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Firefighters’ PPE equipment extends well beyond their own personal protection. Reliable first response equipment is also indispensable for those who depend on search and rescue functions. While assembling the ideal fire fighting rescue kit is important, equal care should be taken to maintain the equipment between operations.
Annual Inspections
No matter how well constructed your firefighters' PPE equipment is, fire brigade employers are obligated to inspect and maintain all firefighting equipment at least once per year. OSHA 1910.156(d) makes this a federal requirement, along with the removal and replacement of damaged or unserviceable equipment.
Implementing a culture of ongoing equipment care at your fire department is an effective way to extend the service life of your PPE and other essential tools. It can also help detect signs of costly issues far earlier than annual inspections would allow.
Making Basic Equipment Care a Habit
To maximize firefighting PPE and tools, encourage performing the following routine maintenance tasks whenever possible:
- Dry-brushing dust, soot, and other particulates from gear
- Rinsing water-resistant gear, then drying hand or air-drying out of direct sunlight
- Organizing and storing equipment properly for safekeeping and easy access
These and other basic maintenance tasks also serve an important secondary function. As you remind your firefighters to ingrain these simple habits, they'll also naturally begin noticing signs of disrepair and take an active role in extending the service life of their equipment.
Inspecting Equipment Throughout the Year
Simple cleaning and storage habits go a long way to determining when firefighters' PPE equipment requires more thorough maintenance. Even without overt signs of equipment dysfunction, it's important to periodically take time to perform deep cleanings, up to and including testing procedures, in some cases.
Far from mere aesthetic concerns, allowing dirt, grime, and soot to penetrate deep into specialty firefighting fabrics can reduce their effectiveness. Basic wear and tear can also inhibit the efficacy of fire-resistant gear, which must meet these standards:
- Outer shells must withstand a minimum of 8 lb-force (35.6 N) tearing strength, in any direction, according to OSHA 1910.156 appendix E testing standards
- The outer shells also cannot separate in forced air laboratory ovens set at 500° F (260° C) for five minutes (per 1910.156[e][3][ii][B] and appendix E)
- The same testing standards set a maximum char length of 4 in. (10.2 cm)
- Gloves should be free of penetrations, as described in 1910.156(e)(4)
- Glove wristlets, if used without fire-resistive coats with wrist coverings, should remain at least 4 in. (10.2 cm) past the wrists when arms are extended up and away from the body
- Head protection ear flaps and chin straps should completely be free of damage, to maintain a tight fit
- Footwear must have anti-slip soles and be water-resistant at least 5 in. (12.7 cm) above the bottom heel, per 1910.156(e)(2)(ii)
- 1910.156(e)(2)(iii) further requires footwear to resist midsole penetration by common size 8D nails applied with 300 lb (1,330 N) of static force
- Footwear must also conform to the general standards for foot protection in OSHA 1910.136
- Check fall protection harnesses for any fraying, loose stitching, or questionable attachment points
While the full gamut of maintaining each firefighter's PPE equipment is ultimately the responsibility of the employer, maximum protection comes from making it a shared responsibility.
By implementing regular cleaning and inspection practices, you'll more effectively keep your fire brigade – and those who depend on them – safe. Employers can help by regularly consulting their OSHA or CCOHS regulations and procuring more easily digestible first-responder PPE resources for staff to reference between operations.
Fire Fighting Rescue Kit Device Maintenance
Contrary to firefighter PPE, critical search and rescue tools should only be deep-cleaned and serviced by qualified professionals.
For example, portable griphoists (aka come-alongs) must be corrosion-free to maintain failsafe operation under enormous loads. While the most reliable portable hoists are built from corrosion-resistant materials, it's still important to treat them for both maximum lifespan and reliability.
For specialized industries, OSHA regulations often require heeding the maintenance recommendations of the device manufacturers themselves. This often involves functions including:
- Cleaning wire ropes/cables with specialty solvents
- Inspecting cables, and replacing those with frayed wires
- Clearing debris from gears and pulley mechanisms
- Treating and lubricating joints, bearings, and other parts that undergo regular wear
Beyond servicing requirements, it's important to retain a set of backup devices and components (e.g., shear pins, wire ropes, and safety hooks). If equipment in your fire fighting rescue kit falls into disrepair, responders still need to be able to complete a mission.
Mitigating Long-Term Maintenance Issues from the Beginning
First responders know better than anyone the importance of preventing hazards, thinking that applies to selecting gear as well. When buying first-response equipment, focus on a device's reliability, and choose products with lower maintenance requirements.
Fall protection harnesses, for example, should feature robust build quality and usability features that reduce the chance of damage and rough handling. That's especially important given the increased expense of flame-retardant materials (such as Kevlar) for professional-range harnesses built for firefighting applications.
While the following design considerations won't replace the need for annual service inspections, they can dramatically reduce maintenance and repair needs while enhancing safety during active emergencies:
- Redundant cross-stitching patterns
- Lanyard retainers and minimal loose straps, to minimize risks of catching on materials
- Smooth, ergonomic side-positioned D-rings, which prevent strap friction
- Extremely easy adjustability, for true one-size-fits-all design
- Quick-connect legs, to prevent hard tugging and otherwise struggling with the harness when time is short
- Comfortable back and shoulder pads, to reduce wear on other valuable firefighting PPE
Hoisting equipment should also be of robust construction and designed for streamlined operability, even under sudden load shifts and other hard operating conditions. There are numerous design functions that all play a role in a griphoist's long-term performance, which you can learn more about by consulting with an experienced fall protection manufacturing specialist, based on your fire brigade's exact operational needs.
Reducing Maintenance and Safety Risks at the Most Critical Moments
Along with our extensive history designing and manufacturing world-class fall protection equipment, Tractel specializes in ultra-high-grade rescue equipment like fall protection harnesses, hoists, and more for firefighters and other first responders.
When public safety is on the line, you can't rely on second-rate emergency equipment. Contact us using the form in the upper-right corner, and discuss how you can assemble the most reliable, high-performance fire fighting rescue kit.