Firehouse Labs conducted a third-party, independent field test of the Ram Air Gear drying technology. The company is firefighter-owned and boasts a wide range of products that are engineered to help to dry PPE. Although several models were available, it was decided to test the company’s midrange model, the TG-6H, which is a heated bunker gear dryer that’s designed to hold as many as 12 pieces of gear, 6 helmets and 18 accessories. The company stands by its marketing phrase, “Dry Gear Fast,” which our independent analysis supported.
The Review
Over the period of two days, Firehouse Labs thoroughly tested and documented the performance of the TG-6H. Accounting for variables, including ambient air temperature and humidity, the testing was conducted under field-level conditions. The gear that was selected for the testing was purposefully chosen to provide a representation of various manufacturers, designs, materials and features. As a control, two sets of identical gear (only slightly varied in size) were in the test group, with one being subjected to a hang-dry option to identify the ambient air-drying capability.
To measure the effectiveness of the dryer, turnout gear weight was measured prior to washing (dry), post-washing (wet) and after it was on the gear dryer for one hour. Even if the gear felt dry, it wasn’t considered dry until it was back to its starting weight.
It’s important to note that at no time during the test did the evaluator register a temperature that was hotter than the maximum 105 degrees Fahrenheit that was established by NFPA 1851: Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting.
The ResultsTesting revealed that 90 percent of the time, the gear was dry within one hour. Outliers to the one-hour result included gear that had thick leather knee pads, integrated belts, large solid areas of reflective material, or inner pocket liners that used moisture-barrier material, essentially trapping moisture between two non-permeable surfaces.
In all but one test, the gear that wasn’t back to its starting weight felt dry to the touch, particularly in areas that are prone to holding water, such as the underarm or groin areas of the gear. This is an impressive result considering that the average amount of water in the wet gear was nearly half a liter.
The inner liner of the gear held more water than the outer shells. However, the various pockets, patches, built-in padding in the elbows and knees, and folds in the fabric of the outer shells proved to be the last areas to dry. Areas, such as the neck shroud, could expedite drying with minor adjustments throughout the drying process; however, these adjustments were minimal and didn’t disrupt the drying process.
When questioned about variables that could affect drying time, Ram Air Gear representatives mentioned ambient air temperatures, humidity levels and many of the gear manufacturing variables that were discovered during testing. Overall, the results were consistent and proved that the gear dryer would “Dry Gear Fast.”
The Product
The Ram Air Gear product line was designed to maximize airflow to each piece of gear on the system. Opening accessory drying ports didn’t reduce the airflow to other areas, and it was noted that there was more than enough airflow to fully inflate any gloves that were placed on the dryer. The controls were easy to understand and had built-in safeguards to prevent user errors that might damage firefighter turnout gear.
The design of this dryer combines impressive airflow volume and consistency, specifically engineered with firefighters’ needs in mind. Each unit is sized to fit through a standard doorway and comes equipped with casters, which makes it easy to move without requiring an expensive installation.
Backed by a five-year warranty, this product has proven it can walk the walk, proudly earning the Firehouse Labs Seal of Approval.
Firehouse Staff
Content written and created by Firehouse Magazine editors.
