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N5A/ N6A Leather Helmets

I have a question about the Cairns leather helmets. It is my understanding that the n5a (New Yorker) is only osha compliant and the n6a (Sam Houston) is the nfpa compliant. Now I have heard some differing opinions such as newer n5a's are compliant and many different things about both helmets. All the New Yorkers I have looked up all seem to have bourkes only, and the Sam Houston's can have bourkes or the snow plow shield or googles or such combination. I own an n5a New Yorker and my New Yorker came brand new from cairns with the snow plow shield. It didn't come with bourkes, has no holes in the brim for bourkes, I did not drill holes to add the shield, it came brand new from the factory with no bourkes and a face shield. I did add a pair of ESS goggles. My question is, because the helmet came with NFPA approved eye protection, does this have any impact on making the helmet NFPA compliant?

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Permalink Reply by Larry Glover on January 21, 2012 at 8:44am

The N5A's can only be OSHA compliant due to the impact cap from my understanding. The Houston has a different impact cap which will make it NFPA only with the faceshield or goggles "ATTACHED FROM THE FACTORY". I have been through this issue of "NFPA" helmets with two different departments. Also know this, if you have a helmet that is OSHA compliant from the factory you cannot add a set of goggles to it to make it "NFPA". The manufacturer has to install the eye protection to make it the high and mighty NFPA version. I hope this helps.

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Permalink Reply by Dan Rice on January 21, 2012 at 10:04am

Larry is correct

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Permalink Reply by Sean Jamieson on January 23, 2012 at 9:59am

Thanks everyone, this has been a big help

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Permalink Reply by Michael Bricault (ret) on February 3, 2012 at 2:03pm

-Just remember, the goggles were never designed or intended to be worn on the helmet at all times. That's the reason for the "quick connection" on the helmet mounting post.

-They can and do melt and burn. They also collect debris that can get in your eyes.

-Goggles are supposed to be carried in your pocket.

-Personally I'm not a fan of the goggles. My leather NY'er is equipped with Bourkes.

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Permalink Reply by Larry Glover on February 4, 2012 at 12:25am

Michael--Tell that to my Chiefs and Officers. I need to find that in writing to show them. Although I work for a great Capt. who wears a NY'er also and doesn't care that my Houston is only OSHA.

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