Abstract:
A firefighter&#39;s fire resistant hood designed for attachment to a firefighter&#39;s fire resistant mask using a fastening means to form a seal between the firefighter&#39;s fire resistant hood and firefighter&#39;s fire resistant mask thereby preventing injury to the firefighter&#39;s head, face, neck, shoulders and back. The firefighter&#39;s fire resistant hood comprises a head portion and a shoulder portion. The head portion has a face opening. The inner periphery of the face opening contains a securing means to interface with another securing means on the mask element thus removably attaching the two elements.

Description:
STATEMENTS REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention is a firefighter fire resistant hood for a mask to provide improved protection to a firefighter&#39;s face, head and neck during various firefighting scenarios especially interior structure fires where the heat generated by the fire is often the cause of facial and other types of burns and injuries and death for firefighters. 
         [0004]    Firefighter gear is designed to provide the firefighter protection from the intense heat associated with all firefighting, especially interior fires. For an interior fire, a typical firefighting ensemble includes fire boots, fire pants, a fire coat, fire gloves, a face mask, a Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), fire hood and a hard hat fire helmet. This equipment is constructed from fire resistant materials such as Nomex® brand. This firefighter gear typically protects firefighters from many of the dangers of interior firefighting including intense heat, flashovers and smoke explosions. In particular, a firefighter&#39;s hood should protect a firefighter&#39;s face and neck in the areas where the firefighter&#39;s mask does not cover. 
         [0005]    Prior art attempts to provide neck and face protection for firefighters have failed to provide a tight coupling between the firefighter&#39;s hood and the firefighters mask. While a firefighters hood may appear to be tightly coupled with the firefighter&#39;s mask when the firefighter first places the hood over their head, slipping and bunching often occurs as the firefighter adds additional gear to their ensemble. A known prior art firefighter&#39;s hood includes hood made of fire resistant fabric materials and a releasable flap at the front to allow placing it over a firefighter&#39;s mask. This hood includes an opening for the fire fighter&#39;s mask. Another known prior art firefighter&#39;s hood is an stretchable hood that easily stretches to allow positioning it over a fire fighter&#39;s mask. This hood also includes an opening for the fire fighter&#39;s mask. A hard firefighter&#39;s helmet is typically worn on top of a hood. 
         [0006]    Tightening the chin strap of the firefighter&#39;s helmet may cause bunching of a conventional hood between the face mask and the hood. This bunching can lead to gaps which present a burn risk to the firefighters Because firefighters must dress very quickly when they respond to a fire, slight gaps between the firefighter&#39;s mask and hood often go unnoticed. As a result firefighters often suffer from steam burns on their cheeks where the coupling between their face mask and hood gives way. 
         [0007]    Many firefighters elect to wear two hoods to provide more complete facial coverage. Firefighters who do this will wear one thin skintight hood as well as one looser fitting hood. While wearing two hoods does provide additional coverage, it is still not designed to prevent facial burns that occur from heat that reaches the firefighters face through the gap between the hoods and the face mask. Moreover, firefighters need to dress extremely fast once they have been called to action and putting on two hoods requires additional time. 
         [0008]    The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) promulgates standards for firefighter safety. The present invention is designed to meet NFPA standards and the Texas Commission of Fire Protection. Initial testing indicates that the invention provides better protection to a fire fighter than prior art hoods. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    One object of the present invention is to provide an improved protective firefighter hood and mask with fasteners to provide for coupling between a firefighter&#39;s mask and the firefighter&#39;s hood. 
         [0010]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved protective firefighter hood and mask design to minimize the risk of firefighter facial burns and death. 
         [0011]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved protective firefighter hood which provides additional coverage for the shoulders of firefighters. 
         [0012]    An additional object of the present invention is to provide an improved protective firefighter hood which provides firefighters with the option of leaving the hood outside the collar of their firefighting jackets. 
         [0013]    Another object of the present invention is to reduce the average amount of time it takes for a firefighter to don and properly position his firefighting gear. 
         [0014]    These and other objects are attained in accordance with the present invention which comprise of a hood element for attaching to a mask element. The hood element comprises of a head portion, a shoulder portion joined to the head portion at the neck join and a face opening in the head portion of the hood element. The mask element comprises a traditional firefighter mask which is adapted for attachment to the hood element. 
         [0015]    The hood element of the present invention is constructed using a conventional fire resistant fabric such as Nomex® brand. The head portion provides protection to the head, face, and neck of the firefighter and the shoulder portion provides protection to the neck, shoulders, back and chest of the firefighters The edge of the face opening contains a means for removably affixing the hood element to the mask element, such as hook and loop fasteners or snaps. 
         [0016]    The mask element of the present invention comprises a traditional firefighters mask adapted for connection to the face opening of the hood element. Such adaptation comprises a means for removably affixing the mask portion to the hood element such as Velcro® brand hook and loop fastens or snaps. The fasteners are secured to the edges of the mask in such a manner as to provide a close and tight connection between the mask element and the hood element. 
         [0017]    The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) promulgates standards for firefighter safety. The present invention is designed to meet NFPA standards and the Texas Commission of Fire Protection. Initial testing indicates that the invention provides better protection to a fire fighter than prior art hoods. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective front view of the hood and mask elements of one embodiment the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a perspective front view of the mask element of one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is an inside-out view of the hood element of one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a perspective front view of the hood element of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a perspective rear view of the hood element of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a perspective front view of the mask element of one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is an inside-out view of the hood element of one embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a perspective front view of the hood and mask elements of one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]      FIG. 1  shows the invention generally including both the fire resistant hood element  10  and the mask element  11 . The fire resistant hood element  10  is comprised of multiple layers of Nomex® brand or other fire resistant fabric and is generally comprised of an integral head portion  12  and shoulder portion  14  attached to the head portion  12  at the neck join  13 . The head portion  12  is shaped to accommodate the head and neck of the firefighters The shoulder portion  14  of the fire resistant hood element  10  is flared to accommodate the firefighter&#39;s shoulders. The head portion  12  and shoulder portion  14  are attached at the neck join  13 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the shoulder portion  14  is designed to extend completely over and around the firefighter&#39;s shoulders as well as the firefighters back and chest. The integral shoulder portion  14  provides enough coverage to lay outside and on top of the firefighter&#39;s coat at the firefighter&#39;s option. It also can be tucked inside the coat. The mask element  11  is a standard firefighters mask or breathing device adapted to be removably securable and sealable to the fire resistant hood element  10 . 
         [0027]    The standard mask element  11  is comprised of a transparent face portion  15 , two voice transmitters on either side of the mask  16  and  17 , and an opening for insertion of a SCBA regulator  18 . The head portion  12  of the fire resistant hood element  10  includes a face opening  19  to accommodate the mask element  11 . 
         [0028]    The conventional mask element  11  and new fire resistant hood element  10  are secured at the mask/hood interface  20  with fastener elements, the hood fastener  21  and the mask fastener  29 . In one preferred embodiment, both fasteners  21  and  29  are Velcro® brand hook and loop fasteners. In another preferred embodiment, both fasteners  21  and  29  are snap fasteners. 
         [0029]    In the preferred embodiment, the head portion  12  is comprised of integral panels of Nomex® brand or other fire resistant material stitched together using Nomex® brand or other fire resistant thread. The multiple layers of fire resistant material will resist high temperatures for a limited amount of time and protect the fire fighter from heat and burning. The panels comprising the head portion  12  of the fire resistant hood element  10  extend downwards to the neck join  13  of the fire resistant hood element  10  where they attach to the panels comprising the shoulder portion  14  of the fire resistant hood element  10 . The shoulder portion  14  extends from the head portion  12  at the neck join  13  and flares outwards at a consistent angle from the neck join  13 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the shoulder portion  14  of the fire resistant hood element  10  extends out at least six inches from the neck join  13  to cover the firefighter&#39;s shoulders and a portion of the firefighter&#39;s back and chest. The shoulder portion  14  of the fire resistant hood element  10  is comprised of panels of Nomex® brand or other fire resistant material stitched together using Nomex® brand or other fire resistant thread. 
         [0030]    The panels comprising the head portion  12  of the hood element vary in size and are arranged in such a manner as to form the shape of the head portion  12  as described above. Two equal sized side panels  22  and  23  are placed on either side of the face opening and extend upward vertically where they join the top center panel  24  and the anterior top panel  25  and downward to the neck join  13  where they join the shoulder panels  26  and  27 . The shoulder panels  26  and  27  and back panels form a continuous wrap around the shoulders, back and front of the firefighter so that there are no gaps that would allow exposure of the firefighter&#39;s head. 
         [0031]    The top of the head portion  12  of the fire resistant hood element  10  is comprised of two panels  24  and  25 . One top center  24  panel covers the majority of the top center of the head portion  12  of the fire resistant hood element  10 , extending horizontally from the rear of the hood element toward the face opening  19  where it joins the anterior top panel  25  which extends downward to the face opening  19 . The back section of the head portion  12  of the fire resistant hood element  10  is comprised of two equally sized back panels, the left back head panel  42  and the right back head panel  43 . The left back head panel  42  joins the right side panel  22  of the head portion  12  vertically along the left edge, the top center panel  24  horizontally along the top edge of the left back head panel  42 , the left shoulder back panel  44  of the shoulder portion  14  of the fire resistant hood element  10  horizontally along the bottom edge of the left back head panel  42  at the neck join  13 , and the right back head panel  43  vertically along the right edge of the left back head panel  42 . The right back head panel  43  joins the left side panel  23  of the head portion  12  vertically along the right edge, the top center panel  24  horizontally along the top edge of the right back head panel  43 , the right shoulder back panel  45  of the shoulder portion  14  of the fire resistant hood element  10  horizontally along the bottom edge of the left back head panel  42  at the neck join  13 , and the left back head panel  42  vertically along the left edge of the right back head panel  43 . 
         [0032]    The shoulder portion  14  of the fire resistant hood element  10  is comprised of four continuous panels with no gaps which extend from the neck join  13  where they are joined with the head portion  12 . The shoulder panels are arranged about the fire resistant hood element  10  extending from the neck join  13 . The two side shoulder panels  26  and  27  extend from where they are joined to the two side head panels  22  and  23  at the neck join  13 . The fabric comprising the side shoulder panels  26  and  27  flares as it extends downward to accommodate the shoulders of the firefighters The two back panels of the shoulder portion  14  are the left back shoulder portion  44  and the right back shoulder portion  45 . The back shoulder panels  44  and  45  are of a similar in size and dimension to the two back head panels  42  and  43 . The left back shoulder panel  44  extends downwards from where it is attached to the left back head panel  42  at the neck join  13  of the fire resistant hood element  10 . The left back shoulder panel  44  joins the left back head panel  42  horizontally at the top edge of the left back shoulder panel  44 , the right shoulder panel  27  vertically on the left edge of the left back shoulder panel  44  and the right back shoulder panel  45  vertically along the right edge of the left back shoulder panel  44 . The bottom of the left back shoulder panel  44  is hemmed and does not join with anything. The right back shoulder panel  45  extends downwards from where it is attached to the right back head panel  43  at the neck join  13  of the fire resistant hood element  10 . The right back shoulder panel  45  joins the right back head panel  43  horizontally at the top edge of the right back shoulder panel  45  and the left back shoulder panel  44  vertically along the left edge of the right back shoulder panel  45 . The bottom of the right back shoulder panel  45  is hemmed and does not join with anything. The two side shoulder panels  26  and  27  join each other under the face opening  19  of the head portion  12  of the fire resistant hood element  10  along the firefighter&#39;s sternum. 
         [0033]    The hood fastener  21  is attached on the interior to the two side panels of the head portion  22  and  23 , and the anterior top panel  25  using Nomex® brand or other fire resistant thread. The hood fastener  21  of the fire resistant hood element  10  is attached in an inward facing direction to facilitate interface with the mask fastener  29  of the mask element  11 . In one preferred embodiment, both the hood fastener  21  and the mask fastener  29  are hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro® brand. In the alternate preferred embodiment, the hood fastener  21  and the mask fastener  29  comprise snap fasteners. 
         [0034]      FIG. 2  shows the conventional mask element  11  of the preferred embodiment of the invention in detail. The mask element  11  comprises a transparent face portion  15 , two voice transmitters  16  and  17  on opposite sides of the mask element  11 , and an SCBA opening  18  for insertion of a SCBA regulator. The conventional mask element  11  comprises a new mask fastener  29  portion added which is affixed to the edge of the transparent face portion  15  of the mask element  11 . The new mask fastener  29  for the mask element  11  interfaces with mating fasteners on the hood fastener  21  of the fire resistant hood element  10  at the mask/hood interface  20 . The mask element  11  also encompasses a conventional mesh head harness which is not pictured and a head strap  30 . 
         [0035]    The transparent face portion  15  of the mask element  11  is constructed from conventional heat resistant plastic material to maximize both fire resistance and visibility. The head strap  30  is made adjustable by threading the head strap  30  through metal clips  31  and  32  which are affixed to both ends of the head strap  30 . The metal clips  31  and  32  are affixed so that the clips can slide along the head strap  30  allowing the head strap&#39;s  30  length to be adjusted in a range from a full extension to fifty-percent therof. The head strap  30  is attached to the edge of the fire resistant face mask  37  using metal brackets  33  and  34  which are screwed into the face mask with metal screws  35  and  36 . The edge portion  37  of the fire resistant mask is designed to create a seal with the firefighter&#39;s face to prevent smoke from reaching the firefighter&#39;s nose and mouth. The edge portion  37  of the fire resistant face mask is shaped to fit around the firefighter&#39;s face. Accordingly, the edge portion  37  is larger at the top forehead portion of the mask element  11  and narrows toward the bottom chin portion of the mask element. The edge portion of the mask  37  is overlapped by the transparent face portion of the mask  15  on the edges of the transparent face portion  15  where the mask fastener  29  is affixed around the entire edge of transparent face portion  15 . A regulator and a conventional oxygen tank may be attached to the mask element  11  at SCBA opening  18  for extending breathing during exposure to smoke and other lung damaging conditions. 
         [0036]    The head strap  30  is attached to the mask element  11  at the chin area of the mask element  11  using plastic and metal fasteners  35  and  36  which are permanently affixed through the lower chin portion of the mask element  11 . The mesh head harness, which is not pictured, is attached to the mask element  11  using plastic and metal screws  38 - 40  which are permanently affixed through the upper forehead portion of the mask element  11 . These screws also serve to attach the face mask edge  37  with the transparent face portion  15  of the mask element  11 . The voice transmitters  16  and  17  are located on opposite sides of the SCBA opening  18  and are utilized to allow a firefighter to communicate through their mask. 
         [0037]      FIG. 3  shows an inside-out view of the fire resistant hood element  10 . This figure shows the interior of the fire resistant hood element  10  comprising a fire resistant head portion  12  and a fire resistant shoulder portion  14  joined to the head portion  12  at the neck join  13 . The head portion  12  of the fire resistant hood element  10  contains a face opening  19  to accommodate the fire resistant mask element  11  shown in  FIG. 2 . The inside-out view of the fire resistant hood element  10  as shown in  FIG. 3  demonstrates the hood fastener  21 . The hood fastener  21  interfaces with the mask fastener  29  to removably attach the fire resistant hood element  10  with the mask element  11  and seal and secure the mask with the hood. In the preferred embodiment, the interior of the hood element is lined with a lining of Nomex® brand or other fire resistant fabric  41 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 4  shows a frontal view of the fire resistant hood element  10 . The figure shows the fire resistant hood element  10  comprising a head portion  12  and a shoulder portion  14  extending below the head portion  12  from the neck join  13 . The head portion  12  of the fire resistant hood element  10  contains a face opening  19  to accommodate the mask element  11  shown in  FIG. 2 . The hood fastener  21  can be seen on the interior of the fire resistant hood element  10  through the face opening  19 . 
         [0039]    In the preferred embodiment, the head portion  12  is comprised of integral panels of Nomex® brand or other fire resistant material stitched together using Nomex® brand or other fire resistant thread. The panels comprising the head portion  12  of the fire resistant hood element  10  extend downwards to the neck join  13  of the fire resistant hood element  10  where they attach to the panels comprising the shoulder portion  14  of the fire resistant hood element  10 . The neck join  13  is narrower than the head portion  12 . The shoulder portion  14  extends from the neck join  3  and flares outwards at a consistent angle from the neck join  13 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the shoulder portion  14  of the fire resistant hood element  10  extends out at least six inches from the neck join  13  to cover the firefighter&#39;s shoulders and a portion of the firefighter&#39;s back and chest. The shoulder potion  14  of the fire resistant hood element  10  is comprised of four panels of Nomex® brand or other fire resistant material stitched together using Nomex® brand or other fire resistant thread. 
         [0040]    The panels of the head portion  12  of the hood element vary in size and are arranged in such a manner as to form the shape of the head portion  12  as described above. Two equal sized side panels  22  and  23  are placed on either side of the face opening and extend upward vertically where they join the top center panel  24  and the anterior top panel  25  and downward to the neck join  13  where they join the shoulder panels  26  and  27 . The top of the head portion  12  of the fire resistant hood element  10  is comprised of two panels  24  and  25 . One top center  24  panel covers the majority of the top center of the head portion  12  of the fire resistant hood element  10 , extending horizontally from the rear of the hood element toward the face opening  19  where it joins the anterior top panel  25  which extends downward to the face opening  19 . The back section of the head portion  12  of the fire resistant hood element  10  is comprised of two equally sized back panels, the left back head panel  42  and the right back head panel  43 . Each back head panel  42  and  43  joins a side panel  22  and  23  vertically along one edge, the top center panel  24  horizontally along the top edge, the shoulder portion  14  of the fire resistant hood element  10  horizontally along the bottom edge at the neck join  13 , and the other back panel, vertically along one edge. 
         [0041]    The shoulder portion  14  of the fire resistant hood element  10  is comprised of integral and continuous panels which extend from the neck join  13  where they are joined with the head portion  12 . The shoulder panels are arranged about the fire resistant hood element  10  extending from the neck join  13 . The two side shoulder panels  26  and  27  extend from where they are joined to the two side head panels  22  and  23  at the neck join  13 . The fabric comprising the side shoulder panels  26  and  27  flares as it extends downward to accommodate the shoulders of the firefighter. The two back shoulder panels  44  and  45  of the shoulder portion  14  are of a similar in size and dimension to the two back head panels  42  and  43  of the head portion  12 . The two back shoulder panels  44  and  45  extend downward from where they are attached to the two back head panels  42  and  43  of the head portion  12  at the neck join  13  of the fire resistant hood element  10 . Each back shoulder panel  44  and  45  joins a back head panel  42  and  43  horizontally at the top, a side shoulder panel  26  and  27  vertically on one side and the other back shoulder panel vertically on the other side. The bottom of each back shoulder panel  44  and  45  is hemmed and not joined with anything. The two side shoulder panels  26  and  27  join each other under the face opening  19  of the head portion  12  of the fire resistant hood element  10  to the center along the firefighter&#39;s sternum. 
         [0042]    The hood fastener  21  is attached on the interior to the two side panels of the head portion  22  and  23  and the anterior top panel  25  using Nomex® brand or other fire resistant thread. The hood fastener  21  of the fire resistant hood element  10  is attached in an inward facing direction to facilitate interface with the mask fastener  29  of the mask element  11 . In a preferred embodiment, both the hood fastener  21  and the mask fastener  29  are made from hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro® brand. In another preferred embodiment, both the hood fastener  21  and the mask fastener  29  are made from male and female snaps which are aligned to receive each other. 
         [0043]      FIG. 5  shows a rear view of the hood element. The figure shows the fire resistant hood element  10  comprising a head portion  12  and a shoulder portion  14  extending below the head portion  12  from the neck join  13 . Also visible in the rear view of the hood element is the interior fire resistant lining  41 . 
         [0044]    The panels of the head portion  12  of the hood element vary in size and are arranged in such a manner as to form the shape of the head portion  12  as described above. Two equal sized side panels  22  and  23  are placed on either side of the face opening and extend upward vertically where they join the top center panel  24  and the anterior top panel  25  and downward to the neck join  13  where they join the shoulder panels  26  and  27 . The top of the head portion  12  of the fire resistant hood element  10  is comprised of two panels  24  and  25 . One top center  24  panel covers the majority of the top center of the head portion  12  of the fire resistant hood element  10 , extending horizontally from the rear of the hood element toward the face opening  19  where it joins the anterior top panel  25  which extends downward to the face opening  19 . The back section of the head portion  12  of the fire resistant hood element  10  is comprised of two equally sized back panels, the left back head panel  42  and the right back head panel  43 . Each back head panel  42  and  43  joins a side panel  22  and  23  vertically along one edge, the top center panel  24  horizontally along the top edge, the shoulder portion  14  of the fire resistant hood element  10  horizontally along the bottom edge at the neck join  13 , and the other back panel, vertically along one edge. 
         [0045]    The shoulder portion  14  of the fire resistant hood element  10  is comprised of integral and continuous panels which extend from the neck join  13  where they are joined with the head portion  12 . The shoulder panels are arranged about the fire resistant hood element  10  extending from the neck join  13 . The two side shoulder panels  26  and  27  extend from where they are joined to the two side head panels  22  and  23  at the neck join  13 . The fabric comprising the side shoulder panels  26  and  27  flares as it extends downward to accommodate the shoulders of the firefighters The two back shoulder panels  44  and  45  of the shoulder portion  14  are of a similar in size and dimension to the two back head panels  42  and  43  of the head portion  12 . The two back shoulder panels  44  and  45  extend downward from where they are attached to the two back head panels  42  and  43  of the head portion  12  at the neck join  13  of the fire resistant hood element  10 . Each back shoulder panel  44  and  45  joins a back head panel  42  and  43  horizontally at the top, a side shoulder panel  26  and  27  vertically on one side and the other back shoulder panel vertically on the other side. The bottom of each back shoulder panel  44  and  45  is hemmed and not joined with anything. The two side shoulder panels  26  and  27  join each other under the face opening  19  of the head portion  12  of the fire resistant hood element  10  to the center along the firefighter&#39;s sternum. 
         [0046]      FIG. 6  shows an alternate embodiment of the conventional mask element  11  of the invention in detail. The mask element  11  comprises a transparent face portion  15 , two voice transmitters  16  and  17  on opposite sides of the mask element  11 , and an SCBA opening  18  for insertion of a SCBA regulator. The conventional mask element  11  comprises new snap mask fasteners  46  which replace the forehead screws and chin bracket screws disclosed above in  FIG. 2 . The snap mask fasteners  46  can be either male or female depending on the receiving snap type. The snap mask fasters  46  are arranged about the mask element  11  in an evenly spaced manner. In the preferred embodiment, the edge of the mask element  11  contains twelve snap mask fasteners  46 . The new snap mask fasteners  46  for the mask element  11  interface with mating snap hood fasteners  47  on the interior of the fire resistant hood element  10  at the mask/hood interface  20 . 
         [0047]    The mask element  11  also encompasses a conventional mesh head harness which is not pictured and a head strap  30 . The transparent face portion  15  of the mask element  11  is constructed from conventional heat resistant plastic material to maximize both fire resistance and visibility. The head strap  30  is made adjustable by threading the head strap  30  through metal clips  31  and  32  which are affixed to both ends of the head strap  30 . The metal clips  31  and  32  are affixed so that the clips can slide along the head strap  30  allowing the head strap&#39;s  30  length to be adjusted in a range from a full extension to fifty-percent therof. The head strap  30  is attached to the edge of the face mask  37  using metal brackets  33  and  34  which are screwed into the face mask with metal screws which are adapted to act as mask fasteners or are affixed with mask fasteners  46 . The edge portion  37  of the mask is designed to create a seal with the firefighter&#39;s face to prevent smoke from reaching the firefighter&#39;s nose and mouth. The edge portion  37  of the face mask is shaped to fit around the firefighter&#39;s face. Accordingly, the edge portion  37  is larger at the top forehead portion of the mask element  11  and narrows toward the bottom chin portion of the mask element. The edge portion of the mask  37  is overlapped by the transparent face portion of the mask  15  on the edges of the transparent face portion  15 . A regulator and a conventional oxygen tank may be attached to the mask element  11  at SCBA opening  18  for extending breathing during exposure to smoke and other lung damaging conditions. 
         [0048]    The head strap  30  is attached to the mask element  11  at the chin area of the mask element  11  using plastic and metal fasteners which are adapted to which are permanently affixed through the lower chin portion of the mask element  11 . The mesh head harness, which is not pictured, is attached to the mask element  11  using plastic and metal screws which are permanently affixed through the upper forehead portion of the mask element  11  and are adapted to contain or are affixed with snap mask fasteners  46 . These screws also serve to attach the face mask edge  37  with the transparent face portion  15  of the mask element  11 . The voice transmitters  16  and  17  are located on opposite sides of the SCBA opening  18  and are utilized to allow a firefighter to communicate through their mask. 
         [0049]      FIG. 7  shows an inside-out view of an alternate embodiment of the fire resistant hood element  10 . This figure shows the interior of the fire resistant hood element  10  comprising a head portion  12  and a shoulder portion  14  extending below the head portion  12  from the neck join  13 . The head portion  12  of the fire resistant hood element  10  contains a face opening  19  to accommodate the mask element  11  shown in  FIGS. 6 . The inside-out view of the fire resistant hood element  10  as shown in  FIG. 7  demonstrates the snap hood fasteners  47 . The snap hood fasteners  47  interface with the snap mask fasteners  46  to removably attach the fire resistant hood element  10  with the mask element  11  and seal and secure the mask with the hood. In the preferred embodiment, the fire resistant hood element  10  should contain an equal number of snap hood fasteners  47  as the mask contains snap mask fasteners  26  in corresponding locations. The snap hood fasteners  47  may be either male or female so long as they are adapted for receiving the snap mask fasteners  46 . In the preferred embodiment, the fire resistant hood element  10  contains twelve snap hood fasteners which are arranged evenly about the face opening  19  of the fire resistant hood element  10  in locations which correspond to the snap mask fasteners  46  arranged about the mask element  11 . In the preferred embodiment, the interior of the hood element is lined with a lining of Nomex® brand or other fire resistant fabric  41 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 8  shows an alternate embodiment of the invention generally including both the fire resistant hood element  10  and the mask element  11 . The fire resistant hood element  10  is comprised of multiple layers of Nomex® brand or other fire resistant fabric and is generally comprised of an integral head portion  12  and shoulder portion  48  attached to the head portion  12  at the neck join  13 . The head portion  12  is shaped to accommodate the head and neck of the firefighters In the alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , the shoulder portion  48  is designed to extend only one to five inches below the neck join  13  over only a portion of the firefighter&#39;s shoulders, chest and back. The head portion  12  and shoulder portion  48  are attached at the neck join  13 . The integral shoulder portion  48  provides enough coverage to lay outside and on top of the firefighter&#39;s coat at the firefighter&#39;s option. It also can be tucked inside the coat. The mask element  11  is a standard firefighters mask or breathing device adapted to be removably securable and sealable to the fire resistant hood element  10 . 
         [0051]    The standard mask element  11  is comprised of a transparent face portion  15 , two voice transmitters on either side of the mask  16  and  17 , and an opening for insertion of a SCBA regulator  18 . The head portion  12  of the fire resistant hood element  10  includes a face opening  19  to accommodate the mask element  11 . 
         [0052]    The conventional mask element  11  and new fire resistant hood element  10  are secured at the mask/hood interface  20  with fastener elements, the hood fastener  21  and the mask fastener  29 . In one preferred embodiment, both fasteners  21  and  29  are Velcro® brand hook and loop fasteners. In another preferred embodiment, both fasteners  21  and  29  are snap fasteners. 
         [0053]    In the preferred embodiment, the head portion  12  is comprised of integral panels of Nomex® brand or other fire resistant material stitched together using Nomex® brand or other fire resistant thread. The multiple layers of fire resistant material will resist high temperatures for a limited amount of time and protect the fire fighter from heat and burning. The panels comprising the head portion  12  of the fire resistant hood element  10  extend downwards to the neck join  13  of the fire resistant hood element  10  where they attach to the panels comprising the shoulder portion  48  of the fire resistant hood element  10 . The shoulder portion  48  extends from the head portion  12  at the neck join  13  and flares outwards at a consistent angle from the neck join  13 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the shoulder portion  48  of the fire resistant hood element  10  extends out one to five inches from the neck join  13  to cover a portion of the firefighter&#39;s shoulders, back and chest. The shoulder portion  48  of the fire resistant hood element  10  is comprised of panels of Nomex® brand or other fire resistant material stitched together using Nomex® brand or other fire resistant thread. 
         [0054]    The panels comprising the head portion  12  of the hood element vary in size and are arranged in such a manner as to form the shape of the head portion  12  as described above. Two equal sized side panels  22  and  23  are placed on either side of the face opening and extend upward vertically where they join the top center panel  24  and the anterior top panel  25  and downward to the neck join  13  where they join the shoulder panels  26  and  27 . The shoulder panels  26  and  27  and back panels form a continuous wrap around the shoulders, back and front of the firefighter so that there are no gaps that would allow exposure of the firefighter&#39;s head. 
         [0055]    The top of the head portion  12  of the fire resistant hood element  10  is comprised of two panels  24  and  25 . One top center  24  panel covers the majority of the top center of the head portion  12  of the fire resistant hood element  10 , extending horizontally from the rear of the hood element toward the face opening  19  where it joins the anterior top panel  25  which extends downward to the face opening  19 . The back section of the head portion  12  of the fire resistant hood element  10  is comprised of two equally sized back panels, the left back head panel  42  and the right back head panel  43 . The left back head panel  42  joins the right side panel  22  of the head portion  12  vertically along the left edge, the top center panel  24  horizontally along the top edge of the left back head panel  42 , the left shoulder back panel  44  of the shoulder portion  14  of the fire resistant hood element  10  horizontally along the bottom edge of the left back head panel  42  at the neck join  13 , and the right back head panel  43  vertically along the right edge of the left back head panel  42 . The right back head panel  43  joins the left side panel  23  of the head portion  12  vertically along the right edge, the top center panel  24  horizontally along the top edge of the right back head panel  43 , the right shoulder back panel  45  of the shoulder portion  48  of the fire resistant hood element  10  horizontally along the bottom edge of the left back head panel  42  at the neck join  13 , and the left back head panel  42  vertically along the left edge of the right back head panel  43 . 
         [0056]    The shoulder portion  48  of the fire resistant hood element  10  is comprised of continuous panels with no gaps which extend from the neck join  13  where they are joined with the head portion  12 . The shoulder panels are arranged about the fire resistant hood element  10  extending from the neck join  13 . 
         [0057]    The hood fastener  21  is attached on the interior to the two side panels of the head portion  22  and  23 , and the anterior top panel  25  using Nomex® brand or other fire resistant thread. The hood fastener  21  of the fire resistant hood element  10  is attached in an inward facing direction to facilitate interface with the mask fastener  29  of the mask element  11 . In one preferred embodiment, both the hood fastener  21  and the mask fastener  29  are hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro® brand. In the alternate preferred embodiment, the hood fastener  21  and the mask fastener  29  comprise snap fasteners. 
         [0058]    Before concluding, it is to be understood that the terminology employed in this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments. Unless the context clearly demonstrates otherwise, it is not intended to be limiting. In this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Conversely, it is contemplated that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element or be further limited using exclusive terminology as “solely.” “only” and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements or by use of a “negative” limitation. It is also contemplated that any optional feature of the inventive variations described herein may be set forth and claimed independently, or in combination with anyone or more of the features described herein. 
         [0059]    Although the foregoing specific details describe various embodiments of the invention, persons reasonably skilled in the art will recognize that various changes may be made in the details of the apparatus of this invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Therefore, it should be understood that, unless otherwise specified, this invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and described herein.