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NFPA 1951
Standards
Standard on Selection, Care,
and Maintenance of Structural
Fire Fighting Protective Ensembles
Edition 2008
2.1.1 - The organization shall develop and implement a program for the
selection, care, and maintenance of structural firefighting protective
ensembles and ensemble elements used by the members of the organization in
the performance of their assigned functions.
2.3.1 - The organization shall compile and maintain records on their
structural firefighting 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 issued
- Manufacturer's identification number, lot or serial number
- Month and year of manufacture
- Date(s) of and findings of advanced inspection(s)
- Date(s) of advanced cleaning or decontamination
- Reason for advanced cleaning or decontamination and who performed
cleaning and decontamination
- Date(s) of repair(s), who performed repair(s), and brief description
of any repair(s)
- Date of retirement
- Date and method of disposal
4.1.3 - The organization shall determine
appropriate actions to be taken if an element is found to be in need of
cleaning, decontamination, or repair.
4.2.1 - Each individual member shall conduct a
routine inspection of their personal ensemble or ensemble elements after
each use. The Organization shall establish what constitutes use to at least
include each time the element(s) is exposed, or suspected of having been
exposed, to damage or to contamination.
5.1.1 - Organizations shall provide a means for having elements cleaned
and decontaminated.
5.1.2 - 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.
5.1.3 - Commercial dry cleaning shall not be used as a means of cleaning
or decontaminating ensembles and ensemble elements unless approved by the
ensemble manufacturer.
5.1.4 - 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. NFPA 1851 establishes criteria for setting up a program to reduce safety
risks and potential health risks related to poorly maintained, contaminated,
or damaged protective ensembles and ensemble elements manufactured to NFPA
1971. In June 2007, a revised edition of the original standard was issued.
Program components covered by the standard are:
-
Selection
-
Inspection
-
Cleaning and Decontamination
-
Repair
-
Storage
-
Retirement
-
Record Keeping
1. SELECTION
- Perform risk assessment based on duties and
hazards faced by your department.
- Evaluate elements under consideration against risk assessment.
- Ensure that elements under consideration will interface with other
PPE elements with which they will be used.
- Use a systematic method for comparing products when a field
evaluation is conducted.
2. ROUTINE
INSPECTION
- Performed by the fire fighter after each use.
- Look for:
- Soiling
- Contamination
- Physical damage
- Damaged or missing trim
- Loss of seam integrity or missing stitches
- Correct assembly of components
ADVANCED INSPECTION
- Performed annually by fire department’s trained personnel or
verified Independent Service Provider (ISP).
- Ensemble elements that are “soiled” must be cleaned before
inspection.
- Findings of inspection must be documented.
- Include all elements of routine inspection.
- Perform required tests on garment elements:
- Light evaluation test of liners.
- Leakage evaluation.
COMPLETE LINER
INSPECTION
- Performed annually on garments in use for three years or longer by
fire department’s trained personnel or verified ISP.
- Liner must be separated to expose the hidden sides of the moisture
barrier and thermal liner.
- Perform required test on moisture barrier:
- Water penetration barrier evaluation.
- Liners that pass inspection must be sewn together after testing.
3. ROUTINE
CLEANING
- The fire fighter is responsible for initiating at the scene.
- Separate ensembles and ensemble elements to avoid cross
contamination.
- Manufacturer’s cleaning instructions must be followed.
ADVANCED CLEANING
- Performed at least annually by fire department’s trained personnel
or verified ISP for ensemble and ensemble elements that are issued and
used.
- Performed at any time by fire department’s trained personnel or
verified ISP for ensemble and ensemble elements that meet the fire
department’s definition of “soiled”.
- Conducted by machine, unless prohibited by the manufacturer.
- Manufacturer’s cleaning instructions must be followed.
4. BASIC
REPAIRS
- Specific minor repairs may be performed by the fire department’s
trained personnel, verified or non-verified ISP, or the original
manufacturer.
- Ensemble elements that are “soiled” must be cleaned before repair.
- Repairs must be done in a manner that is compliant with NFPA 1971
and use “like materials” that are certified to be compliant with NFPA
1971.
ADVANCED REPAIRS
- All repairs to moisture barriers must be performed by the original
manufacturer or verified ISP.
- Ensemble elements that are “soiled” must be cleaned before repair.
- Repairs must be done in a manner that is compliant with NFPA 1971
and use “like materials” that are certified to be compliant with NFPA
1971.
5. STORAGE
- Ensemble and ensemble element storage areas must be clean, dry, and
well ventilated.
- Ensemble and ensemble elements must not be exposed to direct
sunlight or fluorescent light when not being worn.
- Ensemble and ensemble elements must not be stored in public places.
6. RETIREMENT
- Fire departments must develop specific criteria for removing
ensemble and ensemble elements from service.
- Ensemble and ensemble elements must be retired ten years from
manufacturing date. The radiant reflective shell on proximity gear must
be replaced at five years.
7. RECORD
KEEPING
- Fire departments must maintain records on all ensemble and ensemble
elements that are utilized by the department.
- Records include manufacturing detail, to whom the item is issued,
advanced cleanings, advanced inspections, repairs, and dates of
retirement and method of disposal.
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