Firefighters and Beards
Firefighters with beards have a long tradition in fire service. It’s been going on for hundreds of years, and some firefighters can be seen sporting full facial hair nowadays. However, the question raised is, Can firefighters have beards? Every fire service when it comes to beards and masks. You might wonder if you have a beard or not because you are working in the fire service.
Rule- No federal law prohibits facial hair for firefighters
Federal law of the United States of America and other nations does not prohibit firefighters from having facial hair. Similarly, It also does not require that they should be clean-shaven. So it is an individual choice of the firefighter whether to have a beard or not, as no rule is available regarding this.
Firefighters can have beards for medical reasons
If you’re a firefighter and you have a beard, it’s important to keep in mind that there are certain conditions that would require you to grow one. For example, firefighters who are allergic to dust or diesel fumes could get sick if they don’t wear masks while fighting flames. Other conditions include:
Diabetes and Beards
The American Diabetes Association recommends that people with diabetes keep their blood glucose levels under control using medication and lifestyle changes like eating healthy foods and exercising regularly. A study published in the journal “Diabetes Care” found that people with type 2 diabetes who had beards had lower blood pressure than those without facial hair.
AsthmaÂ
Having asthma means having trouble breathing because of an inflammation of the airways in your lungs. If an individual has asthma, but another doesn’t, and they both work as firefighters at the same firehouse where there’s smoke around all day long. Then both of them could develop an asthma attack from breathing because of carbon monoxide. Here beards have no influence.
A beard can interfere with a mask’s seal of SCBA
Yes, it is a matter of concern for fire professionals as a beard can interfere with a mask’s seal of SCBA- Self Contained Breathing Apparatus.
- In case a firefighter is wearing a respirator, make sure that your mask is clean and free of debris before putting it on.
- You should also check the fit of your respirator every day or two to make sure it’s comfortable and won’t interfere with moving around during work.
- Therefore, NFPA 1500, NFPA 1404, and NFPA 1981 don’t allow the beard for firefighters as it may interfere with the SCBA face mask.
The fire service has standards for facial hair
You’ll want to make sure that your beard is clean and well-groomed. It’s also important that it doesn’t distract from the task at hand when you’re in a fire station. Or interfere with the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) while managing fire Emergencies.
You should also avoid having facial hair that could be a health or safety hazard.
For example, if you have long eyebrows that are thick enough to cover up your eyesight. Those could get caught on firefighting equipment and cause injury. The same goes for beards. It’s not uncommon for firefighters who grow their own facial hair to want them clipped short before going to work every day. So they don’t get caught in any machinery or equipment during training exercises.
Generally, firefighters are allowed to have beards
Generally, firefighters have liberty and are allowed to grow beards. However, they must be kept neat and clean. A beard that is well-groomed and neat will help a firefighter look professional. It’s important to keep the length of your beard at an appropriate level. So that it doesn’t interfere with the seal of your mask of SCBA during training or operations. You should also make sure that anything hanging from your face does not interfere with communication equipment (such as radio mics).
Conclusion
Worldwide, Beards are generally common and allowed for firefighters. But there are some important rules and regulations like NFPA 1500, NFPA 1404, and NFPA 1981 which don’t allow. That includes trimming beards to avoid interference with the seal of the Facemask and other safety equipment (like a protective hood). Second, you should only grow a beard if it is medically necessary; i.e. You have a skin condition that makes having facial hair difficult or dangerous. Finally, when growing out your beard properly and safely will help prevent fires from happening in the first place!
FAQs
Can male firefighters have long hair?
The images of firefighters on popular platforms are shown with a crew cut or a clean-shaven head. But does this mean that male firefighters cannot have long hair?
The simple answer to this most frequently asked question is NO. However, there are many fire services and departments that are still developing their standards. These departments require shorter hairstyles. In fact, there are no specific rules prohibiting men from having long hair.
However, it’s an undeniable fact that long hair can pose a safety risk for firefighters due to their entanglement hazard. This hair can get caught in firefighting equipment or hinder vision during rescue operations. There are also some departments that may require male firefighters with longer hair to wear it in a bun or ponytail while on duty.
Ultimately, the decision to have long hair as a firefighter should be made by keeping safety considerations in mind.
Firefighter Beard Styles
For You
Firefighter Female Makeup Bag
This firefighter makeup bag cosmetic pouch made of durable and lightweight material for storage of cosmetics in a suitcase and is easy to carry. It is easy to store small items, makeup brushes, etc., to make firefighters’ daily make-up, eyebrows, eyeliner, cream, lipstick, perfume, and other beautiful things organized and protected.
Hi, I am John Smit a Captain in Fire Department City of Newyork with over years of experience in the field of Firefighting and HSE. My passion for fire safety started when I was a young boy and witnessed a neighbor’s house go up in flames along with precious lives. Since then, I had dedicated my life to ensuring the safety of buildings, properties, and individuals in case of a fire and medical emergencies.
