Cleaning Gear

[rberliew1]

Question for members of industrial ERT. How often do you have your firefighter gear cleaned? What is the average cost per set to have it cleaned?
I'd appreciate any assistance,
Thanks,
Bobby

[ladderman195]

it depends on your use of the gear and how often it is used.

if it is fortunately used mostly if not solely for training due to the incredible safety record your company has it can be cleaned by your staff at a local laudrymat EXTRACTOR washer, NOT AGITATOR (one with the center post). It can be cleaned with any liquid detergent with out bleech or other similar additives. there are products made by winsol www.winsol.com for turnout gear cleaning.

it can be cleaned as much as you feel it needs cleaned. it MUST NOT, under no circumstance be placed in a dryer.

if you are looking to avoid placing the resposibility on your staff you can send it to any of these fine organizations for cleaning. they follow the cleaning and repair guidelines set forth by NFPA (mostly record keeping). The cleaning average is 30 - 40 per item (coat or pant is an item). This does not include repair.

check out

http://www.marylandfire.com

http://www.solutionssafety.com/


Good Luck & Stay Safe !

[SWLAFireDawg]

Ours get cleaned by a third party company after any live fire training exercises, working fire response, Haz-Mat response, or medical response in which the gear was worn for protection from bloodborne pathogens.

We use a third party cleaner because they track and number every piece of gear......we need that due to Haz-Mat responses, and disposal of gear after its service life.

I can't remember the name of the company, but I can get it if you need it.

They will pick it up at the plant, or from the fire school we are attending.....sure spoils you.....I have to do my own with the volly dept I am on.

[kadempc]

To my knowledge, we don't have a set standard/policy on when it gets cleaned. We do have capabilities to wash our own. But this is a valid point. My guess is some industries would have to wash theirs more frequent than others. I will be exlploring the idea shortly, to see what our policy should be.

SWLAFireDawg-
I would like the name of the company that takes care of your gear, if you don't mind.

[SWLAFireDawg]

I have to work tomorrow, so I'll ask the Emergency Response Specialist for the name and contact info.

[Flochief]

We have our own washer and dryer. However as been said let the gear air dry. We leave it up to the individuals who the gear is assigned to for cleaning. Do not let your local laundry clean your gear unless you inform them of the hazards that the gear has been exposed to.

Above all follow the manufactors recommendations.

[SWLAFireDawg]

Delta Industrial Services (Cleaners)

Office: 409.724.1055

They are based out of Beaumont, TX.

[THEFIRENUT]

According to NFPA 1851:

Routine cleaning- after every use. (at least brushing off).

Advanced cleaning- at least every 6 months whether used or not. (actually washing them).

[dmleblanc]

We have ours cleaned by an outside contractor after every training class (twice a year) and after any actual fires as needed (seldom, as alluded to by Ladderman195). We use a company called BGS (Bunker Gear Specialists) who are local and are also our bunker gear supplier. I'm not sure what they charge.

[doughesson]

When building the new station,my volunteer department also specced an extractor washer and dryer.Soon after,we started this debate and most folks will clean their gear every third call or more often as needed.We didn't get many hazmat calls but we have the capability now at least.
The room it's in also serves as the decontamination room.The original plans only had one entrance which jogged my mempry from decon training in the Navy where you went into the cleaning cycle through one entrance and had a separate exit once you'd been deemed clean and fit for human companionship again.I pointed that out and the plans got changed.
You now enter from the apparatus bay disrobe,decontaminate and exit into the hallway where the personal lockers are for you to keep extra clothes in case the call goes long, hot,sweaty and /or bloody.

[SWLAFireDawg]

Good point on the decontamination issue. Our small volunteer department does not have a "gear area"......and most of us keep our gear at our house or in our vehicle in one form or another.

Personally, I carry large trash bags with me, and if the gear is contaminated it goes in the bag till I can clean it.

I have been fortunate enough to acquire 3 sets of gear from different sources, so I alwas have a clean set.

[firespec35]

Once per year by us. We only have 1 set of gear so we are OOS till it dries

[bobsnyder]

When building the new station,my volunteer department also specced an extractor washer and dryer. Soon after,we started this debate and most folks will clean their gear every third call or more often as needed.We didn't get many hazmat calls but we have the capability now at least.

We also have an extractor washer in station, an air-only rack dryer (old hose dryer with the heat removed) and encourage frequent cleaning of turnout gear...so much so that we make it a priority to set members up with two sets of gear so there's no excuse for failing to clean it to avoid being OOS.

I usually try to rotate my sets of turnout gear seasonally (both washing and whether they're at station, in my truck or at home), and I wash a set after any incident where it gets even moderately dirty. Why not wash it, if you can??

[herbroberson]

People in industry may not be bound by NFPA standards, but 1851 mirrors the OSHA CFR almost verbatem. Same schedule as stated by Firenut. Most industrial brigades we work with around our area are usually better bunkered than we are (municiple department). But we are provided a second set. :)

[doughesson]

We also have an extractor washer in station, an air-only rack dryer (old hose dryer with the heat removed) and encourage frequent cleaning of turnout gear...
.....Why not wash it, if you can??

I agree.Having an extractor or jury rigged hose dryer sure beats having your buddy turn the garden hose on you as you twirl in circles.And we all know the guy on the department that can pull the piroettes(sp)off better than anyone.
:D

[clifton36]

Referring you to NFPA and the CFR are good ideas, but more importantly you should follow the guidelines set by the gear manufacturer. You can bet that all applicable rules and standards have been factored in to their laundering recommendations.