aluminum hard hats

[El Quachito]

What's the scoop on the China-made aluminum hard hats? It is what it is I guess. I need one for later this summer but its place of manufacture gives me the willies.

So what's the word from people who actualy wear one?

Thanks.

 

[bnmc98]

I think mine is made there. not at work though so I can't check for sure but %92.7 sure.
Has had broken suspension twice (couple good bell-ringers) and many dents from falling objects. Seems to keep me alive.
You can get replacement susp. fairly easy online.

 

[2dogs]

I started out wearing a plastic hard hat in 1974. Switched to a Mac-T probably in the late seventies, Cody is still wearing that cap. I have gone through several plastic hats over the years including a few cap with screens (I like those for fire wooding, splitting, etc.) and am now wearing a Chinese made Skull Bucket. I have at least 6 Mac-Ts, one with a cool old CDF fire camp sticker, but I think they inferior to the Skull Bucket. From what I have read Mac-Ts are not good regarding penetration. If you want protection then make sure your suspension is always in top shape. Change it out if there are any rips or tears.

 

[El Quachito]

It looks like the rivets ontop the new ones is for reinforcing the top.

 

[2dogs]

It looks like the rivets ontop the new ones is for reinforcing the top.

The rivets hold a form fitted reinforcement plate on the inside.

 

[Gypo Logger]

I need one of those hard hats. I look like such a numpty in my peckerbill hat. Lol

 

[2dogs]

Nothing worse than looking like a numpty.

 

[madhatte]

I've been wearing those Chinese tin hats for several years now, and haven't had a problem. I've taken a couple of good whacks and have been adequately protected. The new suspensions are better than the old Mac-T ones (sacrilege!) and in all, they are a pretty good lid.

 

[BeatCJ]

Are they legal for Fire? Mine is about due for replacement. With plastic, the Velcro for the shroud doesn't stay in place, I can't paint it, it just leaves a little to be desired.

 

[treeslayer2003]

i been considering it................since it bugged y'all so bad lol. it prolly is a good idea, i am getting slower.

 

[Skeans]

I have a skull bucket this is my second one the first one took a hit that popped the rivets out of the plate and the side got crushed almost to my ear so they do work good.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[madhatte]

I'm about 99% sure that NFPA 1977 forbids the use of aluminum helmets in fire service.

 

[2dogs]

The Interagency Standards for 2013 specify a wildland hardhat as specified in the (then) GSA catalog or meeting that minimum standard. That means plastic only.

Having been involved in fire fighting my entire adult life I would bet the hat manufactures sit on the NFPA 1977 committee. Metal hardhats last forever, plastic hats 5 years. Got to sell them hard hats boys. Let's make something that only lasts a few years.

 

[BeatCJ]

That's true for all of the NFPA Standards. I believe I remember hearing the seats on the various committees are divided into even thirds, manufacturers/suppliers, regulators and firefighters/fire administrators.

 

[catbuster]

The Interagency Standards for 2013 specify a wildland hardhat as specified in the (then) GSA catalog or meeting that minimum standard. That means plastic only.

Having been involved in fire fighting my entire adult life I would bet the hat manufactures sit on the NFPA 1977 committee. Metal hardhats last forever, plastic hats 5 years. Got to sell them hard hats boys. Let's make something that only lasts a few years.

I worked on an oil fire with an aluminum hat for a few hours and felt like my head was in a broiler. I'll say for most wildland applications a metal cap would be fine, but as a matter of heat resistance a fiberglass hat is going to keep your head from being cooked, even with a nomex hood. There's a reason structural helmets were never made of metal, and started as hardened leather instead.

Just my .02 from working different types of fires. I can't comment on the mew tin caps because I'm working around electricity too much now and it would be a bad idea to wear one.

Cat

 

[northmanlogging]

I worked on an oil fire with an aluminum hat for a few hours and felt like my head was in a broiler. I'll say for most wildland applications a metal cap would be fine, but as a matter of heat resistance a fiberglass hat is going to keep your head from being cooked, even with a nomex hood. There's a reason structural helmets were never made of metal, and started as hardened leather instead.

Just my .02 from working different types of fires. I can't comment on the mew tin caps because I'm working around electricity too much now and it would be a bad idea to wear one.

Cat

Um... wut...

 

[Gologit]

Um... wut...

Dunno...

 

[bnmc98]

I like the way aluminum looks, especially with the dents

Makes me feel tougher than I really am.
Or stupider

I guess the two go hand in hand.

I heard a great saying, my friends mom told him
"if you're going to be dumb, you better be tough"

Don't really know what this has to do with the topic but just wanted to post...

 

[Sagetown]

I prefer aluminum full brims. Here's mine. On the underside of the brim it says Skull Bucket made in China.
I don't see anything inferior about it.

 

[2dogs]

I worked on an oil fire with an aluminum hat for a few hours and felt like my head was in a broiler. I'll say for most wildland applications a metal cap would be fine, but as a matter of heat resistance a fiberglass hat is going to keep your head from being cooked, even with a nomex hood. There's a reason structural helmets were never made of metal, and started as hardened leather instead.

Just my .02 from working different types of fires. I can't comment on the mew tin caps because I'm working around electricity too much now and it would be a bad idea to wear one.

Cat

The FD I worked for got talked into buy us leather helmets. Guys claimed they lasted a career. Yeah unless you wore one to a hazmat. Then the city was out $350.00! I haven't seen a fiberglass helmet in 20 years or more. Are they being made again. Most fire helmets, most all hardhats are molded plastic of one type or another.

I was wearing a Mac-T today cutting in front of the chipper IN THE RAIN. Weird, Collyfornia has the warmest February on record and now that it is May I have a fire in the fireplace and I wore a sweatshirt all day today. BTW I spent most of my day escorting the biologist. She is a very sweet lady with her head on square.