<![CDATA[This study aims to identify the primary causes of damage to aluminium suits used by Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) personnel at Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport in Palembang. Aluminium suits serve as essential personal protective equipment designed to safeguard personnel from extreme radiant heat exposure during aircraft fire emergencies. This research employs a descriptive qualitative approach through direct observation of the aluminium suit’s physical condition, interviews with ARFF operational staff, and technical documentation review. NFPA 1851 was used as the primary international standard for assessing maintenance and storage practices. The findings indicate that peeling and degradation of the suit’s protective layer result from several factors, including use beyond the recommended 10-year service life, improper storage methods such as folding and stacking in exposed areas, and cleaning procedures that involve nonstandard detergents and unregulated water temperatures. The lack of proper documentation and routine inspections further contributes to the accelerated material breakdown. The study recommends implementing a comprehensive maintenance management system aligned with international standards, involving scheduled replacements, vertical storage in UV-free ventilated rooms, complete documentation of usage history, and technical training for personnel. Effective implementation of this system is critical to ensure personnel safety, prolong PPE durability, and enhance the operational readiness of ARFF units in handling diverse aviation emergencies reliably and consistently.]]>
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