LFA Chapter 5 Advanced Cleaning and Inspection - Structural Firefighting Helmets

ADVANCED CLEANING FOR STRUCTURAL FIRE HELMETS
This video was produced by LION TotalCare, dedicated to keeping you safer, longer.
Proper cleaning of structural helmets is essential to firefighter safety and health. Chemicals, smoke deposits and condensed residues can accumulate on helmets during emergency responses, fire suppression and overhaul operations. This can result in secondary exposure to cancer-causing chemicals through skin absorption and inhalation.
Helmets covered in hydrocarbons tend to absorb heat rather than reflect it, reducing the thermal protection.
This video provides manufacturer’s training for fire department personnel on the advanced cleaning of structural helmets.
There are three levels of cleaning:
1. Preliminary Exposure Reduction
2. Advanced Cleaning
3. and Specialized Cleaning
Preliminary Exposure Reduction is the light cleaning of helmets by the individual firefighter.
Decontamination is the removal of hazardous materials or bodily fluid. Contaminated helmets are removed from service until the contaminants or suspected contaminants are identified and elements can receive specialized cleaning to remove the specific contaminants.
Helmets contaminated by CBRN and terrorism agents must be retired after confirmed exposure. Do not attempt to clean or decontaminate. Follow local regulations for disposal.
Advanced cleaning is the thorough cleaning of helmets like careful washing of each individual part. It must be managed or performed by trained fire department personnel or a verified ISP. The helmet is removed from service during the advanced cleaning process.
NFPA 1851 requires helmets to receive an advanced cleaning every six months, with one advanced cleaning done at the time of their annual advanced inspection. Helmets should also be cleaned immediately if they meet your fire department’s definition of soiled.
Protect yourself from possible exposure to contaminants when cleaning the helmet or any PPE. Wear gloves and eye protection.
To clean your helmet, you’ll need a soft bristle brush, soft towels and a mild detergent such as LION StationCare. The detergent must have a pH range no less than 6.0 and no greater than 10.5.
A common flat head screwdriver, nut driver and LION headband removal tool may also be needed to remove some components.
When performing an advanced cleaning, the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions must be followed. Instructions are typically found on the helmets label and in documentation provided by the manufacturer.
If you don’t have manufacturer’s instructions, use NFPA 1851 guidelines. When performing cleaning and inspection of helmets, be careful not to pull off or damage labels or any other identifying marks.
Remove eye protection, chin strap, headband cover, ear neck protector and leather shield from your helmet. If the helmet’s headband and suspension assembly are removeable, remove them using either the LION headband removal tool or a common flat head screwdriver.
Fill a utility sink with warm water that does not exceed 105° Fahrenheit/40 degrees Celsius. Water hotter than this can cause scalding of the hands and may also damage some components of your helmet.
Helmets cannot be machine cleaned or dried using equipment that produces mechanical action by tumbling or agitation. Chlorine bleach, chlorinated solvents, active ingredient cleaning agents or solvents cannot be used without the helmet manufacturer’s approval.
Measure the cleaning solution according to the manufacturer’s instructions and add it to the water.
Advanced cleaning includes washing both the inside and outside surfaces of the helmet. It is usually not necessary to completely submerge a helmet for cleaning. Apply the detergent water solution to the outside of the helmet. Gently use a soft bristle brush to clean the outer shell of the helmet, retro-reflective material and the brim. Also, clean the inside of the helmet using the soft bristle brush. Make sure to scrub between components and in difficult to access spaces.
Rinse your helmet under running water.
Remove excess water with a clean towel, then hang the helmet to dry in a shaded area that receives good cross ventilation or use fans to recirculate air in the room. Dry all helmet components the same way.
To clean the chin strap and other strap type elements, undo all buckles and soak in the detergent water solution. Then, scrub thoroughly with a soft bristle brush.
Eye protection should also be gently washed in the detergent water solution using a soft towel. Thoroughly rinse and hang to dry.
To clean the headband and suspension assembly, soak it in the detergent water solution. Then, wash thoroughly using a soft bristle brush. Rinse off soiling and detergent under running water. Use a clean dry towel to remove excess water and hang to dry.