Raising the Bar: How Fire Departments Can Stay Ahead Of NFPA Gear Cleaning Standards

By: Mike Duyck, President

As firefighter health and safety remain paramount, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) continually updates its standards to address emerging challenges. The upcoming consolidation of gear cleaning and maintenance standards into NFPA 1850 signifies a pivotal shift in how fire departments approach personal protective equipment (PPE) care. Understanding these changes and implementing advanced decontamination solutions is essential for departments aiming to stay compliant and protect their personnel.

Understanding the Upcoming NFPA 1850 Standard

The NFPA is in the process of consolidating several existing standards—specifically NFPA 1851 (turnout gear) and NFPA 1852 (self-contained breathing apparatus, or SCBA)—into a unified standard known as NFPA 1850. This comprehensive standard will provide cohesive guidelines for the selection, care, and maintenance of firefighting PPE.

• Enhanced Cleaning and Decontamination Protocols – Departments will be required to implement more rigorous cleaning procedures to effectively remove contaminants from gear, ensuring firefighter safety and compliance with health regulations.
• Advanced Inspection Requirements – Regular, detailed inspections of PPE will become mandatory, aiming to identify and address wear, damage, or contamination that could compromise gear performance.
• Extended Equipment Lifespan Management – While structural firefighting gear traditionally has a service life of up to 10 years, the new standard introduces guidelines allowing SCBA to remain in service for up to 15 years, with possible extensions to 20 years if properly maintained and upgraded.
• Protection for Equipment Handlers – The standard emphasizes the safety of personnel responsible for cleaning and maintaining gear, mandating specialized training and the use of appropriate protective measures during decontamination processes.

These updates reflect a proactive approach to addressing the evolving challenges in firefighter safety, particularly concerning exposure to hazardous substances and the need for effective decontamination practices.

Preparing for Compliance: Steps for Fire Departments

To proactively align with the upcoming NFPA 1850 standard, fire departments should consider the following actions:

1. Evaluate Current Cleaning Protocols – Assess existing decontamination methods to determine their effectiveness in removing modern contaminants and their compliance with evolving standards.
2. Invest in Advanced Cleaning Technologies – Adopt innovative solutions to enhance decontamination efficacy, extend gear lifespan, and ensure environmental compliance.
3. Implement Comprehensive Training Programs – Ensure that personnel involved in PPE maintenance are adequately trained in the latest cleaning technologies and understand the importance of adhering to updated standards.
4. Establish Robust Record-Keeping Practices – Maintain detailed records of cleaning, inspections, and maintenance activities to demonstrate compliance and facilitate efficient management of PPE assets.

The forthcoming NFPA 1850 standard represents a significant advancement in the care and maintenance of firefighter PPE, emphasizing the need for effective decontamination practices and the adoption of innovative technologies. By integrating solutions such as ETD’s Liquid CO2 cleaning technology, fire departments can not only achieve compliance but also enhance the safety and longevity of their gear. 

Studies have demonstrated that Liquid CO2 cleaning can eliminate up to 100% of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) from firefighting gear, significantly surpassing the efficacy of conventional cleaning methods. Unlike traditional washing, which can deteriorate the protective qualities of turnout gear, Liquid CO2 cleaning is gentle on materials, thereby extending the lifespan of PPE and ensuring sustained performance. Additionally, the CO2-based process is environmentally friendly, as it requires no water and recycles the liquid CO2 from one cycle to the next, all while safely disposing of contaminants.

Emergency Technical Decon (ETD) has been verified by Underwriters Laboratories as an Independent Service Provider (ISP) under NFPA 1851, ensuring that its cleaning processes meet or exceed current and forthcoming NFPA requirements. Fire departments that invest in this technology will be better positioned to meet the challenges posed by evolving regulations while prioritizing firefighter safety. Contact ETD today to learn how our advanced cleaning technologies can help you stay ahead of the curve and ensure the highest standards of firefighter protection.