Shamrock Gear and Repair

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.

CitroSqueeze ® PPE cleaner, the fire gear cleaning solution used by Shamrock Gear and Repair, has become a key part of the Shamrock Gear and Repair business of fire gear cleaning.  As a result of the success of the CitroSqueeze ® product, Shamrock Gear and Repair has added a CitroSqueeze ® page to our website.  You may now buy CitroSqueeze ® from Shamrock Gear and Repair.  For more in depth information on CitroSqueeze ®, please see our CitroSqueeze ® page.  Help your fire department comply with the recommendations in NFPA 1851, use a fire gear cleaning solution that meets those recommendations, use CitroSqueeze ®.

At Shamrock Gear and Repair, we pride ourselves in the fact that many times, when we receive calls asking if we have received fire gear ensembles for repairs, we are able to respond by saying “We cleaned, inspected, made all repairs, and shipped it back already.”  Many times customers are expecting us to receive fire gear for repair a day or two after we have already completed work on the turnouts.  This ability to service gear quickly is one of the reasons that fire departments, oil refineries, and industry continue to contact us for their fire gear cleaning, inspection, and repair.  Your fire turnout gear does your firefighters no good while it sits on a shelf waiting for repair.  Your fire gear does Shamrock Gear no good sitting on a shelf.  For these reasons, we skip the shelf that many repair facilities use.  We see what needs done to your fire gear, and we do it then ship it back to you immediately.

Do you measure your fire gear repair facility’s turnaround time in days, or do you measure it in weeks or months?  Shamrock Gear customers measure turnaround time in days.  We cannot control shipping companies, but we do control our operations.  If you would like to talk to us about our fire gear cleaning, inspection, and repair programs, including our turnaround times, call us at 330-313-1220.

If you find your fire turnout gear contaminated after an incident, call us for direction. Many people do not know exactly what to do if their fire gear is contaminated. Proper handling of the fire turnout gear can prevent damage if your fire gear is contaminated. We are able to remove many contaminates from fire gear without damaging the bunker gear. These contaminates of fire gear can be anything from blood, diesel fuel, oil, tar and paint. If your fire gear is contaminated with any of these, or other contaminates, call us at 330-313-1220.

The Shamrock Gear and Repair LLC 2009 price list is available.  To view the price list go to the following link.

2009 Fire Gear Cleaning, Inspection, and Repair Price List

This price list should cover most items including fire gear cleaning, inspection and repairs.  If there are any items not listed that you need, we will discuss that with you over the phone.  If you have any questions about our prices, please call our office at 330-313-1220.  We are happy to help answer your questions, and if we are in the office, a real person will answer your call.  If we are out of the office, leave a message and we will return your call.

Fire coat after removing Tar & Oil

Fire coat covered in Tar & Oil

Recently we received a set of fire gear that was coated in a thick tar-like, crude oil residue.  It stunk, it was sticky, and it needed serious ensemble cleaning.  With some time, effort, patience, and the right combination of elbow grease and cleaning agents, we were able to get the fire gear elements in shape to return to service. 

Safety for Firefighters, by Firefighters.

Take a look at the pictures.  If you ever have an issue like this or similar with your fire gear- call us we can help!

330-313-1220

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

Here is a short list of items from one of our handouts that we take to trade shows.  This is a short list of do’s and don’ts for the care of fire turnout gear.  This list has been very helpful to many people and departments, so we are publishing it here.

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FIREFIGHTER TURNOUT GEAR

“DO’S & DON’TS”

DO: 

DO- Launder your turnout gear every 6 months, and more if necessary. 

DO- Routinely inspect your fire gear for any signs of damage or wear. 

DO- Fasten all closures prior to laundering, insuring that all hooks are fastened, snaps are closed, and any Hook & Loop is covered.

DO- Machine wash your turnout gear using a front load extractor (if possible) at a water temperature no warmer than 105 Degrees. 

DO- Allow your fire gear to dry in a well ventilated area and out of sunlight. 

DO- Contact your fire gear manufacturer or ISP if you have any question on the integrity of your garment that may compromise the protective properties. 

DON’T

Don’t store your garment where it exposed to Ultra Violet rays.

Don’t use chlorine bleach, hydrogen peroxide, or “OXY” cleaners. 

Don’t use turnout gear that is soiled, torn, damaged, or otherwise compromised.

You hope that this list is helpful to you.  If you have ANY questions about your fire gear, please call us.  We help many people by answering questions that have never used our services.  We are a firefighter owned business, in business to help firefighters.

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