What class of PPE are the turnouts?

• A. Class D
• B. Class A
• C. Class B
• D. Class C

Answer: (A)

PPE class designations reflect the level and type of protection the clothing provides for specific hazards. Turnout gear is the protective ensemble firefighters wear for structural fire attack, designed mainly to shield against heat and flames and to give some physical protection. In this drill’s labeling system, that standard firefighting gear is categorized as Class D. It isn’t a fully encapsulated or chemically protective suit, and it isn’t designed for high-risk hazards like chemical exposure or arc flash, which are covered by other classes. So, the turnout gear being Class D fits its purpose as basic fire-ground protection rather than advanced hazard protection.