Turnout Gear Lifespan

[PFDRes47cue 653]

Just curious as to how long interior turnout gear is allowed to be interior? For some reason 8 years sounds familiar, but I am not 100% sure there even is a set time. Thanks in advance for any input.

Edited April 22, 2010 by PFDRes47cue

[SRS131EMTFF 471]

NFPA 1851 answers all of your questions:

NFPA 1851: STANDARD ON SELECTION, CARE, AND MAINTENANCE OF PROTECTIVE ENSEMBLES FOR STRUCTURAL FIRE FIGHTING AND PROXIMITY FIRE FIGHTING

http://www.nfpa.org/aboutthecodes/AboutTheCodes.asp?DocNum=1851&cookie%5Ftest=1

[xfirefighter484x 234]

NFPA 1851 answers all of your questions:

NFPA 1851: STANDARD ON SELECTION, CARE, AND MAINTENANCE OF PROTECTIVE ENSEMBLES FOR STRUCTURAL FIRE FIGHTING AND PROXIMITY FIRE FIGHTING

http://www.nfpa.org/aboutthecodes/AboutTheCodes.asp?DocNum=1851&cookie%5Ftest=1

NFPA 1851, Chapter 10 - Retirement, Disposition, and Special Incident Procedure:

10.1 Retirement

10.1.2* Structural fire fighting ensembles and ensemble elements shall be retired in accordance with 10.2.1, no more than 10 years from the date the ensembles or ensemble elements were manufactured.

***Note: This, of course, is assuming the gear itself remains serviceable, and not damaged before the 10 years is up.

[PFDRes47cue 653]

Thank you both!!!

[Mac8146 61]

FDNY is 10 years on gear use color coded tags on front to depict issue year. As stated of course it depends on wear and other factors, gear is inspected during semi annual cleaning and removed if found to have defects and replaced.

[DCJPells 29]

This includes boots, helmets, gloves and hoods

[wraftery 1,275]

The lifespan of all firefighting equipment (PPV, ropes, apparatus, SCBA...everything) is ONE YEAR, calculated April to April.

That's when guys see the new stuff at FDIC and just have to get it.

[post4031 16]

The lifespan of all firefighting equipment (PPV, ropes, apparatus, SCBA...everything) is ONE YEAR, calculated April to April.

That's when guys see the new stuff at FDIC and just have to get it.

[PFDRes47cue 653]

The lifespan of all firefighting equipment (PPV, ropes, apparatus, SCBA...everything) is ONE YEAR, calculated April to April.

That's when guys see the new stuff at FDIC and just have to get it.

Oh good Im due for some new things then!

[SageVigiles 1,194]

You CAN use turnout gear after 10 years, if its still in good shape and inspected yearly after that. But at that point, its almost cheaper to buy new gear.

[JohnnyOV 2]

NFPA is a standard, not a regulation (aka requirement like federal OSHA Laws) so just because NFPA says so, doesn't mean you have to follow it. Should you, probably for the sake of being held liable, but its not something you HAVE to do.

Also Municipalities in NYS are not covered by OSHA, rather PESH which is for the public sector of employment, not private.

[wraftery 1,275]

If your Dept upgrades to new gear, and the old stuff is still viable, remember that there are plenty of poor rural FDs out there who could make good use of your old stuff.

[x635 4,066]

If your Dept upgrades to new gear, and the old stuff is still viable, remember that there are plenty of poor rural FDs out there who could make good use of your old stuff.

Excellent point!

Also, if the turnout gear is still useable if replaced before 10 years, it's always nice to have a set of back up gear if you have to send your turnouts out to be repaired, washed, etc.

[DCJPells 29]

Just remember Lairdsville!!!! A chief was convicted because of failure to follow NFPA (1403). The standards are starting to be used in court.

[Bnechis 3,961]

NFPA is a standard, not a regulation (aka requirement like federal OSHA Laws) so just because NFPA says so, doesn't mean you have to follow it. Should you, probably for the sake of being held liable, but its not something you HAVE to do.

OSHA uses many NFPA standards as the bases of the OSHA regs. In some cases they refer directly to NFPA (as directed by federal law).

Also the courts clearly use NFPA as "what would the prudent person due in the same situation".

Also Municipalities in NYS are not covered by OSHA, rather PESH which is for the public sector of employment, not private.

Federal OSHA Law requires states that set up its own OSHA program must enact all standards at an equal or greater level than the feds. In most cases NYS PESH enforces Fed OSHA regulations to the letter (including the same typos).

[SageVigiles 1,194]

NFPA is the industry standard, so you'd better have a damned good reason why you aren't following it when it comes time for court. Simply saying "its not mandatory" is not going to suffice, contrary to popular belief.