Stedfast understands and values the importance of a well-maintained set of bunker gear. Each fire department and care and repair facility should also contribute to the longevity of each component of the suit. There is a long list of simple actions that can be taken directly by the fire department to help maintain the gear. Avoiding UV exposure, storing the gear properly, and cleaning it are a few preventive actions.
NFPA 1850: Care and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Firefighting:
General Cleaning Information
For Structural Outer Shells / Liners/Proximity Outer Shells / Liners / DRDs, Soiled and improperly maintained turnout gear may be contaminated with carcinogenic hydrocarbons, diesel fuel, tars, and/or toxic chemicals that become embedded in the protective fabrics, reducing thermal protection, breathability, useful life, and protective qualities of your gear. These noxious chemicals can easily be transferred onto the skin and eventually absorbed into the bloodstream. Therefore, it is extremely important to properly remove, clean, and maintain your Turnout Gear/PPE while preserving the protective qualities of the fabrics used in turnout gear construction.
Stedfast recommends that each organization assess the suitability of all cleaning products based on the requirements outlined in NFPA 1850, 2026 edition.
