HomeMy WebLinkAbout202.021 - On-Scene Cleaning Procedures for Personnel and PPE
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES MANUAL
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
202.021 ON-SCENE CLEANING PROCEDURES FOR
PERSONNEL AND PPE
EFFECTIVE: APRIL 2020
Current Revision Date: 04/21/21 Next Revision Date: 04/21/24
Author’s Name/Rank: Koby Johns, Captain Review Level: 1
Administrative Support:
Evelyn Yin-Zepeda,
Management Analyst II
Section 202.021
Page 1 of 4
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines and procedures for the field
decontamination of personal protective equipment (PPE) and self-contained breathing
apparatus harness (SCBA) after use at structure fires. The goal of the following
procedures is to minimize dermal absorption of carcinogenic contaminants and
possible cross-contamination of fire apparatus cab interiors and fire station facilities.
APPLICATION
This policy applies to all Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department) personnel who
engage in structural firefighting operations at an incident and are exposed to levels of
smoke and products of combustion requiring the use of SCBA. Nothing in this policy
is intended to limit or discourage the field decontamination of PPE or SCBA if deemed
necessary by the individual who wore it, the incident commander, or their designee.
OPERATIONAL POLICY
Prior to placing PPE and SCBA harness on apparatus after use, personnel shall
ensure that their PPE and SCBA harness have been decontaminated from the
products of combustion.
The standard engine company will include a field decontamination kit which includes:
Green 5-gallon bucket.
One (1) 25’ foot section of marine grade water hose with 1/2” fittings,
rated for at least 150 psi.
One (1) gallon Dawn dish soap.
One (1) 20” sea scout brush.
Section 202.021
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One (1) 8” sea scout brush.
One (1) quart spray bottle (1/4 teaspoon Dawn dish soap: 32 oz. water).
One (1) garden hose spray nozzle with 1/2” fittings.
Battalion chiefs are responsible to provide the following items to support the on-scene
gross decontamination process:
Minimum one (1) package of wet wipes.
Plastic trash bags (roll).
OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE
Officers are responsible to ensure appropriate cleaning of PPE and personnel under
their supervision occurs before leaving the incident scene, and upon returning to
quarters.
PROCESS
Remove loose material from PPE/SCBA by dry brush or the use of
compressed air.
Mix soap solution in green 5-gallon bucket with approximately 4 gallons
of water and 4 teaspoons (2 caps) of Dawn dish soap. (1 cap full of soap
from Dawn container = 2 tsp.)
Pre-rinse PPE/SCBA harness with water. Ensure 2nd stage regulator is
either in use or clipped into storage cup.
Liberally apply soap mixture to PPE/SCBA harness with 1-quart spray
bottle containing ¼ teaspoon Dawn dish soap to 32 oz. water.
Scrub PPE/SCBA harness using scout brush that has been soaked in 5-
gallon bucket with soap solution.
Rinse PPE/SCBA harness with water until no suds appear.
Allow PPE/SCBA harness to air dry for at least 15 minutes prior to
placing back on apparatus which will allow any remaining volatile
organic compounds to off-gas.
Section 202.021
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Immediately after removal of helmet, hood, and SCBA face-piece,
members are advised to remove contaminants from exposed skin of
head, face, jawline, throat, neck, and hands using wet wipes.
When possible, do not transport soiled PPE in apparatus cab.
When members return to quarters, SCBA masks should be cleaned with
the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning solution (Confidence Plus)
in accordance with Training and Equipment Manual, Section 311.001,
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus.
Members are advised to shower thoroughly, don a clean day uniform,
launder soiled day uniform items, and place clean turnouts in service as
soon as is practical. Soiled PPE should be cleaned and dried in
accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines.
Note: Use of compressed air can potentially damage hearing;
appropriate hearing protection techniques should be
employed. Compressed air can also cause contaminants to
become airborne, this action should be performed away from
others, and techniques to avoid inhalation of airborne
particulates should be employed.
Also, note that the use of hose streams for on scene cleaning
of PPE should be used only after active interior firefighting
operations have been completed as wet turnouts provide
greatly reduced thermal protective performance (TPP).
INFORMATION
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DEFINITIONS
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CROSS-REFERENCES
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene,
“Contamination of firefighter personal protective equipment and skin and the
effectiveness of decontamination procedures”
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2017.1334904
Section 202.021
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California Labor Code, Section 6401.7
National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), 1851
Standard Operating Procedures Manual
Section 202.018, Carbon Monoxide and Hydrogen Cyanide Monitoring at
Structure Fires
Section 203.007, Injury and Illness Prevention Program
Section 203.010c, Personal Protective Equipment
Training and Equipment Manual
Section 311.001, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
Section 311.005, Firefighter Protective Clothing Cleaning Procedures