What additional protection is necessary for personnel to combat composite fibers resulting from an aircraft fire?

Respiratory protection is essential to protect personnel from inhaling harmful particulate matter and toxic fumes that can be released when composite materials burn. Composite fibers, often used in aircraft constructions due to their lightweight and strong characteristics, can produce hazardous smoke and fine particles during a fire. These particles can irritate the respiratory system and pose serious health risks if inhaled. Therefore, having appropriate respiratory protection ensures that personnel can safely operate in environments where such materials are burning or smoldering.

While gloves, eye protection, and body armor provide various forms of safety, they do not specifically address the inhalation hazards posed by burning composites. Gloves provide hand protection, eye protection safeguards against flying debris or chemicals, and body armor offers protection against blunt force trauma or shrapnel, but these measures alone do not mitigate the risks associated with potentially toxic inhalants that arise from the combustion of composite materials. Thus, respiratory protection is the critical component necessary to ensure the safety and health of personnel in such situations.