The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About311.009 - Structural Firefighter Protective Clothing Cleaning ProceduresEffective Date: April 2007 Thomas Cope, Battalion Chief Current Revision Date: 05/23/2025 Section 311.009 Next Revision (1) Date: 05/23/2029 Page 1 of 7 Fresno City Fire Department 300 Training and Equipment Manual SECTION 311.009 STRUCTURAL FIREFIGHTING PROTECTIVE CLOTHING CLEANING PROCEDURES PURPOSE This policy provides general information and procedures regarding the cleaning of Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department) issued structural firefighting PPE. Maintaining all structural firefighting PPE in a serviceable condition is critically important to incident safety and the long-term health of members. APPLICATION This policy applies to all sworn suppression members. OPERATIONAL POLICY All users of structural firefighting personal protective equipment (PPE) shall maintain all Department issued structural firefighting PPE in a serviceable condition. Any structural firefighting PPE item found to be contaminated, damaged, or otherwise unserviceable shall be cleaned, repaired, or replaced. OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE It is a goal of the department to comply with all relevant National Fire Protection Association standards related to the selection, care, and maintenance of structural firefighting PPE. To provide the greatest level of thermal protection during firefighting operations, structural firefighting garments (turnouts) should be maintained in a clean and dry condition. Cleaning Processes The cleaning of structural firefighting PPE is categorized into three processes: Routine Cleaning, Advanced Cleaning, and Specialized Cleaning. Effective Date: April 2007 Thomas Cope, Battalion Chief Current Revision Date: 05/23/2025 Section 311.009 Next Revision (1) Date: 05/23/2029 Page 2 of 7 • Routine Cleaning is the process of removing soiling and contaminants from structural firefighting ensemble components. Routine cleaning does not require items to be disassembled or removed from service, nor does it include the use of an extractor. Routine Cleaning includes on-scene cleaning (sometimes called “gross decontamination”) All users within the department should be trained to perform routine cleanings. • Advanced Cleaning of ensemble items requires the disassembly of some ensemble items, and therefore requires that the item(s) be temporarily placed out of service. Advanced cleaning of certain components (outer shells, liners, gloves, hoods, helmet brow pads, and/or shroud/earflaps) requires the use of an extractor. All users within the department should be trained to perform advanced cleanings. Other ensemble components (boots, gloves, and helmets) may be cleaned in the SCBA Decon washer located in the Air Shop. • Specialized Cleaning: exposure of ensemble components to known or suspected hazardous materials, bodily fluids, or other forms of contamination require that the item(s) be taken out of service and cleaned using processes appropriate for the contaminant or retired from service. PROCESS General Guidelines Usage and care for all ensemble items should comply with manufacturer’s guidelines. In all circumstances involving soiled or contaminated structural firefighting PPE, appropriate measures are to be used to eliminate or reduce the likelihood of exposing members of the department and/or the public to the contaminant(s), as well as to prevent or minimize cross-contamination (the transfer of contaminants from PPE to other items or to the environment). Users handling contaminated or soiled PPE should observe universal precautions. At minimum, nitrile gloves are to be worn. Other appropriate protective measures may include, masks, gowns, and/or respiratory protection such as dust masks or SCBAs. The safe handling of structural PPE items contaminated with known or suspected hazardous materials may require specific guidance from the HazMat Team Coordinator or other subject matter expert. When soiled or contaminated, PPE should not be carried in the cab of apparatus nor in the passenger compartment of personal vehicles. If transportation of soiled or contaminated PPE is necessary (for example: specialized cleaning), PPE should be Effective Date: April 2007 Thomas Cope, Battalion Chief Current Revision Date: 05/23/2025 Section 311.009 Next Revision (1) Date: 05/23/2029 Page 3 of 7 sealed in a plastic bag to minimize off-gassing and the likelihood of cross- contamination. PPE items should not be washed in commercial laundries, fire station washing machines, or home washing machines. Machine washing is limited to the use of washer/extractors, and/or the SCBA Decon washer. Use only Department approved disinfectants and detergents to clean/disinfect PPE ensemble items. The use of any product containing bleach or solvents, any abrasive cleaner, as well as any dry-cleaning process is prohibited. The following detergents and disinfectants are approved for use: Confidence Plus 2 Germicidal detergent and deodorant for use on SCBA masks CitroSqueeze Detergent concentrate used in washer/extractors, can also be used to pre-treat garments before advanced cleaning Clorox Pro Quaternary Disinfectant concentrate used in washer/extractors Dawn Dish Soap Detergent used for routine cleaning Mechanical dryers using heated air exceeding 105 degrees Fahrenheit should not be used, nor should turnouts be placed in direct sunlight to dry. Water temperatures should not exceed 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Routine Cleaning Procedures Routine Cleaning includes any combination of the following to remove contaminants: dry brushing; rinsing with low-pressure water streams; wet scrubbing with a stiff bristle brush and rinsing with water; and spot application of an approved detergent, scrubbing, and rinsing with water. Routine cleaning can be performed by the user at any time. Routine cleaning should be performed immediately after exiting any emergency scene in which the PPE may have been exposed to contaminants (including the products of combustion), and before removing SCBA mask, doffing PPE, and/or entering the cab of any apparatus. This process (technically referred to as “preliminary exposure reduction”) is commonly referred to as "on-scene gross decontamination." Effective Date: April 2007 Thomas Cope, Battalion Chief Current Revision Date: 05/23/2025 Section 311.009 Next Revision (1) Date: 05/23/2029 Page 4 of 7 Field decontamination processes include "dry mitigation" or "wet mitigation." • "Dry Mitigation" involves the use of whisk brooms or scrub brushes to brush off dry contaminants. The user should NOT remove SCBA facemask (and should remain on air if possible) until dry mitigation efforts are completed. Compressed air should NOT be used due to the likelihood of creating an airborne particulate hazard. If expected to return to active firefighting operations (for example, after exiting a structure to change SCBA bottles), ONLY dry mitigation techniques should be used. • "Wet Mitigation" if NOT expected to return to active interior firefighting, and after dry mitigation techniques have been completed, wet mitigation techniques can be employed. This includes the use of low-pressure water streams (such as a garden hose or red line using hydrant pressure) and may include spot application of an approved detergent on heavily soiled areas, scrubbing with a stiff bristle brush, and thorough rinsing. Water should be less than 105 degrees Fahrenheit, and high-pressure water streams should not be used. If expected to return to active firefighting operations, wet mitigation techniques should NOT be used due to the reduction of thermal protection performance (TPP) associated with wet turnouts. Turnouts exposed to the products of combustion will continue to off-gas even after on- scene gross decontamination. This off-gassing creates a significant respiratory hazard. Therefore, turnouts should be doffed and hung up or laid out on the ground as soon as possible. Advanced Cleaning Procedures Advanced Cleaning procedures require separation and disassembly of PPE components, and therefore require that the PPE be temporarily placed out of service. Only the following ensemble components are to be washed in the mechanical washer/extractors: Jacket (liner, shell, and DRD), pant (liner and shell), particulate blocking hood, and soft components of helmet, such as brow and crown pads, shroud, and suspension system. All other items requiring advanced cleaning (SCBA mask, boots, gloves, helmet shell and ratcheting system) can be washed by hand using an approved detergent or in the SCBA Decon washer located in the air shop. Effective Date: April 2007 Thomas Cope, Battalion Chief Current Revision Date: 05/23/2025 Section 311.009 Next Revision (1) Date: 05/23/2029 Page 5 of 7 Specialized Cleaning Process Ensemble items contaminated with body fluids should be cleaned and sanitized using advanced cleaning techniques as described in the INFORMATION section below. Ensemble items contaminated with known or suspected hazardous materials should be immediately removed from service, bagged, and isolated pending evaluation and guidance from the HazMat Team Coordinator or other subject matter expert. In most instances, items contaminated by hazardous materials (other than body fluids) will receive specialized cleaning from an independent service provider (ISP) or retired from service and destroyed. INFORMATION Advanced Cleaning of Pants and Jacket Heavily soiled or stained garments can be spot treated using approved detergent or pre-treated by soaking in a solution of warm water and approved detergent. Any jacket or pant contaminated with blood or other body fluids should initially be sanitized in a washer/extractor using Blood/Bio-hazard formula (Formula #8). All items should be removed from pockets, and all closures (including pocket closures, hooks and loops, snaps, and zippers) should be fastened before cleaning. Liners should be turned inside out before cleaning in washer/extractor. Advanced Cleaning of Structure Firefighting Helmets Structural firefighting helmets can be cleaned in the PPE washer located in the air shop. For advanced cleaning, soft components (including suspension system, fabric crown and brow pads, and shroud) can be cleaned with liners or with hoods in the washer/extractors. The helmet shell and other hard components can also be washed with warm water, an approved detergent, and a soft bristle brush in a bucket or utility sink. Solvents or abrasive cleaners are not to be used on any component of the helmet. Allow all components to air dry before reassembly. Effective Date: April 2007 Thomas Cope, Battalion Chief Current Revision Date: 05/23/2025 Section 311.009 Next Revision (1) Date: 05/23/2029 Page 6 of 7 Advance Cleaning of Structural Firefighting Gloves Gloves can be washed in the department SCBA Decon washer, or by hand in a utility sink or bucket containing an approved detergent and warm water using the following procedure: • Don structure firefighting gloves over nitrile gloves. • While wearing gloves, submerge in water/detergent solution without allowing solution to penetrate inside of glove. Rub gloves together vigorously, ensuring the cleaning of all exterior surfaces. A stiff bristle brush can also be used to scrub glove exterior. • Remove structure firefighting gloves, refill sink or bucket with clean water, and thoroughly rinse inside and outside of gloves. • Squeeze gloves to remove excess water. Do not wring out. • Gloves are to be dried using ambient air or warm air (no greater than 105 degrees Fahrenheit). Blowers that provide airflow into glove interior can be used to speed drying. Advanced Cleaning of Structure Firefighting Boots Boots can be washed in the department PPE washer, or by hand in a utility sink or bucket containing an approved detergent and warm water using the following procedure: • Invert boot and scrub boot interior using a stiff bristle brush or clean towel and detergent solution. • Submerge boot in water/detergent solution without allowing solution to penetrate inside of boot. Scrub boot exterior using stiff bristle brush. • Refill sink or bucket with clean water, and thoroughly rinse inside and outside of boots. • Invert boots to drain water, and dry using ambient or warm air (no greater than 105 degrees Fahrenheit). Blowers that provide airflow into boot interior can be used to speed drying. • After drying, leather boots can be treated with a sealant, conditioner, or polish per manufacturer’s guidelines. Effective Date: April 2007 Thomas Cope, Battalion Chief Current Revision Date: 05/23/2025 Section 311.009 Next Revision (1) Date: 05/23/2029 Page 7 of 7 DEFINITIONS This section intentionally left blank. CROSS-REFERENCES National Fire Protection Association 1851 Standard on Selection, Care and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural Firefighting and Proximity Firefighting (2020) Standard Operating Procedures Manual Section 202.021, On Scene Cleaning Procedures for Personnel and PPE