Ok all you fireand ems people i need your help i need to find out if there is a experation date on firefighter helmates and if so how many years i have been told that it is 10 years but can not find it anywhere if ya can help that would be great help to me and my fire company. Thanks to all of you out there and keep safe we are a family no matter where we live and when one of us gets hurt or worse we all feel it .
Check with the manufacturer. I too have heard about helmets having a 'use by' date.I would think it depends on the construction method. Leather? PLastic? Fibreglass? Kevlar? (Kevlar is adversely affected by UV.)
Hitting helmets with a hammer is a sure way to compromise their integrity. But all that's really needed is to drop them on concrete. Look after them or they can't look after you.
Try the latest edition of NFPA 1971 Standard on Protective Ensemble For Structural Fire Fighting. There is a 10 yr life on PPE after which it is to be removed from service. I'm not sure if helmets also fall under this, but it's a good place to start. You could also try NFPA 1851 Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Structural Fire Fighting Protective Ensembles. Hope this helps.
BINGO! This is what the manufacturers have been stirring up lately. They are trying to get you to replace your lid every ten years along with the rest of your gear. This will surely make leather helmets go obsolete in the future. Most departments are smart enough to use this with common sense. Turnouts need to be replaced at regular intervals due to material degredation. Most helmets will last a career if taken care of.