As firefighters become more aware of the dangers of fire contaminants on gear, cleaning has become more important than ever.  

For departments looking to expand their NFPA 1851 program (or aren’t even sure what NFPA 1851 is), there are a lot of cleaning methods out there. But which ones do you use when?  

In this article, we’ll cover cleaning services offered by Gear Wash. It’s important to know that no solution is “one-size-fits-all.” While new solutions like CO2 cleaning are exciting, they are often best used in combination with other solutions.  

We'll cover:

1. Extractor Cleaning
2. Ultrasonic Cleaning
3. Ozone Cleaning
4. Soak Tanks
5. CO2 Cleaning

Per NFPA 1851, methods are separated into “advanced cleaning” and “specialized cleaning,” depending on a variety of factors. Documented training is required if you have the necessary equipment to perform in-house cleaning. When in doubt, consult a verified Independent Service Provider (ISP) like Gear Wash to ensure qualified experts are handling and cleaning your gear. 

Our experts have the knowledge to make sure that your gear is cleaned to NFPA 1851 standards and beyond. Contact us today to help keep your gear in fighting shape!  

What Clean Fire Gear Means 

Before we dig into the different cleaning methods available to the fire service, it’s important to discuss what cleaning gear means.  

Your turnouts, helmets, boots, gloves, and SCBA routinely come into contact with thousands of potentially harmful contaminants.  

NFPA 1851 defines just a portion of these contaminants, based on research into what contaminants are most common and dangerous.  

These contaminants generally fall into three categories: biological, heavy metals and what are known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs).  

Heavy metals are found in a number of sources, most commonly in electronics.  

Tested heavy metals include: 

1. Antimony​ 
2. Arsenic​ 
3. Cadmium ​ 
4. Chromium ​ 
5. Cobalt​ 
6. Lead 

VOCs are found in dozens of different products, often in plastics and construction materials. 

Tested VOCs include:​ 

1. Acenaphthene (dyes, plastics, pharmaceuticals)​ 
2. Anthracene Diethyl phthalate (plastics)​ 
3. Di-n-octyl phthalate (plastics)​ 
4. Fluorene (dyes, plastics)​ 
5. Phenanthrene (dyes, plastics)​ 
6. Pyrene (plastics)​ 
7. 2-Nitrophenol (dyes)​ 
8. Phenol (construction materials)​ 
9. 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol (glue, wood, leather)​ 

A verified cleaner or ISP is required to prove that they can reduce these contaminants to a defined level.  

To test this, an independent laboratory (like UL or Intertek) will provide a sample of contaminants that are then placed on a swatch of fabric. After cleaning, that spot is tested for those contaminants to determine how much the cleaning reduced them.  

An organization should have documentation around testing and verification and will be able to provide that verification on request.  

Extractor Cleaning 

Extractors are the closest thing to conventional washing machines. Unlike washing machines, they provide the user a lot more control and are much less likely to damage gear because they can be dialed in to manufacturer specifications.  

Per NFPA 1851, extractors provide Advanced Cleaning and require training to use properly. Without it, gear is likely to be damaged or not be cleaned.  

Extractors are usually programmable. That means you can dial in the temperature, G-force, and other factors to make sure gear is cleaned appropriately. Extractors use water to clean.  

Programs really depend on the type of gear being washed and the contamination of the gear. Specialized detergents are also used and must be used correctly to avoid damage.   

Strengths of Extractor Cleaning 

Extractors excel at removing construction debris and surface contamination. That means that extractors are very much the workhorse of any gear cleaning program, as they are effective at cleaning what you come into contact with most.  

That’s also why many other cleaning methods start with using the extractor first. For example, CO2 (more on this later) machines can be overloaded by construction debris, so it is generally washed with an extractor before being cleaned with CO2.  

Extractors are also adaptable. Different programs and detergents can make a large difference in how clean gear comes out, meaning that an expert can make tweaks to provide better cleaning. 

Limitations of Extractor Cleaning 

The biggest disadvantage of extractors are that incorrect settings can damage gear. Water can be too hot. Gear can be subjected to higher-than-necessary forces. Underloading or overloading the extractor can also affect how much (or how little) contamination is removed. 

Ultrasonic Cleaning 

Ultrasonic cleaning is similar to a soak tank (more on that later). Unlike a soak tank however, it uses vibrations to agitate the water and clean gear. The water is heated to a specific temperature and other cleaning solutions may be added to enhance the cleaning process. 

Ultrasonic cleaning can be considered Advanced Cleaning per NFPA 1851.  

Benefits of Ultrasonic Cleaning 

Ultrasonic machines specialize in cleaning accessories, especially SCBAs, helmets, and boots.  

The technology gently gets into nooks and crannies of accessories without damaging them, effectively loosening debris and other contaminants.  

Limitations of Ultrasonic Cleaning 

Accessories that are cleaned using ultrasonic technology usually have to be wiped down after.  

Ozone Cleaning 

Ozone is a special cleaning additive for laundry. Ozone (O3) is created by passing electricity through oxygen atoms (O2). That creates a molecule that is excellent at oxidation. Ozone cleaning is generally combined with an extractor to provide a deeper level of cleaning compared to an extractor alone.  

Oxidation happens because the extra oxygen molecule in ozone is easily passed to bacteria or other sources, returning ozone to oxygen and oxidizing a foreign substance.  

Ozone cleaning is a form of Specialized Cleaning per NFPA 1851.  

Benefits of Ozone Cleaning 

Because it is an excellent oxidizer, ozone is very good at biological sanitization and also reducing organic compounds.  

In particular, ozone is useful to reduce levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). These are created during many fires (e.g., burning coal, wood, petroleum, tires, trash, polystyrene) and can cause significant health problems, including cancer.  

Limitations of Ozone Cleaning 

Ozone reacts strongly with a chemical known as D-limeonene. D-limeonene is commonly found in many citrus oils in nature and is often used in detergents and dyes. Be aware of what detergents are used (if the detergent smells like oranges, chances are it has D-limeonene in it). 

The reaction between the two creates a byproduct that can be irritating or even harmful to breathe, so care must be taken during use. 

Soak Tanks 

Soak tanks are perhaps the simplest technology used in cleaning. They are long tanks filled with a solution where gear can be placed for hours or even days at a time.  

They are classified as Specialized Cleaning per NFPA 1851 and often used for the toughest jobs.  

Benefits of Soak Tanks 

Soak tanks excel at reducing any kind of petroleum and heavy hydrocarbon contamination. Both are common contaminants and difficult to remove from gear.  

Limitations of Soak Tanks 

To achieve full results, soak tanks require a long process—often hours or days. This means that gear is out of commission for longer.  

Gear also needs to be rinsed off in an extractor after use. The soak tank is good at loosening contaminants, but extra rinsing is required to clean the gear.  

CO2 Cleaning 

Carbon dioxide (CO2) cleaning is a relatively new technology that has been making waves around the fire industry. Often touted as a miracle cleaning method, this technology can be utilized for both Advanced Cleaning and Specialized Cleaning per NFPA 1851.  

Machines use liquid CO2, which must be held under extreme pressure to clean gear. Working in much the same way as an extractor, CO2 machines wash gear in CO2 instead of water. This offers several advantages, especially that gear doesn’t need to be dried because the liquid CO2 simply returns to a gas after cleaning.  

This process can also result in deeper cleaning than other methods, but only in certain circumstances. It is important to understand the benefits and limitations of this technology and understand that it is a new tool in your arsenal, not a replacement for every other method.  

Benefits of CO2 Cleaning 

CO2 excels at cleaning fuel and tar, as well as what are known as VOCs. These are common and potentially dangerous contaminants. 

Compared to soak tank, CO2 is faster and more reliable at cleaning diesel spills. It is also more gentle on your gear than soak tanks, which may rely on harsh solutions (depending on the type of spill).  

Limitations of CO2 Cleaning 

The main weakness of CO2 cleaning is that it cannot handle construction debris. That means that gear must generally be first washed with an extractor. The CO2 machine also can’t handle wet or damp gear, meaning that gear must also be dried (either from water from the extractor or from the fireground itself).  

CO2 cleaning is also less effective at reducing heavy metals compared to other cleaning methods.  

One Cleaning Method Doesn’t Fit All 

As you can see, no cleaning solution is one-size-fits-all. Instead, a combination of methods must be used to ensure that everything from your boots to your helmet and everything in between is properly cleaned.  

By combining methods and matching the right tool with the specific contaminant and piece of gear, your firefighting gear will be better protected—and so will you.  

For departments looking to learn more about these solutions and other NFPA 1851 best practices, Gear Wash is proud to offer classes to train your department. For cleaning your gear, trust our experts to use the latest technologies in a way that makes most sense for your individual department’s needs.  

Every fire is different and every department is different, and our team is ready to personalize a gear cleaning, inspection, and repair plan that makes sense for you.