Extending The Life Of Turnout Gear For Firefighter Health And Safety

The longevity of the turnout gear and its effectiveness against carcinogens relies heavily on one factor: proper maintenance.

Firefighters handle dangerous materials regularly and the turnout gear can pick up several highly toxic contaminants.

Keeping up with maintenance on the turnout gear can help users in three ways:

• Reduce the risk of being exposed (or exposing someone else) to carcinogens.
• Save the department money.
• Extend the usable life of the garments.

Negative effects 

The 'salty' image is no longer recognized as a badge of honor, it’s a serious health risk. Accumulated soot or substances on turnout gear can have some negative effects on the gear’s ability to keep the user protected such as:

• Reducing its ability to reflect water.
• Fabrics can be more susceptible to tears or punctures.
• Decrease the ability to reflect radiant heat.
• Reflective trim can become less visible.
• Oils, grease, and hydrocarbon deposits (AKA what is refered to as 'the yuck') from smoke can cause PPE to ignite.
• PPE contaminated with 'the yuck' is more likely to conduct electricity.

Maintenance tips

Users should be convinced of the importance of extending the life of the turnout gear.

Follow these maintenance tips to help users do so:

• Regularly check for damages

Gear Wash recommends that the user send the turnout gear to a UL Verified ISP of PPE

Before and after wearing the gear, check for wear and tear! If the user sees something say something, as soon as possible. Users want to keep up on minor repairs before they become irreparable.

Gear Wash recommends that the user send the turnout gear to a UL Verified Independent Service Provider (ISP) of PPE. An ISP is a company that specializes in cleaning, inspecting, and repairing firefighting PPE.

It’s important to regularly send the gear to an ISP, as it’s much more cost-effective to repair turnout gear than replace it. Even minor damage such as a lost button, or torn strap is worth fixing.

• Keep the turnout gear clean

Follow the manufacturer's recommendations, and regularly clean the gear. Don't treat the gear like other clothing. Laundering the turnout gear through Gear Wash guarantees the removal of harmful particulates and residue.

The advanced fabric of the gear will be protected and reduce secondary exposure to toxins and carcinogens.

• Turnout Gear Wash

The cleaning facility at Gear Wash uses Turnout Gear Wash, a laundry detergent formulated for the safe cleaning of turnout fabrics, reflective materials, and hardware used with PPE. After entering a structural fire, the user will need to decontaminate and wash the turnout gear immediately.

Soaking the materials in the EPA-registered laundry sanitizer, Shurgaurd Ultimate keeps the PPE effective against a wide range of viruses and bacteria. Helmets, boots, gloves, and hoods must be inspected and cleaned to ensure maximum use.

• Do not expose turnout gear to light 

Prolonged exposure to UV rays and fluorescent lighting can damage the turnout gear. Keeping the gear tucked away from harsh lighting will help protect it. Try storing the turnout gear in a locker or on a rack, away from direct light.

Also, allocating proper storage for the PPE makes inspections easier. This can even reduce the possibility of lost gear by making sure it's returned to the correct spot each day.

When to replace turnout gear

Having a strong layer of protection is necessary for the job of a firefighter

Eventually, the turnout gear will need to be replaced. Once the protective properties of the turnout gear have diminished, it is no longer safe to use.

Having a strong layer of protection is necessary for the job of a firefighter.

New turnout gear

Implementing a rotation of when to buy new turnout gear will allow everyone to have a primary and secondary set.

It's important to replace the turnout gear:

• NFPA 1971 recommends turnout gear be retired after 10 years.
• When cleaning no longer restores it after being soiled.
• When it is beyond regular repair.
• When the workplace requirements have changed and the gear is no longer in use.