Clearwater Fire & Rescue Department Protective Clothing Care PDF

CLEARWATER FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE S.O.P. 917 SUBJECT: Protective Clothing Care PAGE 1 of 5 CATEGORY:...

CLEARWATER FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE S.O.P. 917 SUBJECT: Protective Clothing Care PAGE 1 of 5 CATEGORY: SUBCATEGORY: Support Services Logistics APPROVED BY: EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/04/05 REVISION DATE: 06/09/22 REVIEWED DATE: SIGNATURE ON FILE, APPROVED TO FORM THIS DATE BY SCOTT EHLERS, FIRE CHIEF, FIRE & RESCUE DEPARTMENT FORMS REQUIRED: NOTE: Current forms are located on the Department’s SharePoint. PURPOSE: The Clearwater Fire & Rescue Department will provide firefighting protective clothing (bunker gear) for its firefighters. This gear must be cleaned, maintained, and inspected according to departmental procedures and manufacturer’s specifications. 917.1 General Procedures A. Soiled or contaminated protective garments reflect less heat, are less insulated, and are overall less protective than clean garments. Therefore, personal protective clothing should be as clean as possible. B. All spare protective clothing shall be kept at the Logistics warehouse. No spare gear should be kept in the stations. C. Arrangements shall be made, as detailed below, to pick up spare gear before dropping off soiled gear. D. When turning in gear to Logistics for cleaning, make sure to remove all items from pockets and verify that each item is properly marked with your name. Harness and straps must also be removed prior to bagging the gear for cleaning. E. Spare gear shall be returned to Logistics before the pickup of cleaned gear. F. If a member would like their PPE gear laundered, please contact Logistics via the "Fire Logistics" email to make arrangements when the member will be off for four days. This allows logistics to clean and deliver to the members station without having to issue spare gear. 917.2 Cleaning Procedures - Non-Biohazard A. Bunker Coats and Pants 1. Following a working fire, any soiled protective clothing shall be placed on a hard surface, such as a clean cement floor. a. Clean using a mild soap solution. b. Warm water. c. A soft brush or cloth. d. Avoid heavy scrubbing and/or abrasives. e. Hang and drip dry. SUBJECT: EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/04/05 S.O.P. 917 Protective Clothing Care REVISION DATE: 06/09/22 CATEGORY: SUBCATEGORY: PAGE 2 of 5 Support Services Logistics 2. DO NOT DRY CLEAN. 3. DO NOT USE BLEACH. 4. DO NOT USE PEROXIDE. 5. DO NOT USE CLEANING SOLUTIONS WITH A Ph GREATER THAN 10.5. 6. DO NOT DRY OR STORE IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT. B. Helmet Shell 1. Wash with warm water and a mild detergent using a soft brush. 2. DO NOT USE LIQUID HYDROCARBONS. 3. DO NOT USE SOLVENT-TYPE PRODUCTS. 4. DO NOT USE WAXES. 5. DO NOT USE POLISHES. C. Hoods 1. Use wash container provided to each station. 2. Shape and dry on towel. 3. DO NOT USE BLEACH. 4. DO NOT DRY IN DRYER. D. Boots 1. Wash boots with warm water and a mild detergent using a soft brush. 2. DO NOT USE LIQUID HYDROCARBONS. 3. DO NOT USE SOLVENT-TYPE PRODUCTS. 4. DO NOT USE WAXES. 5. DO NOT USE POLISHES. 6. Disinfect the inside of footwear with a spray disinfectant. E. Gloves 1. Machine wash warm. 2. Drip dry. 3. DO NOT USE BLEACH. 4. DO NOT DRY IN DRYER. F. Traffic Safety Vests 1. Machine wash cold with mild detergent 2. Tumble dry on low or hang dry 3. DO NOT bleach, iron or dry clean  SUBJECT: EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/04/05 S.O.P. 917 Protective Clothing Care REVISION DATE: 06/09/22 CATEGORY: SUBCATEGORY: PAGE 3 of 5 Support Services Logistics G. Should gear be extremely soiled, or in need of repair/replacement: 1. Contact Logistics, they will issue spare personal protective clothing and have the soiled items laundered and inspected at an N.F.P.A. approved laundry. Should repair/replacement be needed, they will be handled by Logistics. 2. Place your soiled gear in a clear plastic bag marked with your name, shift, and station on the outside of the bag and bring it to Logistics. 3. If after hours or the warehouse is closed, contact the on duty Assistant Chief of Suppression for entry into the warehouse. 4. All bunker gear dropped off at Logistics shall be placed under the stairs in the main warehouse area. 5. At no time will contaminated gear be allowed inside the offices or break area of the shop/warehouse. 917.3 Cleaning Procedures – Biohazard A. Contact Logistics, they will issue spare personal protective clothing and have the soiled items laundered and inspected at an N.F.P.A. approved laundry. Should repair/replacement be needed, they will be handled by Logistics. B. Safely place biohazard (blood, body fluids) contaminated bunker gear in doubled yellow plastic bag marked with your name, shift, and station and bring it to the Logistics warehouse. C. DO NOT PLACE IN BIOHAZARD RED BAG. D. Logistics will have the gear laundered at an N.F.P.A. approved laundry and make notification when gear is returned and ready for pickup. E. Protective gloves are recommended for this procedure. F. If after hours or the warehouse is closed, contact the on duty Assistant Chief of Suppression for entry into the warehouse. G. At no time will contaminated gear in any form be allowed inside the offices or break area of the shop/warehouse. 917.4 Cleaning Procedures – Haz-mat Hazardous materials contamination will be handled on a case-by-case basis with consultation from the Pinellas County Haz-Mat Team. 917.5 Inspection A. During January and February of each year, all personal protective clothing will be inspected by the Logistics Bureau and Health & Safety Bureau for: 1. Cleanliness  SUBJECT: EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/04/05 S.O.P. 917 Protective Clothing Care REVISION DATE: 06/09/22 CATEGORY: SUBCATEGORY: PAGE 4 of 5 Support Services Logistics 2. Condition 3. Any necessary repairs B. Annual inspection will be done in combination with the S.C.B.A. fit testing and S.C.B.A. emergency procedure review. C. This inspection will be of all PPE to include gloves, hood, face piece, boots and other items issued by the department. 917.6 Personal Protective Clothing Damage, Repairs, and Replacement A. Logistics will be contacted for any personal protective clothing replacement or repairs via e-mail and phone. Those items are: 1. Coats 2. Pants 3. Helmets 4. Suspenders 5. Hoods 6. Boots 7. Gloves 8. Traffic safety vest B. Should a protective clothing issue occur during non-business hours, notify the on duty Assistant Chief of Suppression for immediate resolution. C. If spare gear does not properly fit, immediately contact your station officer in charge. He/she will make arrangements to get proper fitting gear through coordination with Logistics and/or the on duty Assistant Chief of Suppression. D. No additions, alterations, or changes to any portion of PPE shall occur unless done by an authorized service provided and in accordance with all applicable N.F.P.A. and manufacture guidelines. E. Any Special Teams personal protective equipment must be returned in the event a member resigns, takes leave of absence, or retires. F. All spare gear is to be returned to Logistics when not in use and shall not be kept at the fire station. G. Any personal clothing sent in to be decontaminated shall have “Clearwater Fire” written in permanent marker on the tag to be visible to the cleaning company. 917.7 Annual Cleaning A. Bunker pants, jackets and helmets (also boots, as needed) will be sent in annually for a Certification Cleaning. This will be coordinated by Logistics and performed by an N.F.P.A. approved facility. SUBJECT: EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/04/05 S.O.P. 917 Protective Clothing Care REVISION DATE: 06/09/22 CATEGORY: SUBCATEGORY: PAGE 5 of 5 Support Services Logistics B. Gear will be prepared in the same manner as any other cleaning. Remove all items form pockets and make sure all pieces of gear are properly marked. Harness and straps must also be removed prior to bagging the gear for cleaning. C. Unless contaminated, gear going in for annual cleaning will be placed in a clear bag with the name clearly marked on the outside of the bag. D. Additional details on this procedure will be published annually in an Informational Bulletin prior to the start of the process.