FAQs

All Questions

Ricochet is an industry leading manufacturer of sophisticated, high-tech Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that is focused on protection, performance, and comfort. Ricochet has been headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for over 20 years, with all manufacturing and operations located in a single master facility.

In addition to serving the United States Military, Ricochet serves customers in multiple sectors of public safety by providing custom engineered PPE including EMS gear for the Philadelphia and Honolulu Fire Departments, Technical Rescue gear to all FDNY Rescue and Squad companies, and structural/turnout gear to multiple Fire Departments throughout the United States and beyond. Ricochet is a long-standing member of FEMSA.

All Ricochet products exceed NFPA standards, and are certified by UL. We're trusted by the FDNY, United States Air Force, and the State of New York.
For more information on Ricochet or Ricochet products, you may contact your local Ricochet Dealer, give us a call at 866-293-8104, or email us at info@ricochet-gear.com. 
All of our products are manufactured in our single master facility and headquarters in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 
The Berry Amendment pertains to Department of Defense purchases and requires that all textiles used in the specified product are American made. 95% of the materials Ricochet’s uses in manufacturing our turnout gear are sourced right here in the United States. The remaining 5% are materials that are simply not manufactured domestically for fire-service applications and must be imported.
Our goal is to ship orders within 8-12 weeks after receipt of order, and our current average is around 10 weeks. Additional time may be needed for larger orders, or if there are raw material shortages.
We have a healthy and growing family of Dealers who are eager and happy to assist you! For help finding your local Dealer, please refer to our Ricochet Dealer Map, or email us at info@ricochet-gear.com.
Ricochet conducts repairs and corrections internally at our facility for all warranty related issues, processing them as fast as possible. For general repairs and alterations, we urge you to please contact a verified third-party ISP. If you need help locating a verified third-party ISP, please feel free to contact us at info@ricochet-gear.com. You may also refer to the Care & Use page of this web site for more information.
We have listened to our customers, first responders from all over the United States. We have taken your input seriously, and developed cutting edge technology with Anatomical Patterning. This pattern design, unique to Ricochet, provides PEE that works with the dynamics of the human body, providing Maximum Mobility™, with greater range of motion than any other turnouts on the market.  Our Anatomical Patterns are engineered to reduce heat stress, hobbling, and fatigue, and designed to provide fit and comfort throughout all three layers of your gear. Contact us today for your own evaluation.
Ricochet has a large selection of certified composites to choose from to meet your department needs. There are many factors that should be considered prior to choosing the outer shell, moisture barrier or thermal liner materials. These factors include thermal protective performance (TPP), total heat loss (THL/breathability), durability, wicking capability, drying time, abrasion resistance, etc.  Selecting the right composite will be greatly influenced by your department’s daily operations. The best solution is to speak to an expert to help your Fire Department in their selection process. Please contact your local Ricochet Dealer or contact us directly at 866-293-8104 or info@ricochet-gear.com to discuss your specific needs.
United States based PPE and garment manufacturers, Ricochet included, are required to purchase only NFPA compliant and UL certified fabrics for all layers of PPE. Currently there are approved fabrics from TenCate, Safety Components, Milliken, NorFab, W.L. GORE, 3M, and Orafil. With very few exceptions, these available materials are utilized by all PPE and garment manufacturers. For more information, please see our Materials Selection Guide.

Please refer to our Materials Selection Guide for detailed information on current available outer shells, or you are welcome to contact us directly at 866-293-8104 or info@ricochet-gear.com to discuss your specific needs.

Nearly all currently available outer shell materials utilize some blend of Nomex®, Kevlar®, or PBI®, all of which are susceptible to color changes, loss of strength, and degradation when exposed to UV light. Ricochet highly recommends that all protective garments should be protected as much as practically possible from direct and indirect sunlight, fluorescent lighting, and other sources of UV light.

The Thermal Protective Performance (TPP) rating measures the insulating performance of your ensemble. The TPP rating is theoretical in nature, and should not be used as a guarantee. According to the TPP rating, the length of time that an ensemble protects you from likely receiving second degree burn in flashover conditions may be determined by dividing the TPP rating in half. For example, a composite with a TPP rating of 42 provides 21 seconds of protection prior to likely receiving second degree burns in a flashover environment. NFPA 1971 requires a minimum 35 TPP rating, which equates to 17.5 seconds until second degree burns are likely to occur in a flashover situation.

Please refer to the Technical Information page of this website for more detailed information.

The Total Heat Loss (THL) rating measures the ability of a garment to allow heat to pass away from the body through the 3 composite layers of your ensemble. Generally, the higher the THL, the more likely the system will be able to dissipate excess body heat. NFPA 1971 requires a minimum total heat loss of 205 w/m2.

Please refer to the Technical Information page of this website for more detailed information.

When selecting fabrics for your turnouts, it is important to remember that heavier, thicker materials typically give higher TPP values, and that higher TPP value may also cause you greater heat stress. There are several lighter weight fabrics today which may not provide a higher TPP value but will allow for a greater THL value which equates to breathability. Your material selection process should begin with a risk assessment that is discussed in NFPA 1851. Our TPP and THL testing is supported by our fabric suppliers. The actual TPP and THL values for all of our composites are provided by Underwriters Laboratories. For additional information you may contact your local Ricochet Dealer, give us a call at 866-293-8104, or email us at info@ricochet-gear.com.

The Conductive and Compressive Heat Resistance (CCHR) test is to specify minimums in protective insulation required in high compression areas.

Please refer to the technical Information page of this website for more detailed information.

Absolutely! We have worked closely with some of the best Independent Service Providers in this country, writing fire departments SOP’s for implementing their NFPA 1851 program.  Our highly qualified Regional Sales Managers can assist you with establishing specifications, implementation, SOP’s, driving routes and pickups and pricing. For more information you may contact your local Ricochet Dealer, give us a call at 866-293-8104, or email us at info@ricochet-gear.com.
Click Here to view the warranty for Ricochet products. For more information, please contact us.

About Ricochet

Ricochet is an industry leading manufacturer of sophisticated, high-tech Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that is focused on protection, performance, and comfort. Ricochet has been headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for over 20 years, with all manufacturing and operations located in a single master facility.

In addition to serving the United States Military, Ricochet serves customers in multiple sectors of public safety by providing custom engineered PPE including EMS gear for the Philadelphia and Honolulu Fire Departments, Technical Rescue gear to all FDNY Rescue and Squad companies, and structural/turnout gear to multiple Fire Departments throughout the United States and beyond. Ricochet is a long-standing member of FEMSA.

All Ricochet products exceed NFPA standards, and are certified by UL. We're trusted by the FDNY, United States Air Force, and the State of New York.
For more information on Ricochet or Ricochet products, you may contact your local Ricochet Dealer, give us a call at 866-293-8104, or email us at info@ricochet-gear.com. 
All of our products are manufactured in our single master facility and headquarters in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 
We have listened to our customers, first responders from all over the United States. We have taken your input seriously, and developed cutting edge technology with Anatomical Patterning. This pattern design, unique to Ricochet, provides PEE that works with the dynamics of the human body, providing Maximum Mobility™, with greater range of motion than any other turnouts on the market.  Our Anatomical Patterns are engineered to reduce heat stress, hobbling, and fatigue, and designed to provide fit and comfort throughout all three layers of your gear. Contact us today for your own evaluation.
United States based PPE and garment manufacturers, Ricochet included, are required to purchase only NFPA compliant and UL certified fabrics for all layers of PPE. Currently there are approved fabrics from TenCate, Safety Components, Milliken, NorFab, W.L. GORE, 3M, and Orafil. With very few exceptions, these available materials are utilized by all PPE and garment manufacturers. For more information, please see our Materials Selection Guide.

Standards & Guidelines

The Berry Amendment pertains to Department of Defense purchases and requires that all textiles used in the specified product are American made. 95% of the materials Ricochet’s uses in manufacturing our turnout gear are sourced right here in the United States. The remaining 5% are materials that are simply not manufactured domestically for fire-service applications and must be imported.

The Thermal Protective Performance (TPP) rating measures the insulating performance of your ensemble. The TPP rating is theoretical in nature, and should not be used as a guarantee. According to the TPP rating, the length of time that an ensemble protects you from likely receiving second degree burn in flashover conditions may be determined by dividing the TPP rating in half. For example, a composite with a TPP rating of 42 provides 21 seconds of protection prior to likely receiving second degree burns in a flashover environment. NFPA 1971 requires a minimum 35 TPP rating, which equates to 17.5 seconds until second degree burns are likely to occur in a flashover situation.

Please refer to the Technical Information page of this website for more detailed information.

The Total Heat Loss (THL) rating measures the ability of a garment to allow heat to pass away from the body through the 3 composite layers of your ensemble. Generally, the higher the THL, the more likely the system will be able to dissipate excess body heat. NFPA 1971 requires a minimum total heat loss of 205 w/m2.

Please refer to the Technical Information page of this website for more detailed information.

When selecting fabrics for your turnouts, it is important to remember that heavier, thicker materials typically give higher TPP values, and that higher TPP value may also cause you greater heat stress. There are several lighter weight fabrics today which may not provide a higher TPP value but will allow for a greater THL value which equates to breathability. Your material selection process should begin with a risk assessment that is discussed in NFPA 1851. Our TPP and THL testing is supported by our fabric suppliers. The actual TPP and THL values for all of our composites are provided by Underwriters Laboratories. For additional information you may contact your local Ricochet Dealer, give us a call at 866-293-8104, or email us at info@ricochet-gear.com.

The Conductive and Compressive Heat Resistance (CCHR) test is to specify minimums in protective insulation required in high compression areas.

Please refer to the technical Information page of this website for more detailed information.

Absolutely! We have worked closely with some of the best Independent Service Providers in this country, writing fire departments SOP’s for implementing their NFPA 1851 program.  Our highly qualified Regional Sales Managers can assist you with establishing specifications, implementation, SOP’s, driving routes and pickups and pricing. For more information you may contact your local Ricochet Dealer, give us a call at 866-293-8104, or email us at info@ricochet-gear.com.

Purchases and Delivery

Our goal is to ship orders within 8-12 weeks after receipt of order, and our current average is around 10 weeks. Additional time may be needed for larger orders, or if there are raw material shortages.
We have a healthy and growing family of Dealers who are eager and happy to assist you! For help finding your local Dealer, please refer to our Ricochet Dealer Map, or email us at info@ricochet-gear.com.

Materials

Ricochet conducts repairs and corrections internally at our facility for all warranty related issues, processing them as fast as possible. For general repairs and alterations, we urge you to please contact a verified third-party ISP. If you need help locating a verified third-party ISP, please feel free to contact us at info@ricochet-gear.com. You may also refer to the Care & Use page of this web site for more information.
Ricochet has a large selection of certified composites to choose from to meet your department needs. There are many factors that should be considered prior to choosing the outer shell, moisture barrier or thermal liner materials. These factors include thermal protective performance (TPP), total heat loss (THL/breathability), durability, wicking capability, drying time, abrasion resistance, etc.  Selecting the right composite will be greatly influenced by your department’s daily operations. The best solution is to speak to an expert to help your Fire Department in their selection process. Please contact your local Ricochet Dealer or contact us directly at 866-293-8104 or info@ricochet-gear.com to discuss your specific needs.

Please refer to our Materials Selection Guide for detailed information on current available outer shells, or you are welcome to contact us directly at 866-293-8104 or info@ricochet-gear.com to discuss your specific needs.

Nearly all currently available outer shell materials utilize some blend of Nomex®, Kevlar®, or PBI®, all of which are susceptible to color changes, loss of strength, and degradation when exposed to UV light. Ricochet highly recommends that all protective garments should be protected as much as practically possible from direct and indirect sunlight, fluorescent lighting, and other sources of UV light.
Click Here to view the warranty for Ricochet products. For more information, please contact us.