NVIC 06-01: Protective equipment for firefighter's outfits

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This Circular gives recommendations on protective clothing for firefighter's outfits required on merchant vessels. It accepts NFPA 1971 as a supplemental guide for minimum design, performance, and certification. It does not apply to specialized ensembles for hazardous chemical incidents.

Applies toThe Circular applies to protective clothing intended for firefighter's outfits required on merchant vessels.

What it says

  1. This Circular provides recommendations on protective clothing intended for firefighter's outfits required on merchant vessels.

    “This Circular provides recommendations on protective clothing intended for”

  2. The Coast Guard does not have a program of approving firefighter's outfits at present.

    NVIC 06-01 a.“Presently, the United States Coast Guard does not have a program of approving”

  3. NFPA 1971 is acceptable as a supplemental guide in the minimum design, performance, and certification requirements for firefighter's outfits.

    NVIC 06-01 a.“NFPA 1971 is acceptable as a supplemental guide in the minimum design, performance, and certification requirements for firefighter's outfits.”

  4. NFPA 1971 requires re-certification of these items on a yearly basis.

    NVIC 06-01 a.“Re-certification of these items is required on a yearly basis per NFPA 1971.”

  5. This Circular does not apply to specialized firefighter's ensembles needed for hazardous chemical incidents.

    NVIC 06-01 b.“This Circular does not apply to specialized firefighter's ensembles needed for hazardous chemical incidents.”

  6. Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection, are encouraged to bring this Circular to the attention of the appropriate individuals in the maritime industry within their zones.

    “Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection, are encouraged to bring this”

Common questions

Does the Coast Guard approve firefighter's outfits?

No. The Circular says the Coast Guard does not have a program of approving firefighter's outfits.

“Presently, the United States Coast Guard does not have a program of approving”

Can NFPA 1971 be used for firefighter's outfits on vessels?

Yes. The Circular says NFPA 1971 is acceptable as a supplemental guide in the minimum design, performance, and certification requirements for firefighter's outfits.

“NFPA 1971 is acceptable as a supplemental guide in the minimum design, performance, and certification requirements for firefighter's outfits.”

Does NVIC 06-01 cover hazardous chemical firefighting suits?

No. This Circular does not apply to specialized firefighter's ensembles needed for hazardous chemical incidents.

“This Circular does not apply to specialized firefighter's ensembles needed for hazardous chemical incidents.”

The text of NVIC 06-01

U.S. Coast Guard, NVIC 06-01 (main body; enclosures not shown)

Protective equipment required for firefighter's outfits.

COMDTPUB P16700.4 NVIC 01 25 MAY 2001 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 6 01 Subj: PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT REQUIRED FOR FIREIGHTER'S OUTFITS Ref: (a) 46 CFR 28.205 (b) 46 CFR 35.30-20 (c) 46 CFR 77.35-5 (d) 46 CFR 96.35-5 (e) 46 CFR 108.497 (f) SOLAS Regulation II-2/17 (g) NFPA 1971, Standard on Protective Ensemble for Structural Fire Fighting (1997 Edition)

Protective equipment required for firefighter's outfits. — PURPOSE. This Circular provides recommendations on protective clothing intended for

firefighter's outfits required on merchant vessels.

Protective equipment required for firefighter's outfits. — DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. This Circular supercedes Navigation and Vessel Inspection

Circular (NVIC) 9-99. Reference (a) was inadvertently omitted in the last revision.

Protective equipment required for firefighter's outfits. — BACKGROUND.

a. The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) require two firefighter's outfits to be aboard for each cargo and tank vessel. Presently, the United States Coast Guard does not have a program of approving firefighter's outfits. References (a) through (e) describe protective clothing as a "...material that will protect the skin from the heat of fire and burns from scalding steam. The outer surface shall be water resistant." b. In order to describe acceptable firefighter's outfits more clearly, the United States Coast Guard published NVIC 4-68 in 1968. The circular discussed four acceptable types of items that are suitable for the intended purpose of firefighting. A brief description of the items was given. These items were limited to protective clothing, boots, gloves and helmets. c. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has since established a standard on protective ensembles for structural fire fighting. This standard is NFPA 1971, Standard on Protective Ensemble for Structural Fire Fighting (reference (g)). The current NFPA 1971 provides guidance on the minimum requirements for design, manufacturing and certification of protective ensembles used in structural fire fighting. These ensembles include coats, trousers, coveralls, helmets, gloves, footwear, and interfacing components.

Protective equipment required for firefighter's outfits. — DISCUSSION.

a. NFPA 1971 is acceptable as a supplemental guide in the minimum design, performance, and certification requirements for firefighter's outfits. Through NFPA 1971, minimum design and performance criteria have already been established for coats, trousers, helmets, gloves, footwear, and interfacing components among these items. A certification process is also given in this standard which includes necessary tests and testing methods for each item. The certifying organization provides a label, symbol or identifying mark attached to each product. Re-certification of these items is required on a yearly basis per NFPA 1971. b. This Circular does not apply to specialized firefighter's ensembles needed for hazardous chemical incidents.

Protective equipment required for firefighter's outfits. — IMPLEMENTATION. Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection, are encouraged to bring this

Circular to the attention of the appropriate individuals in the maritime industry within their zones. PAUL J. PLUTA Rear Admiral, U. S. Coast Guard Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety and Environmental Protection

Sections it refers to

The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.