PROTECTIVE CLOTHING/EQUIPMENT

S.O.G. No.: 01-024

Revision: February 2007

Effective Date: Feb. 2004

1. PURPOSE

1.1 In the interest of department member’s health and safety, this document is established to provide and acquaint members with the policies and procedures for the wearing of protective clothing and equipment.

2. REFERENCES
   1. 2.1  Current edition of the National Fire Protection Association’s 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program.
   2. 2.2  Current edition of the National Fire Protection Association’s 1975, Standard for Station and work uniforms.
   3. 2.3  Current edition of the National Fire Protection Association’s 1971, Standard for Protective Clothing for Structural Fire Fighting.
   4. 2.4  Current edition of the National Fire Protection Association’s 1972, Standard for Helmets for Structural Fire Fighting.
   5. 2.5  Current edition of the National Fire Protection Association’s 1973, Standard for Gloves for Structural Fire Fighting.
   6. 2.6  Current edition of the National Fire Protection Association’s 1974, Standard for Protective Footwear for Structural Fire Fighting
   7. 2.7  Current edition of the National Fire Protection Association’s 1982, Standard on Personal Alert Safety Systems (PASS) for Fire Fighters.
   8. 2.8  Current edition of the National Fire Protection Association’s 1581, Standard on Fire Department Infection Control Program.
3. OSHA REQUIREMENTS

3.1 The department shall provide members with proper protective clothing and protective equipment in the accordance with OSHA 1910.132, 1910.135, 1910.136, 1910.137, 1910.1000, and 1910.1030.

4. REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

1. 4.1  NFPA 1971 Approved Protective Clothing for Structural Fire Fighting and NFPA 1976 Approved Protective Clothing for Proximity Fire Fighting. 4.1.1 Protective Coats 4.1.2 Protective Trousers 4.1.3 Protective Overalls 4.1.4 Protective Hoods
2. 4.2  NFPA 1972 Approved Helmets.
3. 4.3  NFPA 1973 Approved Gloves
4. 4.4  NFPA 1974 Approved Footwear
5. 4.5  NFPA 1982 Approved Personal Alert Safety System (PASS)
6. 4.6  NFPA 1999 Approved Protective Clothing for Emergency Medical Operations
   1. 4.6.1  Emergency medical gloves.
   2. 4.6.2  Emergency medical face protection devices.

5. PROCEDURE

5.1 Members will be provided with the appropriate protective clothing and protective equipment to provide protection from the hazards to which the member is or is likely to be exposed. Members are responsible for the safe keeping of protective clothing and equipment.

• 5.1.1  The protective clothing and protective equipment will be suitable for the task that the member is expected to perform.
• 5.1.2  Full protective clothing shall be worn at all times when operating on the fireground and rescue situations.
  • 5.1.2.1 The above statement may be optional for drivers and command personnel, where appropriate.
  • 5.1.2.2 Pump operators should wear a minimum of helmet, gloves and turnout coat & boots (or steel toe equivalent) during pumping operations and connection and/or disconnection of hose and appliances, and the removal of hose, tools and equipment from the apparatus.
  • 5.1.2.3 Command may use discretion to regulate this guideline in those situations where exemptions appear necessary.
  • 5.1.2.4 Members will not cause delay in any emergency operation by not being fully prepared to engage in firefighting and/or rescue activities in a safe manner.

• 5.2  Members will be fully trained in the care, use, inspection, maintenance, and limitations of the protective clothing and protective equipment assigned to them or available for their use.
  • 5.2.1  Members will be trained in the proper use of protective clothing and protective equipment during structural fire fighting operations, i.e., structural, proximity and/or rescue operations.
  • 5.2.2  Members who engage in fire fighting operations will be trained and aware of the flammability and thermal stability characteristics of various types of fabrics used in clothing.
• 5.3  Properly fitting protective clothing is important for the safety of the member and all protective clothing will be correctly sized to allow for freedom of movement.

NOTE: The member should advise a superior officer if an improper fit has developed.

• 5.3.1 There should be at least a 2-inch (5.08-cm) overlap of all layers of the protective coat and protective trousers so there is no gapping of the total thermal protection when the garments are worn. The minimum overlap should be determined by measuring the garment of the wearer, without SCBA, in both of the following positions:
  • Position A: Standing, hands together reaching overhead as high as possible.
  • Position B: Standing, hands together reaching overhead, with body bent forward, to the side, and to the back as much as possible.

• 5.4  Members who engage in or are exposed to the hazards of fire fighting, i.e., structural and/or proximity will be provided with helmets, gloves, boots, and hoods that meet the applicable requirements of NFPA 1971.
  • 5.4.1  Members who engage in fire fighting operations, should avoid wearing clothing under protective garments that is considered unsafe due to poor stability, or poor flame resistant characteristics, and that could in itself cause injury to the fire fighter despite the appropriate protective garments worn over such clothing.
  • 5.4.2  Members that purchase their own protective clothing or equipment, or equipment supplied by another agency shall only be allowed to use it, if it meets the standards set forth in these guidelines.
• 5.5  Cleaning of protective equipment will be provided by the department. Washer/Dryer are housed at Station 2, Wakefield Fire Department. The member should advise a superior officer of any torn, ripped, and/or damaged protective equipment.
  • 5.5.1 Structural fire fighting protective clothing will be periodically cleaned at least every 6 months as specified in Section 5-4 of NFPA 1581.

• 5.6  SCBA shall meet the applicable requirements set forth in the procedures for SCBA.
  1. 5.6.1  When SCBA is worn over or outside the proximity protective garments, the fire department shall require additional approved radiant reflective criteria, including but not limited to a protective cover.
  2. 5.6.2  Members engaged in fire fighting or rescue operations will be required to wear all protective clothing, including SCBA.
• 5.7  Members protective clothing and protective equipment will be used and maintained in accordance with the manufacture’s instructions. 27 – 4
  UNION FIRE DISTRICT PROTECTIVE CLOTHING & EQUIPMENT STANDARD

• 5.8  Members involved with rescue, fire suppression, and other hazardous duties will be provided with a Personal Alert Safety System (PASS) device which meets the requirements of NFPA 1982.
  1. 5.8.1  Members will be trained on the use, maintenance, and testing of PASS devices.
  2. 5.8.2  Members in hazardous areas shall wear and arm PASS devices.
     1. 5.8.2.1  Members will be responsible for the proper maintenance of PASS devices issued by the department and/or squad.
     2. 5.8.2.2  Members will be responsible for the testing of PASS devices in accordance with department standards or at least weekly, and prior to each use.
     3. 5.8.2.3  A defected PASS device shall be reported to the superior officer immediately.
• 5.9  Members that perform emergency medical care or are otherwise likely to be exposed to blood or other body fluids will be provided the proper protective garments, gloves, and face protection that meet the applicable requirements of NFPA 1999.
  1. 5.9.1  Members will be trained in the proper use of emergency medical equipment applicable to the district.
  2. 5.9.2  Members will wear emergency medical gloves when providing emergency medical care.
  3. 5.9.3  Members will use emergency medical garments and emergency medical face protection devices prior to any patient care.
  4. 5.9.4  All contaminated emergency medical garments, devices, and gloves will be cleaned and disinfected or disposed of in accordance with NFPA 1581.