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PPE expiration
Just wondering my chief says all ppe has a 10 yr life span that after 10 yrs it needs replaced. This includes helmet , gloves, hoods, and boots. Thats suppose to be according to the nfpa1971 guide lines. I'm wondering because I'm considering purchasing a leather helmet. We are not a busy dept. fire wise. So a leather could be a waste of money if ya know what I mean. Any thoughts ?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Chris Moyer on
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But does that include helmet, boots...ect..
We are a small town dept approx 12-18 active ff . So money is a little tight and we use no taxpayer money all through fundraising and donations. I'm just trying to weigh the options of purchasing a leather helmet myself that I could possibly keep for more than 10 yrs. If ya know what I mean. I'm 41 and been in for 24 yrs there was a 5-10 yrs span which I wasnt very active. But would like a leather for the next 15-20 depending on use.
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Permalink Reply by Kevin Hatfield on
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If you take care of your leather helmet (don't crusty it up beyond normal use) it should out last your career and can almost be past down to your children ....
Our department issues a new set of gear every 5-7 years .... but our helmets last longer then that (although they are not leather)
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Permalink Reply by Jason Brooks on
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So they can sell more!
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Permalink Reply by Truckie Jay on
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Turnout gear should be replaced at a max of 10 years or two NFPA standards old. Reasons, well first technology is greatly improved. And secondly, turnout gear is like a new car, they loose appreciation as soon as they pull off the lot. Or in case of turnout gear they start degrading as soon as they come out of the box.
Hoods should be replaced once the fabric starts fraying significantly. Gloves need to be replaced once they become hardended even after washing from excessive buildup. Helmets on the other hand comes down to condition of the inner liner and exterior cover. Cracks, holes in the outer liner are good indicators it's time to replaced. Typically helmets will outlast all other parts of your PPE.
Leathers will outlast your career. To help with the cost of a leather try ebay.
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Permalink Reply by Capt.Jocelyn Chiasson on
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Just check with the manufacturer of the helmet that you want to purchase and ask them if the helmet is good for longer than ten years?
be safe!!
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Thanks Lt. I'll have to try that.
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For everybodys info I was just on MSA's website and it says
In most cases, Cairns Fire Helmets can be repaired and kept in service.
However, if a Cairns Fire Helmet has been too damaged to be repaired, it
must be taken out of service and replaced.
In addition to retirement of a fire helmet due to damage, NFPA 1851,
2008 Edition specifies that the fire helmet be retired 10 years after the
date of manufacture.
If parts have been replaced throughout the life of the helmet, it must be
retired when the oldest component reaches 10 years old.
The Cairns Fire Helmet Tracking Form should be used to keep track of the helmet’s
age and any repairs, and the helmet must be retired when 10 years is reached.
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Permalink Reply by joemac on
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This seems rather arbitrary, in my opinion. I was issued gear that had been sitting, unused, for five years. What about gear that is rarely worn? Surely, it can't be regarded the same as something that is worn every day, going into structures frequently that subject it to the threshold of extremes a few times a month.
Just sayin'...
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Permalink Reply by 55 TRUCK on
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Leather helmets are great. I know guys who've had theres since they came on the job. a good number of our guys with 35+yrs on still have there leathers..They do get a bit dark and banged up. But they last. Buy yourself a leather and pass it on to the next firefighter in your family.
As for gear, it does depend on wear and exposure. It should be inspected by your safty officer or someone designated by your department to do gear inspections.
Remember NFPA rules are written for the lowest common denominator.
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Permalink Reply by Jason on
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Sweat, heat, and the environment break down fibers and such. Whether or not I buy it, if its ten years old I toss it unless before then if worn. We as firefighters encounter way to much hazardous crap and subject our gear to it.
Our lives depend on the gear we wear and an outdated 3-5 hundred dollar helmet is not worth our safety.
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Permalink Reply by FETC on
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Thanks Chief yes I took the 1851 inspector and test class through Globe.
NFPA 1851 dictates the recommended retirement age of PPE. I state recommends, you see that depends on alot of factors like does your department want to follow the standard. Some departments simply will not be able to because of financial budgetary hardships. As much as everyone thinks they want to sell more product, it is because technology changes about every 10 years as well.
A 35 year old leather does not have the same safety features like thermal liner, ratchet and impact cap, etc. as a helmet of today. Therefore while that leather can and will within stand many good years of service (if taken care of) But here is my stance on that thought process, do you want your family's security and well-being protected by 35 year old technology? Hey go try an order a new car without the seat belt - safety features....
Gear that is hardly worn, will fail the liner mositure tests for many reasons unrelated to seeing fire. Example: improper sizing, and gear fit with turnout pants in the crotch area; the liners will rub just walking during training, fire alarms, MVA's and such. These liners are expected to have a half life to the shell's 10 year life itself in a busy department... in reality it is not to sell more product, it is for the department's that can afford to follow 1851, to have the best product on a firefighter's back when the thermal insult is trying to kill a brother.
Some people afford a lexus, others drive a yugo.
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Thanks FETC
My info I found was straight from the MSA/Cairns web site and I agree it should go for all gear. We have been reordering stuff as it expires. This past year we got 12 sets of Bristol gear, Shelby gloves
. My chief is looking into a grant to get new boots next.
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