The Social Network & Community JUST for Firefighters
Manufacturer's permission when adding accessories to turnout gear or helmet
Does anyone know where to gain a link or a website where you can find a permission letter from a specific manufacturer to add a flashlight or other accessory to their gear? I was recently explained by the State Commission that that we needed these letters in order to be compliant with the manufacturer specs in the event of an accident. The way it was explained to me by the compliance inspector was that It was considered an alteration to the original equipment, and in the event of an accident where equipment failure may be to blame... In order to uphold the original specs from the manufacturer, we needed an permission letter to attach anything non-original to the equipment. If not, the manufacturer can release all liability from themselves in the event of equipment failure. Help????
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on
-
Have the equipment attached to the PPE when its manufactured then there isnt an issue with this latter. You can spec this. Yes, if you alter or poke holes in the material in any way you are compromising it and thus would change their liability. Never seen such a letter or form.
-
Permalink Reply by rfdjumper on
-
That sounds like a crock of dookie to me but if that's what your department needs to do business then so be it.
-
Permalink Reply by DUST on
-
I don't see any manufacturer giving you permission, especially in writing, to attach anything to their equipment unless it is already designed to hold something. I'm sure if you look at the guidelines/warranty/user's manual etc. some lawyer has already stated something in writing that they are not liable when you alter, add, take away etc. from their gear/equipment. What did the State Commission pop in the fire house and ask about somebody's helmet flashlight or something?
-
Permalink Reply by Chris Smith on
-
yup, that's exactally what happened. "My gear" to be exact. I pride myself on being pretty squared away for the most part.... So I thought, "hey... who's gear better than mine to show the compliance inspector from the commission. I know it is in order, and to top it off, had been recently cleaned in the last 24 hrs." He blindsided me... questioned my 4AA streamlight which is attached to my helmet with the official streamlight helmet band. Also he questioned my Streamlight Survivor flashlight on my coat. I kinda felt beside myself. Was he gonna question my gear keeper and my glove lanyard as well? ( suprisingly no) I too had never heard of such a thing. However... I spoke to several folks at the commission regarding this, and it's apparently lagit. So I reach out to my fellow bros out there who may have more knowledge on it than me, and ask the pending question.....
-
-
Nope. No citations..No warnings... Wasnt even really a jerk about it... He explained that he was just giving us an FYI for future visits as well as a heads up if anything were to tragically happen regarding gear failures as it pertains to On the Job Injuries (or God forbid... Death).
As far as Federal compliance..... We are not an OSHA governed state in Texas as far as Municipal Fire Depts, nor are we an NFPA governed state. We comply with NFPA, as well as most OSHA reccomendations, but the Texas Commission on Fire Protection is the agency that shakes its iron fist here in Texas as far as Paid Fire Departments go.
-
-
Just thought it to be strange... never heard about it before... wondered if anyone had come across it besides me. So I wanted to reach out and ask.... if so... how did you resolve it?
-
Permalink Reply by MItch on
-
Fed OSHA applies to every state. It is the fallback if your state doesn't have its own OSHA program. OSHA uses NFPA as an industry best practice, in essence making it enforceable and fire depts. liable in the event of an injury or death due to a PPE problem. To reduce the liability we need to send a written request as well as a drawing of the alteration to the manufacturer who will send us an approval to keep on file. In order to make these alterations it either needs to be sent to a verified ISP (Independent Service Provider) or the dept. member making the alterations needs to be NFPA 1851 certified. I believe this only applies to permanent alterations i.e. an alteration that is stitched on the ensemble shell or screwed into a helmet. I would have to double check that in NFPA 1971 however so don't quote me. All of this material is covered in the 1851 Training.
© 2024 Created by Firefighter Nation WebChief.
Powered by
