NFPA 1851 STANDARD ON SELECTION, CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF PROTECTIVE ENSEMBLES FOR STRUCTURAL FIRE FIGHTING AND PROXIMITY FIRE FIGHTING 2008 EDITION

THE PURPOSE OF THIS STANDARD SHALL BE TO ESTABLISH A PROGRAM FOR STRUCTURAL FIRE FIGHTING PROTECTIVE ENSEMBLES AND ENSEMBLE ELEMENTS AND FOR PROXIMITY FIRE FIGHTING PROTECTIVE ENSEMBLES AND ENSEMBLE ELEMENTS TO REDUCE THE SAFETY RISKS AND POTENTIAL HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH POORLY MAINTAINED,CONTAMINATED ,OR DAMAGED PROTECTIVE ENSEMBLES AND ENSEMBLE ELEMENTS

GENERAL INFORMATION

THE ORGANIZATION SHALL DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A PROGRAM FOR THE SELECTION , CARE , AND MAINTENANCE OF STRUCTUAL FIRE FIGHTING ENSEMBLES AND ENSEMBLE ELEMENTS AND PROXIMITY FIRE FIGHTING ENSEMBLES AND ENSEMBLE ELEMENTS USED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZATION IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR ASSIGNED FUNCTIONS

THIS PROGRAM SHALL HAVE THE GOAL OF PROVIDING STRUCTUAL FIRE FIGHTING ENSEMBLES AND ENSEMBLE ELEMENTS AND PROXIMITY FIRE FIGHTING ENSEMBLES AND ENSEMBLE ELEMENTS THAT ARE SUITABLE AND APPROPRIATE FOR THE INTENDED USE ; MAINTAINING SUCH PROTECTIVE ENSEMBLES AND ENSEMBLE ELMENTS IN A SAFE , USABLE CONDITION TO PROVIDE THE INTENDED PROTECTION TO THE USER;REMOVING FROM USE SUCH PROTECTIVE ENSEMBLES AND ENSEMBLE ELEMENTS THAT COULD CAUSE OR CONTRIBUTE TO USER INJURY , ILLLNESS , OR DEATH BECAUSE OF THEIR CONDITION ; AND RECONDITIONING , REPAIRING , OR RETIRING SUCH PROTECTIVE ENSEMBLES AND ENSEMBLE ELEMENTS.

RECORD KEEPING
THE ORGANIZATION SHALL COMPILE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS ON ITS STRUCTUAL AND PROXIMITY FIRE FIGHTING PROTECTIVE ENSEMBLES AND ENSEMBLE ELEMENTS

AT LEAST THE FOLLOWING RECORDS SHALL BE KEPT FOR EACH PROTECTIVE ENSEMBLE OR ENSEMBLE ELEMENT.

1. PERSON TO WHOM THE ELEMENT IS ISSUED TO
2. DATE AND CONDITION WHEN ISSUED
3. MANUFACTURER AND MODEL NAME OR DESIGN
4. MANUFACTURER'S IDENTIFICATION NUMBER LOT NUMBER OR SERIAL NUMBER
5. MONTH AND YEAR OF MANUFACTURE
6. DATE(S) AND FINDINGS ADVANCED INSPECTION(S)
7. DATE(S) AND FINDINGS OF ADVANCED CLEANING OR DECONTAMINATION
8. REASON FOR ADVANCED CLEANING OR DECONTAMINATION AND WHO PERFORMED CLEANING OR DECONTAMINATION
9. DATE(S) OF REPAIR(S) WHO PERFORMED REPAIR(S) AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF REPAIR(S)
10. DATE OF RETIREMENT
11. DATE AND METHOD OF DISPOSAL

PROTECTING THE PUBLIC AND PERSONNEL FROM CONTAMINATION

THE ORGANIZATION SHALL DEVELOP WRITTEN SOPs THAT MINIMIZE THE PUBLICS AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL'S EXPOSURE TO SOILED OR CONTAMINATED STRUCTUAL OR PROXIMITY FIRE FIGHTING PROTECTIVE ENSEMBLES AND ENSEMBLE ELEMENTS.
THE SOPs SHALL REQUIRE THAT PROTECTIVE ENSEMBLES OR ENSEMBLE ELEMENTS NOT BE WORN OR STORED IN THE LIVING AREAS OF FIRE DEPARTMENT FACILITIES.

THE PUBLIC SHALL NOT BE EXPOSED AT ANYTIME EXCEPT DURING EMERGENCY OPERATIONS, TO SOILED OR POTENTIALLY CONTAMINATED PROTECTIVE ENSEMBLES OR ENSEMBLE ELEMENTS.
SOILED OR POTENTIALLY CONTAMINATED ENSEMBLES OR ENSEMBLE ELEMENTS SHALL NOT BE BROUGHT INTO THE HOME, WASHED IN HOME LAUNDRIES,OR WASHED IN PUBLIC LAUNDRIES.

INSPECTION
UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS SHALL BE OBSERVED, AS APPROPRIATE WHEN HANDLING ENSEMBLE ELEMENTS.

ANY ENSEMBLE ELEMENTS THAT ARE FOUND TO BE SOILED OR CONTAMINATED SHALL BE CLEANED OR DECONTAMINATED BEFORE ANY ADDITIONAL INSPECTION IS INITIATED. WHERE ENSEMBLE ELEMENTS ARE FOUND TO BE CONTAMINATED BY CBRN AGENTS, THE ENSEMBLE SHALL BE RETIRED.

THE ORGANIZATION SHALL ESTABLISH GUIDELINES FOR ITS MEMBERS TO FOLLOW IN DETERMINING IF AN ELEMENT IS SOILED TO AN EXTENT THAT CLEANING IS NECESSARY.

THE ORGANIZATION SHALL DETERMINE APPROPRIATE ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN IF AN ELEMENT IS FOUND TO BE IN NEED OF CLEANING, DECONTAMINATION , OR REPAIR.

ROUTINE INSPECTION

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS SHALL CONDUCT A ROUTINE INSPECTION OF THEIR PROTECTIVE ENSEMBLES AND ENSEMBLE ELEMENTS AFTER EACH USE.

COAT AND TROUSER GARMENT ELEMENTS SHALL BE INSPECTED FOR THE FOLLOWING.

1. SOILING
2. CONTAMINATION
3. PHYSICAL DAMAGE SUCH AS THE FOLLOWING
A. ; RIPS , TEARS , AND CUTS.
B. ; DAMAGED OR MISSING HARDWARE AND CLOSURE SYSTEMS.
C. ; THERMAL DAMAGE (CHARRING , BURN HOLES , MELTING , DISCOLORATION OF ANY LAYER)

4. ; DAMAGED OR MISSING REFLECTIVE TRIM.
5. ; LOSS OF SEAM INTEGRITY AND BROKEN OR MISSING STITCHES.
6. ; CORRECT ASSEMBLY AND SIZE COMPATABILITY OF SHELL , LINER AND THE DRAG RESCUE DEVICE (DRD)

HELMET ELEMENTS SHALL BE INSPECTED FOR THE FOLLOWING

1.; SOILING
2. ; CONTAMINATION
3.; PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE SHELL SUCH AS THE FOLLOWING
A. ; CRACKS,CRAZING , DENTS AND ABRASIONS
B. ; THERMAL DAMAGE TO THE SHELL (BUBBLING , SOFT SPOTS ,WARPING , DISCOLORATION)
4. ; PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE EARFLAPS SUCH AS THE FOLLOWING:
A. ; RIPS , TEARS , AND CUTS.
B. ; THERMAL DAMAGE (CHARRING , BURN HOLES , MELTING)

5. ; DAMAGED OR MISSING COMPONENTS OF THE SUPENSION AND RETENTION SYSTEMS

6. ; DAMAGED OR MISSING COMPONENTS OF THE FACESHIELD / GOGGLE SYSTEM , INCLUDING DISCOLORATION , CRAZING , AND SCRATCHES TO THE FACESHIELD / GOGGLE LENS LIMITING VISIBILITY.

7. ; DAMAGED OR MISSING REFLECTIVE TRIM

8. ; LOSS OF SEAM INTEGRITY AND BROKEN OR MISSING STITCHES

INTERFACE COMPONENTS

DEFINITION - ANY MATERIAL, PART, OR SUBASSEMBLY USED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE COMPLIANT PRODUCT THAT PROVIDES LIMITED PROTECTION TO INTERFACE AREAS

INTERFACE AREA DEFINED - AN AREA OF THE BODY WHERE THE PROTECTIVE GARMENTS, HELMET, GLOVES, FOOTWEAR, OR SCBA FACEPIECE MEET. INTERFACE AREAS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THE COAT / HELMET / SCBA FACE PIECE AREA ; THE COAT/TROUSER AREA ; THE COAT/GLOVE AREA ; AND THE TROUSER/FOOTWEAR AREA.

INTERFACE COMPONENTS SHALL BE INSPECTED FOR THE FOLLOWING.
1. SOILING
2. CONTAMINATION
3. PHYSICAL DAMAGE
4. LOSS OR REDUCTION OF PROPERTIES THAT ALLOW COMPONENT TO CONTINUE AS EFFECTIVE INTERFACE {e.g. , LOSS OF SHAPE OR INABILITY TO REMAIN ATTACHED TO THE RESPECTIVE ELEMENT (s) WHERE ATTACHMENT IS REQUIRED}
5. LOSS OF SEAM INTEGRITY AND BROKEN STITCHES

ADVANCED INSPECTION

ADVANCED INSPECTION AND ANY NECESSARY TESTING SHALL BE PERFORMED BY A VERIFIED ISP (INDEPENDENT SERVICE PROVIDER) OR THE ORGANIZATION'S TRAINED PERSONNEL

THE ENSEMBLE OR ENSEMBLE ELEMENT MANUFACTURER OR A VERIFIED ISP AND THE ORGANIZATION SHALL DETERMINE THE LEVEL OF TRAININGREQUIRED TO PERFORM ADVANCED INSPECTIONS. THE ENSEMBLE OR ENSEMBLE ELEMENT MANUFACTURER OR VERIFIED ISP SHALL PROVIDE WRITTEN VERIFICATION OF TRAINING.

ADVANCED INSPECTIONS OF ALL PROTECTIVE ENSEMBLE ELEMENTS SHALL BE CONDUCTED AT A MINIMUM OF EVERYY 12 MONTHS OR WHENEVER ROUTINE INSPECTIONS INDICATE THAT A PROBLEM COULD EXIST

THE FINDINGS OF THE ADVANCED INSPECTION SHALL BE DOCUMENTED ON AN INSPECTION FORM.

ALL SEPARABLE LAYERS OF THE GARMENT ELEMENTS SHALL BE INSPECTED FOR THE FOLLOWING

SOILING
CONTAMINATION
PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO ALL LAYERS, SUCH AS THE FOLLOWING.

A. RIPS , TEARS , CUTS , AND ABRASIONS

B. DAMAGED OR MISSING HARDWARE

C. THERMAL DAMAGE, (CHARRING, BURN HOLES, MELTING, DISCOLORATION OF ANY LAYER)

LOSS OF MOISTURE BARRIER INTEGRITY AS INDICATED BY ANY OF THE FOLLOWING

RIP, TEARS, CUTS, OR ABRASIONS
DISCOLORATION
THERMAL DAMAGE

EVALUATION OF SYSTEM FIT AND COAT/TROUSER OVERLAP.

LOSS OF SEAM INTEGRITY AND BROKEN OR MISSING STITCHES.

LOSS OF MATERIAL PHYSICAL INTEGRITY (ULTRAVIOLET UV OR CHEMICAL DEGRADATION) AS EVIDENCED BY DISCOLORATION, SIGNIFICANT CHANNGES IN MATERIAL TEXTURE, LOSS OF MATERIAL STRENGTH, LOSS OF LINER MATERIAL, AND SHIFTING OF LINER MATERIAL.

LOSS OF WRISTLET ELASTICITY , STRETCHING , RUNS , CUTS , OR BURN HOLES.

REFLECTIVE TRIM INTEGRITY, ATTACHMENT TO GARMENT , REFLECTIVITY , OR DAMAGE.

LABEL INTEGRITY AND LEGIBILITY

HOOK AND LOOP FUNCTIONALITY

LINER ATTACHMENT SYSTEMS.

CLOSURE SYSTEM FUNCTIONALITY

ACCESSORIES FOR COMPLIANCE

CORRECT ASSEMBLY AND SIZE COMPATIBILITY OF SHELL, LINER, AND DRD (DRAG RESCUE DEVICE)

HELMET ELEMENTS SHALL BE INSPECTED FOR THE FOLLOWING

SOILING

CONTAMINATION

PHYSICALL DAMAGE TO THE SHELL SUCH AS THE FOLLOWING
CRACKS, DENTS, AND ABRASIONS
THERMAL DAMAGE TO THE SHELL (BUBBLING, SOFT SPOTS, WARPING, OR DISCOLORATION)
PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE EAR FLAPS SUCH AS THE FOLLOWING

RIPS, TEARS, AND CUTS

THERMAL DAMAGE (CHARRING, BURN HOLES, MELTING, OR DISCOLORATION OF ANY LAYER)

DAMAGED OR MISSING COMPONENTS OF THE SUSPENSION AND RETENTION SYSTEMS

FUNCTIONALITY OF SUSPENSION AND RETENTION SYSTEMS

DAMAGED OR MISSING COMPONENTS OF THE FACESHIELD / GOGGLE SYSTEM, INCLUDING DISCOLORATION OR SCRATCHES TO THE FACESHIELD / GOGGLE LENS LIMITING VISIBILITY

FUNCTIONALITY OF FACESHIELD / GOGGLE SYSTEM

DAMAGE TO THE IMPACT CAP

DAMAGED OR MISSING REFLECTIVE TRIM

ACCESSORIES FOR COMPLIANCE

LOSS OF SEAM INTEGRITY AND BROKEN OR MISSING STITCHES

FOOTWEAR ELEMENTS SHALL BE INSPECTED FOR THE FOLLOWING
SOILING

CONTAMINATION
PHYSICAL DAMAGE SUCH AS THE FOLLOWING - RIPS, TEARS, CUTS, THERMAL DAMAGE SUCH AS CUTS, TEARS, PUNCTURES, OR SPLITTING. THERMAL DAMAGE SUCH AS CHARRING, BURN HOLES, MELTING, OR DISCOLORATION OF ANY LAYER. EXPOSED OR DEFORMED STEEL TOE, STEEL MIDSOLE, OR SHANK. LOSS OF SEAM INTEGRITY, DELAMINATION, OR BROKEN OR MISSING STITCHES. LOSS OF WATER RESISTANCE, CLOSURE SYSTEM COMPONENT DAMAGE AND FUNCTIONALITY, EXCESSIVE TREAD WEAR, HEEL COUNTER FAILURE, ACCESSORIES FOR COMPLIANCE.