditions. Please read them carefully.

PRICES

Prices listed on this site are current. Due to the wide selection of products offered, prices may change without notice. We also reserve the right to make corrections in the event of a misprint.

PAYMENT

Lines of credit may be issued to Municipalities, Government Agencies, Cities, Departments and/or Dealers. To apply for credit terms, please contact Customer Service.  For orders not on a line of credit, payment is required prior to orders entering Production. Payment can be made via Check, ACH, or Credit. A 3% Surcharge will be assessed on Credit Card Payments. 

SALES TAX

Sales tax will be charged on all orders based upon delivery address unless a sales tax exemption form is provided.  Please send all exemption forms to [email protected].


DELIVERY
 All orders are shipped via UPS Ground for speed, convenience, and economy. Customers in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico may choose U.S. Postal Service or UPS Second Day Air at additional costs. Some restrictions may apply due to quantity, weight, shape, or size. Expedited or additional delivery cost will be charged to the customer and an estimate will be provided prior to shipping.

SALES TAX

Pennsylvania and Maryland residents are subject to 6% tax. Philadelphia, PA residents are subject to 2% city tax. New Jersey residents are subject to 6.625% tax. Virginia customers are subject to a 5.3% tax. Massachusetts residents are subject to 6.25% tax. Online orders in all other States are Tax Free. Tax is applicable to Product and Shipping. There are some products that are non-taxable; therefore, tax will not be applied to those products.

DELIVERY

Continental U.S. orders are shipped for speed, convenience and economy. Customers in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico may choose U.S. Postal Service or UPS Second Day Air at additional costs. Some restrictions do apply because of quantity, weight, shape or size. Some orders may require additional shipping charges. If the items you are ordering require extra shipping, we will notify you once your order is received.

TRADEMARKS

Ricochet-Gear.com, and other Ricochet-Gear.com graphics, logos, page headers, button icons, scripts, and service names are trademarks or trade dress of Ricochet or entities that have agreed to allow us to post information about their products and services. Ricochet's trademarks and trade dress may not be used in connection with any product or service in any manner that (a) is likely to cause confusion among customers, (b) dilutes the value of the Ricochet trademark and trade dress; or (c) disparages or discredits Ricochet. All other trademarks not owned by Ricochet that appear on this site are the property of their respective owners, who may or may not be affiliated with, connected to, or sponsored by Ricochet.

COPYRIGHT

All content included on this site, such as text, graphics, logos, button icons, images, audio clips, digital downloads, data compilations, and software, is the property of Ricochet or its content suppliers and protected by United States and international copyright laws. The compilation of all content on this site is the exclusive property of Ricochet and protected by U.S. and international copyright laws. All software used on this site is the property of Ricochet or its software suppliers and protected by United States and international copyright laws.

WARRANTY

Ricochet warrants its protective clothing to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for their serviceable life when properly used and cared for. Our obligation under this warranty shall be limited to the repair or replacement, without charge, of any product which is returned to us at the buyers’ expense and is determined by us to be defective in materials or workmanship but is otherwise serviceable. This warranty shall not be applicable unless the products are used for the purpose for which they were designed and are used by trained personnel following proper procedures and in accordance with the product’s warning, use, inspection, maintenance, care, storage, and retirement instructions. Failure to properly care for the garment will lead to a shortening of the serviceable life. 

“Serviceable” refers to the general condition of the garment which can be expected to provide at least reasonable limited protection against the hazards from which the garment was designed to protect. “Serviceable life” is the period of time protective clothing, which has been properly cared for, can be expected to provide reasonable limited protection. 
“Defects in Materials” refers to weak areas or other flaws caused by irregularities in their manufacture. “Defects in Workmanship” refers to improperly manufactured seams, stitching, or other construction methods. This warranty does not cover wear and tear nor damage from fire, heat, chemicals, misuse, accident, or negligence. Claims for manufacturing defects must be received from the Customer within one (1) year of delivery of product on which the claim is based, or such longer period as required applicable by law. THIS WARRANTY IS EXPRESSLY IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. The remedy of repair or replacement for breach of this warranty shall be the sole and exclusive remedy and Ricochet shall not under any circumstances be liable for incidental or consequential damages.

APPLICABLE LAW

By visiting Ricochet-gear.com, you agree that the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, without regard to principles of conflict of laws, will govern these Conditions of Use and any dispute of any sort that might arise between you and Ricochet.

SITE POLICIES, MODIFICATION, AND SEVERABILITY

Please review our other policies, if any, posted on this site. These policies also govern your visit to Ricochet-gear.com. We reserve the right to make changes to our site, policies, and these Conditions of Use at any time. If any of these conditions shall be deemed invalid, void, or for any reason unenforceable, that condition shall be deemed severable and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining condition.

Effective Date: January 24, 2019
  • RICOCHET and WEAR SOMETHING SAFER are trademarks of Ricochet Manufacturing, Inc.
  • CROSSTECH®, GORE-SEAM®, GORE®, WINDSTOPPER® and designs are trademarks of W.L. Gore and Associates, Inc.
  • Arashield is a registered trademark of Southern Mills Inc.
  • NOMEX and KEVLAR are registered trademarks of DuPont.
  • Scotchlite, Triple Trim, and Thinsulate are trademarks of 3M.
  • Indura and Moda-Quilt are registered trademarks of Westex Inc.

Effective Date: January 24, 2024

Ricochet warrants its protective clothing to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for their serviceable life when properly used and cared for.  Our obligation under this warranty shall be limited to the repair or replacement, without charge, of any product which is returned to us at the buyers’ expense and is determined by us to be defective in materials or workmanship but is otherwise serviceable.  This warranty shall not be applicable unless the products are used for the purpose for which they were designed and are used by trained personnel following proper procedures and in accordance with the product’s warning, use, inspection, maintenance, care, storage, and retirement instructions. Failure to properly care for the garment will lead to a shortening of the serviceable life.

“Serviceable” refers to the general condition of the garment which can be expected to provide at least reasonable limited protection against the hazards from which the garment was designed to protect.  “Serviceable life” is the period of time protective clothing, which has been properly cared for, can be expected to provide reasonable limited protection.

“Defects in Materials” refers to weak areas or other flaws caused by irregularities in their manufacture.  “Defects in Workmanship” refers to improperly manufactured seams, stitching, or other construction methods.

This warranty does not cover wear and tear nor damage from fire, heat, chemicals, misuse, accident, or negligence. Claims for manufacturing defects must be received from the Customer within one (1) year of delivery of product on which the claim is based, or such longer period as required applicable by law. THIS WARRANTY IS EXPRESSLY IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. The remedy of repair or replacement for breach of this warranty shall be the sole and exclusive remedy and Ricochet shall not under any circumstances be liable for incidental or consequential damages. 

PFAS Policy

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), PFAS are a large group of manufactured chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s because of their useful properties. There are thousands of different PFAS, including perfluorooctanoic acid (“PFOA”) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (“PFOS”), two of the most widely used and studied PFAS.

Additional information about PFAS can be found on the EPA’s PFAS website.

Learn More →

PFAS are a large group of chemicals that have been widely used because of properties such as resistance to water, oil, heat, and certain chemicals. Their durability and ability to provide water- and stain-repellent properties have led to their use in a wide variety of consumer, commercial, and industrial applications.

PFAS have historically been used in products such as stain-resistant textiles, non-stick cookware, rainwear and other outdoor clothing, as well as certain personal care and cosmetic products.

Learn More →

PFAS-based finishes have historically been used on outer shell materials in firefighter and other first responder PPE to provide water- and stain-repellent properties. These durable water repellent (DWR) finishes help reduce the absorption of liquids and contaminants that may come into contact with the garment.

Fluorinated technologies have also historically been used in underlying protective layers, including certain moisture barriers, to help prevent liquids from penetrating through the protective clothing.

Learn more about how turnout gear materials and technologies are evolving →

PFAS chemistries have historically been used in first responder PPE for two principal purposes:

  1. Water- and stain-repellent finishes: Certain PFAS chemistries have been used in durable water repellent (DWR) finishes applied to fabrics. These finishes help reduce water absorption and staining, which can help gear remain lighter when exposed to moisture and support material performance and durability.
  2. Moisture barrier technologies: Fluorinated technologies have also historically been used in some moisture barriers to help prevent liquids, including potentially hazardous fluids and chemicals, from penetrating through the protective clothing while allowing moisture vapor to escape.

Materials and technologies continue to evolve, including the introduction of non-PFAS options for structural turnout gear.

Explore Ricochet's non-PFAS turnout gear resources →

No. Ricochet does not manufacture PFAS chemicals or directly apply PFAS-based finishes to its products.

Ricochet purchases materials and components from suppliers. Some of these materials may have PFAS-based finishes applied, contain a fluorinated barrier technology, or both. The chemical manufacturing and application of these technologies occur upstream in the supply chain before the materials or components are supplied to Ricochet.

Ricochet also offers non-PFAS turnout gear options using qualifying materials and components that meet the applicable ≤100 ppm total fluorine threshold.

Explore Ricochet's non-PFAS options →

Yes, some Ricochet products and material configurations may contain PFAS. However, non-PFAS options are now available for structural turnout gear.

Ricochet offers non-PFAS configurations across its Maverick™, Prime™, and Response™ structural turnout gear packages using qualifying materials and components that meet the applicable ≤100 ppm total fluorine threshold.

NFPA 1970 does not require turnout gear to be non-PFAS. Rather, manufacturers can offer certified material systems using either fluorinated or qualifying non-PFAS technologies, depending on the materials and configuration selected.

Because material options and technologies continue to evolve, customers and dealers should refer to Ricochet’s current resources for the latest available non-PFAS options and supporting information.

View Current Non-PFAS Turnout Gear Options →

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), scientific research suggests that exposure to certain PFAS may be associated with adverse health outcomes. Studies have identified potential effects including reproductive and developmental effects, increased risk of certain cancers, reduced immune response, interference with the body’s natural hormones, and increased cholesterol levels and/or risk of obesity.

Research is ongoing, and the potential health effects can vary depending on the specific PFAS, level and duration of exposure, and other factors. People may be exposed to PFAS through a variety of pathways, including contaminated drinking water and food, certain consumer products, occupational environments, and PFAS-containing firefighting foams.

Researchers continue to study PFAS exposure among firefighters and the potential contribution of different occupational exposure sources, including protective equipment, firefighting foams, combustion environments, and other materials encountered during emergency response.

Additional information about current PFAS health research is available on the EPA’s PFAS website.

Learn More

Yes. Ricochet offers certified non-PFAS structural firefighting gear options and continues to work with material suppliers to expand the number of non-PFAS composite configurations available to departments.

Under NFPA 1970, qualifying protective elements can be identified as having a PFAS (total fluorine) concentration of no more than 100 ppm (≤100 ppm) upon certification. Total fluorine is used as a proxy for evaluating PFAS because there is not currently a standardized method for directly measuring every PFAS chemical that may be present in a material or component.

Explore our available non-PFAS turnout gear solutions to compare certified composites, materials, and package options.

Explore Non-PFAS Turnout Gear & Resources

As with all new products, there can be tradeoffs when new material technologies are introduced. Our foremost concern is to ensure that any product introduced by Ricochet complies with all minimum requirements of the r NFPA and protects first responders from the hazardous conditions they encounter on the job. For those materials or components that are made without PFAS, we believe there will be pros and cons to the new material or component. The transition to PFAS-free outer shells may mean that clothing exteriors are more likely to pick up water weight, stain more easily, and absorb increased amounts of contaminant. However, we do not know how these new finishes will affect overall outer shell durability or ease of cleaning, which could be better or worse than outer shells that use PFAS-based finishes. Where barrier materials no longer use PFAS, there could be similar decreases in performance particularly as related to breathability and durability, though there is no current information to evaluate these potential impacts since new moisture barriers are not available in certified gear. If breathability is lowered, it is possible that the choices of composites involving selection of outer shell and thermal barriers could further be affected. It is also possible that other shortcomings or advantages will be discovered once the new PFAS-free technology has been used in the field for a few years. Ricochet will inform its customers about any tradeoffs as additional information and field data become available. 

For more information, feel free to visit our website or talk to your Ricochet sales representative. We will do our best to keep you as informed as we are!