Does your organization have questions about NFPA 1851?  We receive many calls to our shop asking “What does NFPA 1851 say?”  We welcome these calls, as everything that we do is directed by the NFPA 1851 document, so we know what NFPA 1851 says.

We posted a NFPA 1851 summary on our blog some time ago, and it may be of use to anybody looking for information on NFPA 1851.

A few things about NFPA 1851 and fire bunker gear cleaning:

• NFPA 1851 does not “certify” an organization to clean fire gear, any claims of being “NFPA 1851 Certified” are false.
• NFPA 1851 spells out several “levels” of cleaning.  These levels of cleaning are “routine” “advanced” and “Specialized.”
• NFPA 1851 sets a minimum set of records that must be maintained on every set of firefighting gear including any dates and reasons for fire gear advanced cleanings.
• NFPA 1851 states that soiled or contaminated elements shall not be brought into the home, washed in home laundries, or washed in public laundries unless the public laundry has a dedicated business to handle fire fighting protective clothing.
• NFPA 1851 states that every six months, at a minimum, elements that have been issued, used, and are soiled, shall receive advanced cleaning.
• NFPA 1851 says that heavy scrubbing or high velocity power washers shall not be used.
• NFPA states that cleaning or decontamination solution shall not be greater than pH 10.5

These are just a few points from the NFPA 1851 document.  Again, you may find the summary of NFPA 1851 useful.  In our next post, we will talk about NFPA 1851 and fire bunker gear repair.  If you have any questions about NFPA 1851, and you would like to speak to us, we welcome your phone call.

Call Shamrock Gear at 330-313-1220 and we will help you decipher the NFPA 1851 document.

The following statements are TRUE:

1- Shamrock Gear & Repair is located is Stark County, Ohio.

2- In the Northeast corner of Ohio, there are over 400 fire departments.

3- In Northeast Ohio, there is only 1 Fire Gear Care & Repair Facility.

4- Shamrock Gear can and will pick up, clean, inspect, repair, and return your fire gear in a timely fashion.  This ensures your gear is compliant to NFPA 1851 and safe for your firefighters. 

5- Shamrock Gear can come to your department and perform Advanced Inspections while keeping your gear in service.

6- Shamrock Gear helps your department get the full life of your gear and saves you money for replacement.

7- You can’t afford not to call our office and find a Maintenance Program  that fits you department.

8- You will not regret your call!!

We are proud to present to our customers in Ohio and surrounding states, the opportunity to supply them with the PPE cleaner used by SGR. CitroSqueeze® PPE Cleaner from Solutions Safety Services.  Fire departments all over the world are working hard to comply with NFPA 1851.  Help yourself and make it easy by using a PPE cleaner that meets the NFPA 1851 recommendations.  CitroSqueeze® PPE Cleaner is tested and proven safe by Dupont for cleaning Nomex®, Southern Mills for cleaning P.B.I.® and Kevlar® fabrics, W.L. Gore & Assocs. (Germany) for cleaning Gore-tex®, 3M Products for cleaning specific Scotchlite® Retroreflective Firecoat Trims #8486/7, 9825, 8930, 8935, 8986/7, 9910, & 9486/7, and Safety Components International, Inc. & CIBA Speciality Chemicals for cleaning Isodri™ System (outer shell fabric). Help maintain the protective properties of your firefighter ensemble and care for it with Shamrock Gear and CitroSqueeze®.

Contact our office for prices and order information.

In the recent months, we have received many inquiries from fire departments about turnout gear maintenance.  It has been great to hear that so many are really focusing on the safety of their firefighters.  One question we have heard repeatedly from both new and old customers is “Where are you located?”.  Yes, we have moved and yes our new facility helps us to maintain the growing needs of our customers. 

Shamrock Gear & Repair LLC has moved to 9522 Main Ave. SE in East Sparta.  The 2 story 3000 square foot building allows us to keep “dirty gear” completely separate from “clean gear”.    ”The Flow” of our specialized cleaning and repair process has been a great fit in this building, and has made Shamrock Gear the most efficient ISP in Ohio. 

Please feel free to stop by and take a brief tour of YOUR Fire Firefighter Ensemble Maintenance Facility.  We are here to keep you safe!

Shipping Address:

Safety for Firefighters, by Firefighters.

OVERVIEW OF NFPA 1851-2008

NFPA 1851- 2008 Standard on Selection Care and Maintenance of Structural Fire Fighting Ensembles and Proximity Fire Fighting

· Became a document effective February 2001. Revised in 2007 with the newest edition taking effect January 1, 2008.

· Developed to be a companion document to NFPA 1971, Standard on Protective Ensemble for Structural Firefighting.

· NFPA 1851 is also applicable to all previous revisions of NFPA 1971, 1972, 1973, and 1974.

· The goal of NFPA 1851 is to reduce the safety and health risks associated with the inappropriate selection and use of fire gear and fire gear elements as well as, the use of poorly or non-maintained turnout gear and turnout gear elements.

· To accomplish this goal, NFPA 1851 provides criteria for the development, and implementation of a Program for the selection, care, maintenance, retirement and related issues affecting protective ensembles and  fire gear elements.

· The NFPA 1851 Program consists of Standard Operating Procedures detailing the following:

· Selection Process
· Inspection of fire gear
· Cleaning of fire gear
· Repair of fire gear
· Issuing and Storage of turnout gear
· Record Keeping
· Retirement and Disposition of turnout gear
· Procedures for Events Involving Injury or Death to a Firefighter

NFPA 1851 is considered a user standard rather than a manufacturing standard and therefore becomes the responsibility of the authority having jurisdiction rather than the fire gear manufacturer.

Feel free to cal us with any questions you may have about NFPA 1851 and how your department can become compliant with this standard.

SHAMROCK GEAR & REPAIR LLC
330-313-1220

Shamrock Gear & Repair LLC specialty services help to save your budget.

Let Shamrock Gear & Repair LLC help you save time and money. Shamrock Gear & Repair offers On-Site Advanced Inspections and Ensemble Maintenance Programs.

On- Site Inspection of all three layers of the fire gear elements by certified personnel include:

Hydrostatic testing of the Moisture Barrier
Visual and light test of the Thermal Liner
Outer shell inspection and test of fabric and hardware integrity and safety properties
Tracking of each individual element
Estimates for repairs, if needed
Fire Department maintains NFPA 1851 Compliance

Maintenance Programs are tailored to fit your department’s needs and budget and can include:

Annual Cleaning & Advanced Inspection of fire gear
Repairs to fire gear when needed or necessary
Tracking of all turnout gear elements
Fire Department maintains NFPA 1851 Compliance

Call today for more information, a quote, or to schedule your On- Site Inspections.

330-313-1220
http://www.SHAMROCKGEAR.ORG

One of the most frequent questions we receive is “What does NFPA 1851 say?”  We are posting this NFPA 1851 summary to help you know what is contained in NFPA 1851 and how it affects fire gear cleaning, inspection, and repair.

The following is a summary of NFPA 1851, the standard on firefighter turnout gear ( PPE, bunker gear, fire gear ) selection, cleaning, inspection, repair, and record keeping. The NFPA calls it “NFPA 1851: Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting.”

NFPA 1851 standard was developed to reduce the safety risks and potential health hazards related to turnout gear care, maintenance and repair. Its intent, first and foremost is to protect firefighters, their families, and the general public – anyone they might come in contact with may be contaminated. A subordinate or ancillary development to these standards is their bearing on liability issues at the administrative level as well workman’s compensation cases pertaining to the implementation and practice.

The following is a series of excerpts or “highlights” of the NFPA 1851 Standard. This document defines explicit guidelines concerning standard operating procedure, and roles and responsibilities of record keeping, inspection, cleaning, decontamination, and repair of fire protection ensembles (turnout gear). You may obtain a complete copy of NFPA 1851 by contacting the National Fire Protection Association at www.NFPA.org

Administration

1.2 Purpose.

1.2.1 The purpose of this standard shall be to establish a program for structural fire fighting protective ensembles and ensemble elements to reduce the safety risks and potential health risks associated with poorly maintained, contaminated, or damaged structural fire fighting protective ensembles and ensemble elements.

1.3 Definitions.

1.3.9.1 Cleaning, Advanced. The thorough cleaning of ensembles or elements by washing with cleaning agents. Advanced cleaning usually requires elements to be temporarily taken out of service. Examples include hand washing, machine washing, and contract cleaning.

1.3.9.3 Cleaning, Routine. The light cleaning of ensembles or elements performed by the end user without taking the elements out of service. Examples include brushing off dry debris, rinsing off debris with a water hose, and spot cleaning.

1.3.9.4 Cleaning, Specialized. Cleaning to remove hazardous materials or biological agents. This level of cleaning involved specific procedures and specialized cleaning agents and processes.

Program

2.1.1 General.

2.1.2 Program Part for Structural Fire Fighting Protective Ensembles and Ensemble Elements

2.2.1 The organization shall develop written standard operating procedures (SOP) that shall identify and define the various roles and responsibilities of the organization and of the members.

2.3 Records

2.3.1 The organization shall compile and maintain records on their structural fire fighting protective ensembles or ensemble elements.

2.3.2 At least the following records shall be kept for each ensemble element:

Person to whom element is issued
Date and condition when issue
Manufacturer and model name or design
Manufacturer s ID number, lot number, or serial number
Month and year of manufacture
Date(s) of and findings of advanced inspection(s) by organization
Date(s) of advanced cleaning or decontamination by organization
Reason for advanced cleaning or decontamination by organization
Date(s) of repair(s), who performed repair(s), and brief description of any repair(s)
Date of retirement
Date and method of disposal

Inspection

4.1 General.

4.2.1 Each individual member shall conduct a routine inspection of their personal ensemble or ensemble elements after each use.

4.3 Advanced Inspection.

4.3.1 An advanced inspection of all personal ensembles and ensemble elements shall be conducted at a minimum of every 12 months, or whenever routine inspections indicate that a problem may exist The advanced inspections shall be conducted by a members of the organization who have received training in the inspection of structural fire fighting protective clothing and equipment.

Cleaning and Decontamination

5.1 General.

5.1.3 Soiled or contaminated elements shall not be brought into the home, washed in home laundries, or washed in public laundries unless the public laundry has a dedicated business to handle fire fighting protective clothing.

5.1.4 Commercial dry cleaning shall not be used as a means of cleaning or decontaminating ensembles and ensemble elements.

5.1.5 When contract cleaning or decontamination is used, the contract cleaner shall demonstrate, to the organization’s satisfaction, procedures for cleaning and decontamination that do not compromise the performance of ensembles and ensemble elements.

5.2 Routine Cleaning.

5.2.1 After each use any elements that are soiled shall receive routing cleaning.

5.2.4 Should routine cleaning fail to render the element(s) sufficiently clean for service, the element(s) shall receive advanced cleaning.

5.3 Advanced Cleaning.

5.3.1 Every six months, at a minimum, elements that have been issued, used, and are soiled, shall receive advanced cleaning.

5.5.2.1 Chlorine bleach or chlorinated solvents should not be used to clean or decontaminate.

5.5.5.2 Cleaning or decontamination solution shall not be greater than pH 10.5.

5.5.3 Heavy scrubbing or high velocity power washers shall not be used.

5.6 Drying Procedures.

5.6.1 Organization shall consult with the element manufacturer for instruction on drying. In the absence of manufacturers’ instructions, one of the drying procedures provided in this section shall be used.

5.6.2 The following procedures shall be used for air-drying:
(1) Place elements in an area with good ventilation.
(2) Do not dry in direct sunlight.

Repair

6.1 Garment Repair.

6.1.10 Major A seams are critical to the integrity of the garment and restitching of more than 1 continuous inch of a major A seam shall require consulting the manufacturer, or shall be performed by the manufacturer or by a manufacturer recognized repair facility in a manner consistent with the manufacturer’s instructions.

6.1.12 Major B seams in the moisture barrier shall be repaired or altered only by the manufacturer or by a manufacturer recognized repair facility and shall not be repaired in the field.

6.1.14 Minor seams in the moisture barrier shall be repaired or altered only by the manufacturer or by a manufacturer recognized repair facility and shall not be repaired in the field.

6.1.15 All repaired stress areas shall be reinforced in a manner consistent with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Appendix A

A.5.1.1
The importance of maintaining the cleanliness of ensembles and ensemble elements should not be underestimated. Soiled or contaminated ensembles and ensemble elements are a hazard to fire fighters since oils and contaminates can be flammable, toxic, or carcinogenic. Additionally, soiled or contaminated ensembles and ensemble elements can have reduced protective performance.

Health risks of soiled or contaminated ensembles and ensemble elements. Soiled or contaminated ensembles and ensemble elements can expose fire fighters to toxins and carcinogens that enter the body through ingestion, inhalation, or absorption. Repeated small exposures to some contaminants can add up over time and cause health problems.

Although great emphasis is placed on safety to avoid injury or inhalation hazards while working on the fire ground, many of the toxins which lead to health risks are being carried away from the fire scene on personal protective equipment used by the fire fighter.

Toxins that a fire fighter will come into contact with are found in soot, trapped within the fibers of soiled ensembles and ensemble elements or absorbed into the materials themselves. Contact with the soiled ensembles and ensemble elements increase the risk of the contaminants being introduced into the body.

Clothing contaminated with blood or other body fluids presents a potential risk of a communicable disease being transmitted to the person coming into contact with the contaminated clothing system.

Reduced performance hazards of contaminated ensembles and ensemble elements. When clothing or equipment becomes laden with particles and chemicals, other problems are faced in addition to being exposed to toxins, such as the following:

(a) Soiled ensembles and ensemble elements typically reflects less radiant heat. After materials are saturated with hydrocarbons, they will tend to absorb rather than reflect the radiant heat from the surrounding fire.

(b) Ensembles and ensemble elements heavily contaminated with hydrocarbons are more likely to conduct electricity, increasing the danger when entering a building or vehicle where wiring can still be live.

(c) Clothing materials impregnated without grease and hydrocarbon deposits from soot and smoke can ignite and cause severe burns and injuries, even if the materials are normally flame resistant.

The full NFPA 1851 document can be purchased at http://www.NFPA.org

CHECK YOUR MOISTURE BARRIERS

The Moisture Barrier Component in a 3 Layer system is an integral part of keeping the user safe. If not in top shape, this component can fail, allowing water in. This failure can result in injuries such as scalds, steam burns, chemical burns, viral penetration, and even death. Each element in the ensemble is only as strong as it’s weakest part. Water passage through the moisture barrier definitely weakens the whole protective ensemble to the point it should be repaired, condemned, and/or replaced.

How can you tell if your fire gear moisture barrier is meeting the standard?

NFPA 1851 Appendix 4.3.2.1 describes testing the fire gear moisture barrier and how to tell if it passes. The “Puddle Test” or “Cup Test” is recommended for end user field test. A solution of tap water and Isopropyl Alcohol is used and placed on the garment to test the water shedding ability of the turnout gear moisture barrier. This test can be done in multiple areas of the fire gear garment in a short amount of time to ensure it’s protective properties.

At Shamrock, we use a Suter Hydrostatic tester. This equipment pressurizes water against the fire gear moisture barrier to test protective ability. Each testing area is complete in 15-20 seconds.

What happens if the fire gear moisture barrier leaks through?

If a turnout gear moisture barrier leaks through- it is out of service until it can be deemed repairable or condemned and need replaced. This item needs to be evaluated by a Care and Repair Center. All turnout gear moisture barriers are not the same. Different manufacturers use different seam seal tape at different temperatures and times. This does not mean your fire gear can’t be repaired, but don’t take matters into your own hands. Let a trained facility help you make a decision.

NEOPRENE & POLYURETHANE MOISTURE BARRIERS

Neoprene and polyurethane do a good job of keeping water out when they are new. The life span of these two materials in fire gear is very short. Some studies have shown less than 2 years to 100% of these items failing. Be careful. This is not to say you need to replace all of your ensembles, there may be other options. Contact your manufacturer rep or a repair facility.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at 330-313-1220.  Our staff will be happy to answer any questions you have.