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Permalink Reply by douglas hudson on February 13, 2011 at 11:36pm

well not to sure about what the life span is on ppe but i know that the boots gloves and helmet dont expire that i do know. im from a vol fire dept and we just dont have the money to replace all of that if we did that we would be getting a grant every 10 years but i can look it up for you . and on the leather helmet i would nt

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Permalink Reply by Chris Moyer on February 14, 2011 at 12:19pm

Doug I'm in a volly dept also and we arent very busy but according to the MSA/ Cairns web site helmets should be replaced every 10 yrs.

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Permalink Reply by Rob Odenwald on February 14, 2011 at 4:54pm

I am in charge of purchasing new gear and gear replacement for our department. Now understand we are a career department and make PPE a priority for our FF's. Turnout gear is replaced every 5 years or as needed. Gloves are also replaced at this time. Boots and helmets are replaced every 10 years max. Much of our PPE is degredaded by ultrviolet rays and chemical exposure, also washing it. Gloves probably hold more chemicals and products of combustion than the rest of our PPE. Helmets are supposed to be replaced due to continued heat damage. That's something the individual might need to decide depending on how many calls you run. I suggest replacing hoods every couple years and wash them often. The problem is with the hoods that the soak up alot of smoke and soot and we pull them down around our necks close to our corotid atrery. Basicly if you can afford it, replace it on a regular schedule. Don't be cheap with your FF's health.

Good luck and keep safe.

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Permalink Reply by David Button on February 14, 2011 at 4:57pm

If your department allows you to purchase and use your own helmet, I say go on and buy the leather. Our department issues helmets and you have to turn it in if promoted to officer (swap black for white). When you retire, you turn in your current helmet so they can turn right around and present it to you. I wish I still had my firefighter helmet.

I bought a white leather-style helmet that I consider mine, despite having a department-issued helmet that I've worn twice. I can't seem to make adjustments to get the issued one comfortable. I'll turn that one in on retirement and don't care if I get it back because there's no sentimental attachment to it.

Even if you don't get much use or service life out of a leather helmet, you'll still have a personal reminder of your service to pass on to future generations. That scratch came from... That burn came from... I was wearing this helmet when... You get the idea. Hope this helps with the decision.

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Permalink Reply by Erik Wood on February 14, 2011 at 5:44pm

In addition to the NFPA guidelines for replacement....we also do a very detailed inspection of all gear used in a interior attack on a structure and replace as needed. We go through a lot of grass gear (the gear used the most) and rarely need to replace helmets before the required replacement date.

As part of our annual training we have each firefighter go through all equipment they carry on their person (equipment kept with their bunker gear) and their bunker gear two or three times a year. This is to make sure that all aspects of the gear fit properly.

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Permalink Reply by John Dobson on February 14, 2011 at 8:09pm

We only do a 125 runs a year, 80% medical but after about five years are gear has a few problems so its replaced. Now the old gear is handed to the new guys if they stay in a year they get new gear.

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Permalink Reply by Jim Zeigler on February 15, 2011 at 1:09pm

Yes, PPE can expire. Technology can be obsolete or the PPE can have hidden damage.

Take the helmet. It is intended to be protective, not just decorative. There are critical impact requirements on the helmet that have been included in the standard to protect fire firefighters from falling objects and tools. The shell and suspension system are both part of the protective system. Age, sunlight, chemical contamination and prior use all take their toll. Read NFPA 1981 and you will see that there are many critical requirements on certified equipment - many of which can not be measured outside the testing lab, but are still critical to the protective performance of the item.

The Technical Committee for Structural Firefighting Equipment put the “2-edition and out” requirement in the standard several editions ago. If you do not think that requirement is justified, log onto NFPA.ORG and send an alternative proposal to that technical committee. Yes, the requirement adds expense, which needs to be factored in the department’s equipment budget, but the reason is life protection.

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Permalink Reply by Bekks on February 15, 2011 at 1:18pm

We are getting some new PPE as their 10 year life cycle is up.

The salesman gave us a heads-up that NFPA is revising this to be 5 years - not 10.
Can anyone advise if this is what is actually happening?

It has HUGE financial implications for smaller and volly departments with limited funding.

Our government tends to adopt NFPA guidlines as legal standards so if this happens, it could become law where I am.

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