LAS VEGAS FIRE & RESCUE

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING / Routine Cleaning of Structural Firefighting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Reviewed Date:
Effective Date: / 12/22/08
Supersedes: / NEW / SOP / 406.03 / Page 1 of 5
  1. INTRODUCTION

A.Purpose:To provide instructions forRoutine Cleaning of Structural Firefighting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

B.Scope:Each member who has been issued turnouts.

C.Author:The Fire Chief or designee.

D.Authority:This procedure reflects recommendations by NFPA 1851, Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting, 2008 Edition.

  1. RESPONSIBILITY
  1. All Personnel: Routine Cleaning is the responsibility of each member.
  2. Supervisors:Supervisors shall ensure that members comply.
  1. POLICY

A.This procedure shall be followed after each use in an IDLH atmosphere or after exposure to an event that could have resulted in soiledPPE.

  1. Whenever possible, Routine Cleaning shall be initiated at the incident.
  2. At a fire station, Routine Cleaning shall be performed in a utility sink.

B.Universal precautions shall be used.

C.Routine cleaning is performed by hand only and can not be performed in amachine; machine cleaning is considered Advanced Cleaning and requires special certification.

D.The following shall NOT be used:

  1. Chlorine bleach or chlorinated solvents
  2. Oxygenated detergents or cleaners
  3. Water temperature above 40°C (105°F)
  4. Heavy scrubbing or spraying with high velocity water jets (power washer).

E.Garments shall be air dried, bagged, and labeled with the member’s name when unknown contaminants, suspected Hazardous Materials/CBRN Exposure, petroleum distillates, blood, cooking oil, body fluids, or heavy soiling are suspected to be present.

  1. Contact the Hazmat Team for proper incident decontamination for suspected Hazardous Materials/CBRN exposure.
  2. The Captain or supervisor shall notify a Support Services Chief that the exposure has occurred and arrange for pick up of the PPE.

NOTE: Retained moisture in gear can lead to mold and mildew when in a sealed environment. The gear shall be aired out and/or processed for cleaning as soon as possible.

  1. PROCEDURES

A.Common Fire Ground Soiling

  1. Any debris shall be brushed off.
  1. Rinse with low pressure water.
  1. When needed, initiate light scrubbing with an all synthetic brush followed by additional low pressure rinsing.

B.Cleaning at the Fire Station (Utility Sink)

  1. Structural Garments

a)To avoid cross contamination, garment components shall be isolated whenever possible.

b)Do not overload the utility sink.

c)Rinse the affected area with low pressure water.

d)If necessary, use a soft bristle brush to gently scrub a soiled area; use extra care with moisture barriers, moisture barrier seams, and thermal liner face cloths.

e)Rinse the component again.

f)If rinsing and light scrubbing fails to render the component clean, it shall be processed for Advanced Cleaning.

g)Following the Routine Cleaning procedure, the utility sink shall be cleaned out and rinsed.

  1. Air Drying Structural Garments

a)Place components on hangers and hang on drying racks; use hangers that do not rust anddo not overcrowd the drying rack.

b)Turn liners inside out to speed drying, if needed.

c)Dry in a well ventilated room shielded from sunlight or other UV light sources (such as fluorescent lights).

d)The use of fans to circulate air is advisable.

e)Check status every hour or as needed.

f)When dry, perform the Routine Inspection.

g)Properly reassemble element components.

  1. Cleaning of Hoods

a)To avoid cross contamination, hoods shall be cleaned separately from other protective elements or components.

b)Do not overload the utility sink.

c)Rinse the affected area with low pressure water.

d)Where necessary, a soft bristle brush may be used to gently scrub, and the component shall be rinsed-off again.

e)If rinsing and light scrubbing fails to render the component clean, it shall be processed for Advanced Cleaning.

f)Clean out and rinse the utility sink.

  1. Air Drying Hoods

a)Place on hangers and hang on drying racks.

(1)Use same instructions listed for Structural Garments

b)When dry, perform Routine Inspection.

  1. Helmets

a)To avoid cross contamination, helmets and helmet components shall be cleaned separately from other protective elements or components.

b)Rinse the affected area with low pressure water.

c)Where necessary, a soft bristle brush shall be used to gently scrub and the component shall be rinsed-off again.

(1)use extra care with helmet ear covers that contain moisture barrier materials and also with any reflective materials

d)If rinsing and light scrubbing fails to render the component clean, it shall be processed for Advanced Cleaning.

e)Clean out and rinse the utility sink.

f)When dry, perform Routine Inspection.

  1. Air Drying Helmets

a)Place the helmet and/or helmet components on drying racks. It is OK to hang the helmet by the chinstrap or hang up loop.

(1)Use same instructions listed for Structural Garments

b)When dry, perform Routine Inspection and reassemble helmet.

  1. Structural Gloves

a)To avoid cross contamination, gloves shall be cleaned separately from other protective elements or components.

b)Rinse the affected area with low pressure water.

c)Where necessary, a soft bristle brush shall be used to gently scrub and the component shall be rinsed-off again; interior linings can be cleaned by filling and agitating with a mild detergent and warm water solution followed by multiple rinsing.

d)If rinsing and light scrubbing fails to render the component clean, it shall be processed for Advanced Cleaning.

e)Clean out and rinse the utility sink.

f)When dry, perform Routine Inspection.

  1. Air Drying Gloves

a)Wet linings: dry first by draining and squeezing out excess liquid and stuff the interior of the glove with absorbent toweling or use forced air not to exceed 40°C (105°F)

b)Place on hangers or pegs on drying racks.

(1)Use same instructions listed for Structural Garments

c)When dry, perform Routine Inspection and reassemble.

  1. Structural Footwear

a)To avoid cross contamination, footwear shall be cleaned separately from other protective elements or components.

b)Rinse the affected area with low pressure water.

c)Where necessary, a soft bristle brush shall be used to gently scrub, and the component shall be rinsed-off again.

d)Interior linings can be cleaned by filling and agitating with a mild detergent and warm water solution followed by multiple rinsing. If a removable insert is present, remove it before starting this procedure.

e)If rinsing and light scrubbing fails to render the component clean, it shall be processed for Advanced Cleaning.

f)Clean out and rinse the utility sink.

g)When dry, perform Routine Inspection.

  1. Drying Structural Footwear

a)Interiorlining: dry first by draining and squeezing out excess liquid and stuff the interior with absorbent toweling or use forced air not to exceed 40°C (105°F)

(1)Use same instructions listed for Structural Garments

b)When dry, perform Routine Inspection and reassemble.