Firefighters pick up toxic contaminants while fighting burning blazes. In the heat of the moment, they’re not worried about how they’ll clean their turnout gear. They’re also not concerned with where they’ll do so. However, there are specific standards and codes set forth by the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) to ensure fire departments reduce the risks of health and safety issues that can come from tainted protective gear if not washed and dried properly, including the Commercial Dryer in Charlotte NC they use.
According to the NFPA, a standard called NFPA 1851 “establishes requirements for the selection, care, and maintenance of firefighting protective ensembles to reduce health and safety risks associated with improper maintenance, contamination or damage.”
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Laundry Standards For Fire Departments
Whether the gear is cleaned in-house or through an outsourcing company, the equipment must be cleaned and inspected. All carcinogens and toxins that might be lingering on the turnout gear must be eradicated before it is used again. Otherwise, the health of a firefighter could be compromised due to the remaining contaminants.
Below, you’ll find several requirements that NFPA 1851 states:
- Extraction speeds cannot surpass 100 G-Force
- High temps are not permissible during the drying process
- Wash temps cannot go beyond 105 degrees Fahrenheit
In addition to these requirements, the NFPA 1851 also includes proper testing, repair, and inspection rules that must be followed as well.
Why must these rules be followed so specifically? According to the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, “Firefighters are at a significantly higher risk for developing multiple cancers than the general population.” Even more, in a 2013 white paper, it was noted that “firefighters are developing far more aggressive types of cancers at a younger age than the general population.”
Often, washing more than once is required when relying on laundromats or dry cleaning facilities to launder equipment. In addition, it’s expensive and time-consuming. The best option, the one that offers the most benefits, is to have laundry equipment right in the department.
There’s no need to rewash and dry to get a better clean when you’re using the most efficient, state-of-the-art machines by Speed Queen and Continental Girbau. Not only will you get a better clean on the first wash, but you’ll also find that our washers and dryers prolong the life of firefighting gear. There’s less wear and tear, color fading, and other problems that multiple washings and dryings can cause.
Extending the life of equipment means a lot because turnout gear is quite expensive to replace. According to NFPA 1851, 10 years should be the lifecycle of equipment. Unfortunately, that is rarely the case when using other machines. Speed Queen and Continental Girbau, however, increase the lifespan of turnout gear and minimize the need for frequent replacements.
If you’re interested in learning more about how beneficial having internal laundry equipment can be for your station, be sure to visit back with our next blog post, soon.
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