The 2008 edition of NFPA 1851 presents challenges for all levels of the fire service intending to comply with the standard which became effective June 24, 2007. Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Structural Fire Fighting Protective Ensembles defines responsibilities for fire departments, manufacturers, and “Independent Service Providers”.
The Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) is unique in its program for firefighter safety and education. Other states have firefighter certification and safetyprograms, but Texas has legal authority over paid firefighters and a voluntary regulation program for volunteer fire departments. Six TCFP compliance officers stationed around Texas visit all regulated entities in the state once every two years. Miles “Skip” Skipper is the program manager for the compliance section of TCFP, following the recent retirement of Cy Long, who also served on the NFPA technical committees for PPE. The Texas compliance officers will be inspecting for these NFPA 1851 requirements summarized on their website www.tcpf.state.tx.us.
The Texas Commission officers will provide information and assistance with compliance until June 24, 2008. After that, departments failing to be in compliance will be cited with administrative penalties.
Fire Department Requirements instituted by NFPA 1851 (2008 edition)
• Remove from service and retire all structural gear that is over ten years old (from date of manufacture);
• Perform routine inspections of gear after each use;
• Get department “verified” by their protective clothing manufacturer to conduct advanced inspections of gear or contract an independent service provider (ISP);
• Conduct complete liner inspections involving separating the two layers after the third year of service and annually thereafter;
• Document the advanced inspections performed every 12 months or whenever routine inspections indicate a problem;
• Revise standard operating procedures to include selection, care, and maintenance activities addressed by NFPA 1851.
Garment Manufacturer Requirements
• Provide end users with instructions on the care, use, and maintenance of their protective garments (same as NFPA 1971) plus training on advanced cleaning;
• Train personnel in departments wanting to be “verified” to perform advanced inspection of clothing;
• Offer equipment, training, and verification to departments for conducting their own hydrostatic testing of the moisture barrier for complete liner inspections.
• Verify to end user that any proposed ISP is authorized to perform advanced repair on that manufacturer’s garment.
Independent Service Provider (ISP) Requirements
• Secure verification/authorization from the manufacturer of the garments for which the ISP is contracted to perform advanced inspection, advanced cleaning, or advanced repair
• If performing advanced repair, acquire independent, third-party verification by an organization accredited to certify PPE to NFPA standards. (e.g. Underwriters Labs).
Quest Enterprises will assist departments with Quest™ garments in service as they implement the programs to bring them into compliance.
