Fire-fighting PPE & C are a fire-fighter’s last line of defence. Fire-fighters face life threatening conditions and therefore need to be able to rely on their gear/PPE & C to keep them safe. As with all protective clothing, regular checks and maintenance must be conducted to ensure the gear is performing at its optimum. Being global leaders in safety wear, CHARNAUD® informs its client about the importance of inspecting PPE & C before and after use. Here are some of the things to look out for when inspecting your fire-fighting gear.

How Often Should Gear Be Inspected?

When it comes to being safe, too much is never enough, especially when it comes to ensuring the physical safety of the end-user. Fire-fighters are no different in this regard, and they know that the performance of their gear makes the difference between life and death in many instances. As a rule, fire-fighting gear should be inspected before and after each use, irrespective of the nature of the job or rescue that has been conducted. The same philosophy applies to new gear. Although all CHARNAUD® PPE & C is subjected to stringent quality controls, the end-user should always inspect their new gear for any irregularities. Inspection of new and used gear must include a thorough inspection of all garments and components including footwear, hoods, helmets and hand protection.

Now Read: Frontline Heroes: How Firefighting PPE Saves Lives

What Should You Look For When Inspecting Your Fire-Fighting Gear?

Damage to your gear can occur due to simple wear and tear or due to exposure to environmental factors and physical hazards. Not all damage is obvious upon first glance and that is why a thorough and careful inspection must be conducted.

  • Start with the surface of the garment and use your eyes and hands to identify any tears, holes or scuffing.
  • Ensure reflective areas on the garment are still reflective. This can be done by shining a torch on the reflective surface.
  • Stress and strength test the fabric of your garment. Your fire-fighting gear is developed to not only withstand exposure to high temperatures but also physical hazards. Over time exposure to environmental factors such as UV rays will cause garment degradation and will jeopardise the garment’s fabric strength. Due to this, you should ensure that the garment’s fabric is strong enough to withstand the force exerted upon it by a blunt object. If the force from the blunt object results in a tear or hole, that indicates that the fabric may have UV damage and is weakened.

What Should You Do If Your Gear Is Damaged?

Damage occurs because of exposure to environmental and physical hazards, and is not the same as a manufacturing fault. If damage is identified upon inspection of the garment, it may indicate that the garment needs to be replaced. Your CHARNAUD® agent possesses the expertise to advise you about when you should or shouldn’t replace your PPE & C.

Contact CHARNAUD® Today for Quality PPE and PPC

All PPE & C has a limited lifespan and improper care, and storage can hasten the degradation of garments unnecessarily. CHARNAUD® garments are developed and manufactured to provide improved longevity. Making the best investment means partnering with a provider like CHARNAUD® to ensure that your safety wear really does go the extra mile. Get in touch with us today to learn about how to get the best performance from your PPC + E.

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