Author: James B. Bartlett

Fire has been used by mankind for thousands of years. Curiously, man has experimented to understand this mystery of burning flames. 

Various groups, from scientific communities to firefighter and fire prevention organizations agree on the fact that fire has different stages. One such organization is the International Fire Service Training Association, established in 1930s. 

Namely:  

1. incipient 

2. growth 

3. fully developed 

4. decay 

Before we share details on each of these stages, let me remind you that fire is a common hazard at home. When uncontrolled, damage to property and sometimes injuries or loss of life has been reported. 

I am a strong advocate of prevention rather than reactive response. That means that education and human behavior that drive human activity are very important.  

Secondly, investing in smoke detectors that alert you in case of fire is a wise decision. Do not say you were not told! 

The awareness of the four stages of fire gives you a chance to make correct judgements and predictions. This is a must have knowledge for firefighters. 

The Four Stages of Fire

The Incipient Stage of Fire

Common knowledge has it that for a fire to start, three things must be present. That is oxygen, fuel and a source of ignition. Once combustion is attained, the heat generated warms the fuel and the process of fire growth is imminent. 

The flames keep reaching higher and in no time, they devour the ceiling. The volume of the fire expands and with more oxygen the fire is ready to grow much faster. 

It is also possible that the fire may go out on its own at this stage. Of course this depends on factors that affect oxygen or the material under fire. 

Characteristics: 

• Fire is small 
• Less smoke hindering visibility and breathing 
• Low temperatures around the fire 

• Enough to trigger the smoke detectors if present 

What you should do 

• Put out the fire using either an extinguisher or a fire blanket (you should be trained to use these items) 
• In case you are not sure what to do or cannot suppress the fire, run for dear life  
• Call for help, for example the fire brigade 

The Growth Stage 

The rising temperature of the objects or fuel together with the enriching oxygen make this stage possible. 

The transition from incipient to growth happens very fast. As a matter of fact, fire doubles in size every 30 seconds if all the 3 elements in a fire triangle are present. 

On the other hand the hot air around the fire expands and hence if the fire was in a room or confined space, pressure will build up. This pressure tends to push the fire beyond its current spot. 

If there are other combustible materials in the path of the fire, they are ignited by the advancing flame.  

This is the shortest stage of the fire. 

Characteristics: 

• The area around the fire has significant temperature increase 
• Smoke is noticeable on top of the fire and visibility and breathing begins to deteriorate. 
• Surfaces start to darken, and change color and windows may break due to high temperatures and pressure. 
• Fire sustains itself 
• Fire spreads to places beyond where it started 

What you should do 

• The environment is risky, and you must evacuate out of the building immediately. If the normal escape route is unsafe, use an emergency evacuation ladder. 
• Call the fire emergency support services in your area 
• Do not go back in the house 
• Follow your fire emergency plan 

The Fully Developed Stage 

In this stage, the total surfaces are on flames. There is significant heat energy contained in the burning material. For instance, temperatures may reach up to 1000 degrees celsius. 

Hot gases and flames exit through the windows, doors and other openings. 

It is possible to have a fully developed fire in one area while in another part an incipient fire. 

A smoke detector should be able to warn you while fire is in the incipient stage. That is the purpose, since conditions become too dangerous after this stage. 

A fire suppression system, for example a sprinkler system would easily put out fire at this early stage too. 

Characteristics: 

• Fire is at its hottest 
• The fire is very intense 

What you should do: 

• Stay away from the fire 

• Even firefighters fight the fire from a safe span 
• Ensure no new combustible material is brought in 

The Decay Stage of Fire

Fire enters this stage by either depleting the available fuel or due to insufficient oxygen. At this stage too, conditions are still dangerous for humans or first responders because of the accumulated heat and potential presence of carbon monoxide. 

There may be reignition if either fuel or oxygen is reintroduced. 

The decay stage is the longest is the longest phase of a fire and may last to weeks depending on the magnitude of the fire. 

What you should do: 

• Ensure no new materials that can ignite are in the vicinity of the decaying fire. 
• Stay away from areas with decaying fire as there are many health hazards including dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide.  

• Do not enter buildings that have decaying fire since the structural integrity may be compromised 
• Keep your pets and animals away 

The stages of a fire are key to assessing the risk a fire posse to both the first responders and those involved. As well, it helps in establishing the best strategy to put out the fire. 

Experts can also be able to predict the behavior of the fire. 

In between the incipient and growth stage, some of the fires may experience what is popularly known as a flashover. 

The flashover is fostered by a significant amount of heat energy release sponsoring a spontaneous ignition of fuel around.  

Notably, due to the excessive heat generated, the fuel may reach ignition temperature at the same time causing a sudden explosion. 

The fire may consume an entire space instantaneously.   

Here are some of the ways a fire could start: 

1. A candle may fall over a wooden table.  

2. An electrical fault or arc may cause the adjacent material to start burning. 

3. The dry leaves in the backyard may start a fire in areas prone to wildfires due to the advancing flame front. 

4. A cigarette may fall over combustible materials thus starting fire 

5. Children playing with fireworks may start fire accidentally 

Final Verdict 

Safety is number one and hence engaging professionals such as your local fire brigade is highly recommended. 

Largely ignored is the periodic maintenance and inspection of your smoke detectors as well as other fire protection systems.  

This equipment is vital in response in case of a fire incidence.  

Fire is as a result of a chemical reaction and the process can be slowed or stopped by using appropriate techniques. 

More Info 

Picture this:

You’ve decided to take your family on a cruise trip, all you want is to have a good time. Everything is going on well until a fire breaks the party!

Everyone is running all over the place, and it is all chaos. You cannot trace the fire extinguishers, and the fire progresses quickly.

Although surrounded by a mass of water, that doesn’t seem to help!

By the time you manage to put it out, the damage caused is beyond repair, and some people are injured. More importantly, the loss of life for example in this California boat is beyond regret.

So, where exactly should you place a fire extinguisher in a boat?

A lot of people are asking, “where is the best place to store a fire extinguisher in a boat?”

But first, let’s get to understand the different types of fire extinguishers.

Get the Right Fire Extinguisher for your Boat!

Fire extinguishers have ratings as either  A, B, C, D, or K depending on the type of fire it can put out. All fires aren’t the same, and it’s paramount to understand what fire extinguisher works where.

Usually, the fire extinguishers have a label on the side of the tank.

Type A Fire Extinguisher

A fire extinguisher classified as type A puts out fires that start from the trash in the boat, wooden beams, or ash.

These fires are easily put out using water and foam or a mixture of the two. Type A fires are the most common in boats.

Type B Fire Extinguisher

Class B fires start from barrels of gasoline, petroleum, paint, and other highly flammable oils and gases. If you’re aboard a vessel burning from oils or gases, don’t make the mistake of using water to extinguish it.

Notably, water has a lower boiling point than most oils and gases. Therefore, if you try putting the fire out using water, it will evaporate, leaving steam, which can accelerate the fire or even burn you.

Class B fires are put out using dry powder, halogen, ammonium phosphate, carbon dioxide, or foam.

Type C Fire Extinguisher

Electric faults cause class C fires. For these fires, you want to make sure that you use a fire extinguisher filled with carbon dioxide or other dry chemicals.

As you put out the fire, make sure not to use water because we all know water is a good electricity conductor.

Class C fires are also very common in boats.

Type D Fire Extinguisher

Class D fires are rare in boats because they mainly start from flammable metals such as titanium and magnesium.

For these types of fires, you want to make sure you use dry chemicals in your fire extinguisher.

Type K Fire Extinguisher

Type K fires start from the kitchen. It’s not uncommon for boats to have small kitchens and which are prone to fire outbreaks.

The fires are triggered by cooking oils, fats, and grease. These fires are notorious for causing explosions that can quickly spread to other areas of the boat.

To put out class K fires, you want to make sure you use dry chemicals, halogen, pressurized carbon dioxide, ammonium phosphate, or foam.

Now that we know the different fire classifications let’s find out where to keep the fire extinguishers for easy access.

Boat Fire Extinguisher Requirements

As a minimum requirement, you need to have a B-1 fire extinguisher in your boat if your boat is smaller than 26 feet. If your boat is bigger than this, you need to have at least 2 B-1 fire extinguishers.

Here is a table summarizing the legal requirement of fire extinguishers in a boat.

If you have a US Coast Guard fire extinguisher system installed within your vessel, then you may not need many fire extinguishers.

Probably you’re wondering who can get the US Coast Guard fire extinguisher system. Here is the checklist.

• Installed fuel tanks
  
• Enclosed cooking areas
  
• Parts of the boat don’t have flotation materials
  
• Presence of engine tanks in the seat areas
  
• Engine compartments that are fully enclosed
  
• Unsealed double bottoms

Best Place to Mount a Fire Extinguisher in a Boat

The best answer to where you should place a fire extinguisher in a boat is, “it depends.” There are several factors to consider, but as a general rule of thumb, the area should be easily accessible in an emergency.

Consider the following:

Where do people spend most of the time?

Depending on where you and the other passengers spend most of their time, the fire extinguishers should be within an arm’s reach.

 Where can a fire start?

Usually, a fire is most likely to break out from areas with flammable gases, the kitchen, or the engine compartment. Now, you want to make sure that you place fire extinguishers close to these areas.

In as much as you ought to place fire extinguishers close to fire-prone areas, you want to make sure they aren’t so close that you cannot safely access them in the event of a fire.

In a Nutshell

It’s always important to be prepared for fire outbreaks, especially in boats, because you need to save yourself before getting professional help.

Boat fires mainly start from the kitchen, engine compartments, and fuel storage. The best place to store fire extinguishers in a boat is in areas where passengers spend the most time and near the areas where a fire is likely to start. 

Smoke signals send an alarming message; that there’s fire around. When this happens during the day, you can smell it and do something.

But when it happens at night, the fire steals oxygen and produces the silent-killing carbon monoxide. Fortunately, technological advancement has led to the production of affordable smoke detectors. 

The detectors are essential fire protection equipment. They’ve saved uncountable lives by providing early fire warning. In spite of this, the secret lies in how well you maintain them.

You’re probably aware of the fundamental smoke detector maintenance practices.

These include replacing the alarms after every ten years and checking the battery’s functionality in every month. However, it is worth noting that both commercial and residential facilities need additional requirements.

In the meantime, statics will help to explain why this is so. Read along!

What Do Statistics Say?

According to statistics, more people die from house fires than all the natural disasters combined. Fifty-three house-fire deaths per every 100 fires homes are reported to occur in homes that didn’t have working smoke alarms.

Out of these fifty-three deaths, 17% occurred in houses that had non-functional smoke alarms. 

Simply put; having a non-functional smoke detector is worse than not having a detector. It gives a false sense of security, and this can be fatal.

So how can you be sure that your smoke detector is working correctly?

Here’s where smoke in a can comes in!

So, what is Canned Smoke?

Smoke in a can is simulated smoke. It is a sprayable aerosol that imitates the properties of real smoke. By design, the canned smoke can activate ionization, beam, and photoelectric smoke detectors just like real smoke.

It is, therefore, the best solution for large facilities and homes where testing the functionality of smoke detectors is required.  

How Safe is the Canned Smoke?

They do not have a notable odor, making them suitable for hospital use. They’re also safe and convenient. The smoke-in-a-can are designed to extend the users’ reach to up to 6-feet. 

They’re widely appreciated because they do not produce staining residue. Be sure that they’ll not discolor or contaminate your ceiling.

Additionally, the spray does not give harmful residues like the class II or class I ozone-depleting chemicals. The smoke in a can comes packed in safe containers. This convenient aerosol packaging eases the testing process. 

When choosing canned smoke for your requirements, it’s always advisable to consider the flammability impact of the spray. 

How to Use

Smoke detectors are often mounted on ceilings. Therefore, it becomes difficult and risky to climb a ladder and test every smoke detector in buildings.

In such cases, you can use poles designed with dispenser heads to spray the canned smoke without climbing. This method offers flexibility and gives on-site convenience.

If you have a reachable ceiling, you can hand-hold the aerosol and spray it on your smoke detector. 

NOTE: Before testing a centrally-monitored smoke detector, be sure to notify the monitoring company prior. 

When to use the Tester?

The recommendable protocol to use the can tester is quarterly inspection (at least four times a year). Before testing, replace the smoke detector’s batteries first.

Inspect the gadget, dust it off, and then test it using the smoke in a can. Areas with a high concentration of airborne particles should carry out the maintenance and testing practices more frequently.  

Who uses the Detector Tester? 

Every building, whether commercial or residential, needs a smoke detector. Better still, every structure should have several smoke alarms installed in key places.

With this in mind, it is obvious that all properties will also need a smoke tester. Large organizations should buy the spray in wholesale to ensure that there’s a backup in the store.

The following facilities and people need the smoke detector testers:  

• Fire Departments
• HVAC electricians, technicians, and plumbers
• Marinas
• Shipping Companies
• Airports
• Distribution Companies
• Manufacturers
• Public Facilities
• Property Management landlords and companies 
• Restaurants

Conclusion

The much work that a detector’s test button can do is to check whether the device has sufficient power. Therefore, this means that battery and other power-source tests aren’t sufficient to guarantee safety in a property.

That is why facilities and homes should consider these aerosol smoke checkers. The smoke in a can is cost-effective and value-worth. It is also simple and fun to use. 

Each career poses certain risks, and firefighting is no different. Most injuries experienced by firefighters are minor, but some are life-threatening and can end the career of a firefighter.

Every year, more than 60,000 firefighters get injured either during training, to, or from the rescue mission. Most injuries occur on the fire ground.

Here are some of the leading causes of firefighter injuries.

#1 Overexertion  

What is the leading cause of firefighter injuries? According to NFPA, out of all the firefighter injuries that occurred in 2019, about 58 percent were due to overexertion.

Undoubtedly, firefighting is a muscle straining career, and minor muscle strains are a common phenomenon.

However, severe strains and spraining of muscles can cause disability or even death.

Overexertion occurs when a firefighter tries to push through obstacles during an emergency rescue mission, especially in buildings.

Pushing and pulling of objects in a building can also lead to overexertion and stress to the muscles.

#2 Explosions

Statistics by the National Fire Protection Association indicates that fire explosions are the other leading cause of firefighter injuries. Usually, when the firefighters are called to task, they aim at rescuing all life and also extinguishing the fire.

The unexpected may happen during a fire fighting mission if an explosion occurs. Explosions can leave the victims with severe burns that may render them completely disabled or worse still lead to death.

In May, a fire happened in downtown Los Angeles and Engine 9 fire truck was involved with the rescue. The one-story building was emitting some smoke and fumes of fire.

As usual, the firefighters went to the rooftop to put out the fire while others embarked on saving the people trapped inside. However, the building exploded in a massive fireball that injured many firefighters and even left the truck in charred pieces.

This example is just one in so many cases that happen every day across the United States.

#3. Falls/slips

Another leading cause of firefighter injuries is falling or slips during operation. A firefighter may be forced to jump out of a building during operation if they realize the fire hazard is beyond their training capabilities.

However, some buildings don’t have traction on the fireground, posing a risk to the firefighters.

Miscommunication between the incident commander and the officer executing an operation may prompt the officer to jump out when they realize incoordination. Such falls may lead to fatal injuries, especially if the chinstrap for the helmet comes out on the way down.

During winter, most buildings accumulate ice on the surfaces. Unfortunately, most buildings don’t have ice melting mechanisms. If the firefighter boots don’t have good traction, they may slip over and fall to the ground.

Firefighters who wear helmets and also fasten the chinstraps often survive falls and may only have minor injuries to treat.

Usually, the fatality of a fall, slip, or jump is dependent on the height of the building, and how well the firefighter puts on their protective gear. Most fire departments in the US and globally ignore safety policies.

#4. Injuries on Transit

Firefighters responding to emergency calls or returning from their missions account for so many fire truck accidents every year.

During these accidents, so many firefighters die while others suffer minor to severe injuries. For instance, in 2006 alone, there were 16,000 fire truck accidents, and the number doesn’t include accidents involving firefighters using their vehicles. Car accidents account for over 5,000 injuries to firefighters every year.

The truth is that most firefighters are notorious for ignoring traffic laws. The drivers over speed and also overlap other vehicles on the road. Having a big truck and a loud siren shouldn’t give a reason for a firefighter to risk their lives and those of other road users.

#5. Weather Related Injuries

Fire accidents can occur at any time of the year, and as is expected, the fire department should respond to emergency calls promptly.

Well, during extreme weather conditions such as heat or cold, the firefighters may endure weather-related injuries. For example, during winter, the firefighters out in the cold may suffer frostbites, and during hot weather, they can become dehydrated.

Fire departments should offer rotational relief to the officers so that they don’t get exposed to harsh weather. Besides, training is also paramount so that the firefighters know what symptoms to observe so that they can ask for help before it’s too late.

You may also be interested to know why bagpipes are played in firefighter funerals. Check on that link.

In a nutshell, firefighters suffer minor to severe injuries each year while some even die during the operation.

The leading causes of injuries are falls, overexertion, explosions, motor-vehicle related injuries, and weather-related injuries.

With proper training, awareness, and strict adherence to safety measures will help reduce the casualties.

Equally important, it is always great to have the right knife for the rescue job as well as appropriate fire safety boots as part of your personal protective equipment (PPE).

A lot has been written on smoke detectors and the safety they generously give you and your family. But is it fair to say that there is less penned down when it comes to smoke detector disposal!

I know you may not need to do this as often, as majority of smoke alarms can last up to ten years! However, if you are part of the thousands that statistics show dispose their old or expired smoke detectors annually, then this article will shine some light to your dilemma.

As others are looking forward to throw their old or expired smoke alarms that have served to their end of life; you may be unlucky that you are disposing them because they have failed prematurely.

On the other hand you may be the proactive individual who is upgrading the technology to tap into the best that is in the market. Yes, you don’t have to wait for ten years to replace your smoke detectors.

New Technology in Smoke Detectors

The market already has smoke detector with voice technology that can talk to you to let you know the hazard and location.

Furthermore, today’s technology has made smoke and fire detection more accurate reducing on false alarms that are annoying.

So there is quite a significant change on this fire detection space, think of how they integrate with other home devices e.g. alexa, z wave devices, smart phone apps and the list continues.

It may sound as if disposing smoke detectors is as simple as removing them and dumping them in that trash bin. But hold on, you need to think through by considering the following.

The regulations may differ from state to state and it is important you keep touch with your local fire department. Generally and to start with, you should be knowing the type of smoke detectors that you want to dispose.

We are in an age that is environmentally conscious that wants to make sure everything is disposed off safely and in the most harmless way. Our society is no longer ignorant on hazardous wastes anymore.   

Important to note is that some of the smoke detectors you are using contain radioactive elements. The most common is Americium-241. Hence, a lot of consumers may be unsure of how to dispose responsibility.

Americium-241

Americium-241 is an isotope of Americium.

Any substance with unstable nucleus in their atoms is classified as radioactive. That means it can release excessively high energy impromptu. You are likely to find americium-241 in ionization smoke detectors.

The working principle simply put, leverages on the fact that smoke interrupts the flow of the radioactive particles, hence triggering an alarm.

However, the amount of Americium-241 used in the smoke detectors is miniaturized. Consequently, the tiny levels are regarded as harmless to humans. Americium-241 is considered harmful when inhaled or ingested.

Tampering with the smoke detector whether it is functioning or not, is highly discouraged because of the health hazards it may pose especially if it contains the radioactive substance.

Photoelectric smoke detectors on the other hand do not contain radioactive elements. Contrary they use a ray of light that is interrupted in the chamber by smoke triggering an alarm.

How Do I tell if my Smoke Detector is RadioActive?

It is a requirement by law that any smoke detector containing any radioactive components have a warning on the label. The label will usually be behind the smoke detector.

If you therefore do not find any warning, you are safe to assume that it is radioactive free.

Comparatively, to identify an ionization smoke detector, check for a letter “I” or the name “ionization” at the label section.

How do I dispose My Smoke Detectors Near Me?

Some manufacturers have a plan to recycle their smoke detectors. Therefore, they should be your first point of contact. At the end of life, the detectors can be shipped back to the manufacturer for further action.

In situations where you are unable to return the expired, unwanted or faulty smoke alarms to the manufacturer, then following the local regulations on waste management and smoke detector disposal is okay.

Check for a hazardous collection point near you.

For example, you can trash them in a land fill. The radioactive elements are not considered harmful as explained earlier.

However, in cases where there are radioactive detectors installed as a prerequisite to allow waste, for instance some incinerators, the waste may be rejected.

Smoke Detectors Consist of Much More

Although we have put emphasis to the subject of radioactive elements present in some of the smoke detectors, that is not all the reason you need to recycle or dispose responsibly.

Smoke detectors are also made of the following materials:

The Casing

Mostly made of plastic that takes many years to degrade. A lot of plastics have made their way into the seas. It is estimated that about 8 million tonnes of plastic end up in the world oceans each year!

We cannot exhaust the detriments these delinquencies cause on the general ecological balance. Scientists have found plastic elements in fish.

Take note that you do not dismantle the chamber for ionization smoke detectors otherwise you may expose the Americium-241!

Electronics

In the same way it is important to recycle electronics e.g. computers, TV, radio, phones etc, so it is for smoke detectors. The circuit may contain copper and gold that can be recycled and reused.

Batteries

For majority of smoke detectors, a battery is present. Either as a backup or as the sole source of power for the smoke detector.

Batteries should also be disposed cautiously. If just placed in a trash, the positive and negative terminals may come in contact with other batteries or metal objects. This in turn may cause excessive heating that can result in a fire. Hence, batteries can be a fire hazard.

It is advisable to tape the terminals with an electrical tape or masking tape before throwing them away. In fact, some states prohibit dumping batteries in the general trash.

Check with your state if they require you to dispose battery waste in dedicated places. Given these points, always remove batteries from the smoke detectors before you dispose. 

Batteries are also known to contain harmful metals that can compromise the lives of humans and animals.   

In conclusion, we congratulate you for being an environmentally conscious member of our society!

Tattered, frayed, and rugged are just a few of the adjectives to describe firefighter gear. Some veterans will even tell you that during their day, the more worn out their gear is, the better their street cred. Their beaten up equipment signifies how seasoned they are in the field.

While looking stained is a definitive sign of being in the heart of the action for firefighters, keeping one’s gear dirty is not recommended. It might look great while you’re in motion but it can affect the quality and safety performance of your gear.

The Importance of Proper Firefighter Turnout Gear Maintenance

But one may think: why should you clean up your turnout gear if it’s going to get soot, ash, and smoke all over it anyway? Why bother, right?

Well, it’s all about the maintenance of the gear. Cleaning your turnout gear will help restore it to a great working order. Furthermore, this prevents the damaging debris and other stuff from further harming the material and integrity of the garments.

SEE ALSO:

Firefighter knives

Firefighter Boots

By properly caring for your turnout gear, the longer its shelf life can last. In turn, it can protect the wearer effectively for longer as well.

Turnout gears are pieces of safety equipment, too, as you would know. So if you let it deteriorate by not restoring it to a good condition after use, the easier it will get damaged. Once it’s in bad shape, it won’t be very effective in keeping the wearer safe anymore.

You may as well sell your used firefighting gear in the future. Of course, the better it looks, the higher the market price it may attract.

How to Clean Turnout Gear

Regularly cleaning your firefighter gear is an essential step to keep them in good condition. How do you do this? Here are the steps:

1. Brush off the debris from the surface and rinse off the gear after every use. Pre-treat the areas that are heavily soiled using a mild detergent.

2. If the liners of the gear are detachable, take them out and wash them separately. This will prevent damage and the transferring of contaminants from one layer to another.

3. Turn the liner inside out for more thorough washing and drying.

4. Fasten all closures and cover all hooks and loops to prevent snagging, damage, and premature wear.

5. Machine washing is not recommended for proximity gear. This isn’t the case for structural gear as you can wash them in front-loading machines without agitators. There are some special machines made for firefighter gear, that you can use for such garments, too. Strictly stick with 85-100 Gs for the extractor G-force. For top-load washers, use a laundry bag to prevent snagging and damage on the turnout gear. Never use the same washer for your regular clothes to wash turnout gear.

6. Always dry the garment properly after cleaning, especially if it got wet.

Guidelines to Keep the Firefighter Gear Immaculate

So how do you maintain your turnout gear properly? Due to the specificity of these items, you can’t just wing the upkeep and care of your turnout gear. This is why the National Fire Protection Association came up with its guidelines for this specific task.

The NFPA 1851, Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural Firefighting and Proximity Firefighting notes the minimal requirements in the proper care and maintenance of firefighter gear. Here are the basic requirements:

• Inspect your clothing after each use to quickly spot and address issues right away. Advanced inspections are recommended to be done at least once a year.

• Keep your firefighter protective gear clean all the time as doing so will help ensure its good performance. There are three required ways to clean one’s gear:
  • Routine cleaning that only requires brushing off debris and rinsing off after. Pre-treat the areas that are heavily soiled.
  • Advanced cleaning is required every 6 months and involves more thorough steps in cleaning the gear.
  • Specialized cleaning is necessary when the protective clothing got contaminated by a toxic liquid or pathogens.
  • Always dry the garment properly after cleaning, especially if it got wet.

• In case your gear got damaged, have it repaired by professionals. Do not try to DIY it as there’s a chance that it won’t be effective enough to provide protection to the wearer again.

• Store your gear properly, preferably away from direct sunlight and away from contaminants.

• Let your gear go when it’s already considered to be unsafe. These things may not have definitive best before dates but they can still get expired when they can’t effectively do their jobs anymore. Be willing to retire them if they’re already very worn out.

• Machine washing is not recommended for proximity gear. Structural gear, on the other hand, are best washed with washing machines that do not come with agitators and are designated for washing firefighter gear. These are crucial to keep your protective clothing in clean status.

Aside from the recommendations of the NFPA, you should also heed the cleaning tips of your gear’s manufacturer.

The folks behind the protective gear will tell you lots of useful information about their product that will further help you keep your gear in the best state. Keep them in mind and use them alongside the NFPA 1851 guidelines and you can be sure to keep your firefighting protective gear in good shape.

Conclusion

Keeping your firefighter gear in great condition will help guarantee better protection, so proper maintenance for these items is always a must.

The process is not too complicated, so do not be daunted by it. Since the gear is special, it certainly deserves some tender love care. Make sure to exert the effort for their upkeep.