How to Protect Your Turnouts Against Two Common But Dangerous Elements

By F.I.E.R.O. Staff
Published Thursday, January 24, 2013
From www.firefighternation.com

The estimated average price of a set of turnout gear constructed to the recommended high levels of protection is around $1,500. It doesn’t take an accountant to determine that personal protective equipment (PPE) is a major investment for any fire department. As with any major investment, especially one funded by public or donated dollars, it should be protected with the utmost of care. More importantly, that investment protects the department’s most valuable asset—its firefighters.

Despite the protective properties of protective clothing, it has a couple of “kryptonites”: chlorine bleach and light—especially sunlight. Both of these elements will destroy turnout gear, regardless of manufacturer or materials selected.

Chlorine bleach should never be used in the cleaning or disinfecting of protective clothing. It will weaken the fibers almost instantly.

Exposure to light will also weaken the fibers, but at a slower pace than chlorine bleach. Direct sunlight is the most aggressive type of light exposure. However, artificial light will also slowly eat away at the strength of the fibers. Firefighters should be alert for the first sign of degradation from light exposure: discoloration. If you observe discoloration, it’s an indication that your gear is likely not being stored properly, in a dark area. Remember: The reason that most new protective clothing is packaged in black plastic bags is to protect it from light.

Considering the costs of protective garments, every attempt should be made to prevent light exposure. Volunteers who keep their gear with them should keep it in a dark, well-ventilated area and away from possible exposure to other family members. Fire departments that store gear in the fire station should dedicate a separate, well-ventilated area that is shielded from light.

Two common places of storage that are especially harsh on protective clothing: hanging on the apparatus parked on the station apron (common in warmer climates) and hanging on the apparatus bay wall near glass bay doors. The ideal setting for storage of gear is in a dedicated room (without windows) with forced ventilation and motion-sensor light switches.

To learn more about storage of PPE, along with related topics on extending the life of your PPE, be sure to attend the 2013 F.I.E.R.O. Fire PPE Symposium. One of the presentations related to this subject will be “Weathering and Related Issues Regarding the Aging of PPE,” by Dr. Rick Davis and Dr. Shonali Nazare. Both these speakers are from NIST and will be providing the results of their recently completed research project on this subject. The Symposium will be March 4–6, 2013, at the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel in Raleigh, N.C. A highlight of the symposium will be a tour of the Textile Protection and Comfort Center (T-PACC) at N.C. State University. Details and online registration are available at www.fireppesymposium.com.