ARLINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
ISSUED: JANUARY 2001
RESOURCES
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
105.10
Personnel are responsible for cleaning and maintaining their issued protective clothing. Protective clothing
should be cleaned as soon as is practical after exposure to contaminants. This help prevent the
contaminants from penetrating the material and making it more difficult to clean later.
The following guidelines have been formulated to ensure maximum protection and use from protective
clothing:
BUNKERS
1.
For mild contamination, hand wash with cold or warm water and a mild liquid laundry detergent after
each use. Rinse and drip dry out of sunlight in a well-ventilated area. DO NOT MACHINE WASH OR
DRY IN A CONVENTIONAL WASHER OR DRYER.
2.
Avoid the use of chlorine bleaches or harsh detergents; they may remove chemical fire retardants from
the fabric.
3.
Do not store wet.
4.
Do not store in direct sunlight.
5.
Contact Resource Management for thorough cleaning. Resource Management will clean bunker gear if
heavily soiled, contaminated, or upon request. Additional extractors are located at Fire Stations #6, #11,
#15 and #16.
GLOVES
Hand wash with cold or warm water and a mild liquid laundry detergent. Rinse thoroughly and drip dry. DO
NOT MACHINE WASH OR DRY.
BOOTS
Wash exterior with cold or warm water and a mild detergent. Rinse thoroughly and air dry in a well-ventilated
area.
1.
Wash any contaminants off the leather, using soap, water and soft-bristle brush. Be sure to clean the
sole and between the lugs with soap, water and a stiff-bristle brush. After cleaning, towel dry the
outside. When dry, apply Kiwi black shoe polish. Do not apply Neatsfoot or mink oil as this will
soften the leather and degrade abrasion resistance.
2.
Regularly polish and clean the boots in order to nourish the leather and maintain their water
resistance. A silicone-based water repellent may also be applied periodically.
3.
Above all, read and follow the manufacturer’s recommendation on the care and maintenance of the
leather boots.
4.
To prevent contamination from incident to incident, the boots will have to be cleaned after each
incident in which they become contaminated.
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ARLINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
ISSUED: JANUARY 2001
RESOURCES
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
105.10
HELMETS
Wash with cold or warm water and a mild detergent: rinse and dry. Do not use abrasive cleansers, i.e., Ajax,
Comet, etc. If unable to clean helmet or face shield, contact Resource Management.
NOMEX UNIFORMS
Nomex uniforms can be dry cleaned or machine laundered and dried. The manufacturer recommends the
following procedures to ensure proper cleaning without the loss of protective features or color and shape:
1.
Pre-treat grease stains and collar/cuff lines with a product such as Spray 'N Wash or Shout. For
maximum fire protection, grease and oil should be thoroughly removed from Nomex uniforms after
wearing. If these procedures do not remove grease or oil, commercial laundering or dry cleaning is
recommended.
2.
Launder Nomex uniforms only with other Nomex garments to help avoid surface entrapment of
flammable lint and to minimize static in the tumbler dryer.
3.
Do not overload laundry equipment. Wash garments in hot water with a laundry detergent such as
Tide, Cheer, All or Whisk. When using laundry products, read and follow the manufacturer's
instructions carefully. Avoid using laundry detergents with bleaching agents, even when advertised
for use on colors.
4.
Washer and dryer added softeners/antistatics will help reduce nuisance static. However, if used
every washing, they build up in the fabric and reduce wickability (a comfort factor).
NOMEX HOODS
Hand wash with warm water and a mild liquid laundry detergent. Rinse thoroughly and drip dry. DO NOT
MACHINE DRY.
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