Why use Gear Cleaning Solutions Professional Cleaning Services?

Q. Can the ensembles or ensemble elements be effectively cleaned or decontaminated?

A. Yes, GCS has worked closely with major manufacturers and chemical companies to provide the highest quality procedures which meet NFPA 1851 guidelines.  At GCS we are the end user and every garment that goes through our facility gets the quality as if is was are own.

Q. Does GCS have references  for cleaning and/or decontamination of ensembles and ensemble elements?

A. Yes, GCS procedures are recognized by major manufacturers to meet and/or exceed minimum standard requirements. Feel free to request documentation from manufacturers as well as other references from GCS.

Q. Does GCS have liability insurance to clean protective clothing (i.e., for the repair or Q. replacement of ensembles and ensemble elements damage in laundry, from wash water contamination, etc.)?

A. Yes, GCS holds all the proper insurance and liability limits for a care and maintenance company.

Q. Does GCS take reasonable precautions to protect its personnel from contaminant exposure while handling ensembles and ensemble elements?

A. GCS team members are our most important asset, therefore safety is the number one priority of our company.  We provide and ensure all GCS team members have the proper knowledge, training and PPE to provide the safest work environment possible.

Q. Is GCS familiar with requirements of NFPA 1971 and NFPA 1851?

A. GCS, which regularly attends NFPA meetings, is a NFPA 1851 third party verified facility which meets and exceeds the recommendations and standards set forth by the above NFPA standards. GCS works closely with major manufacturers to ensure that the level of quality is maintained. 

Q. Does GCS have a quality assurance program?

A. Yes, GCS has a very thorough quality assurance program compliant with NFPA 1851 which is taught and reviewed with each team member on a regularly scheduled basis.

Q. What type of process does GCS use? Are Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) available?

A. GCS cleans gear using a process that meets and exceeds NFPA 1851 and is recognized by original equipment manufacturers. MSDS sheets are available for all chemicals used by GCS upon request.

Q. Does GCS take appropriate steps to prevent cross contamination between any and all products laundered in the facility?

A.  Yes, GCS designates "Clean" and "Dirty" areas within the facility.

Q. How does GCS demonstrate the effectiveness of the cleaning process?

A.  Please contact GCS for your free introductory cleaning which demonstrates the capabilities of your leading care and maintenance facility within the fire service.

Q. What testing or evaluation method(s) are used at GCS to ensure that decontaminated ensembles or ensemble elements are truly decontaminated and safe to wear?

A. GCS uses the soil transfer test which is the recommended NFPA 1851 method for identifying clean garments. The only proper way to test turnout gear for cleanliness is a destructive test called "mass spec." This test determines the level of toxins in the gear.  It is the only legitimate test for determining whether gear is clean or not.  However, in a mass spec test, the specific piece of gear is completely destroyed.  There is a second test called an effluent test.   It is a water-based test, but not all contaminants are water-soluble.  Your gear might be deemed clean, when, in fact, it is not.  While some might argue that this test might be better then nothing, we disagree.  Incomplete results give a false sense of security.

Q. Does GCS provide delivery and pick-up services for soiled and/or contaminated ensembles and ensemble elements?

A. Yes, GCS provides a pick up and delivery service within a 30 mile radius of our facility for minimum volume orders and contract routes.

Q. What is the turnaround time?

          

 A. We do everything possible to maintain a seven day turn around time for general non scheduled orders. Our seven days starts at the arrival or delivery of the ensembles to our facility. Turn around time is directly dependent on the extent of the repairs needed. For scheduled or contract orders we can guarantee a 48 hour turn around time.  In special cases, call us and we will make every effort to meet your needs.   

 

Why Clean Firefighting Protective Clothing?

• NFPA Specifications 1500, 1971, 1851
• NFPA 1500 5-1.5 Structural firefighting protective clothing shall be periodically cleaned at least annually, or as soon as it has been soiled or contaminated as specified in Section 7.3.3 of NFPA 1851
• Health Concerns - Absorption of harmful contaminants into body.
• Safety Concerns - Potential ignition of unburned fuels on outer shell during extreme heat situations.
• The growing concern for safety in the workplace and the recent revisions to NFPA 1500, 1971 and NFPA 1851 standards for protective clothing and equipment, along with the new OSHA Standards regarding infectious control programs has encouraged Gear Cleaning Solutions to develop this process for the protective garment industry.
• Recent medical studies have shown that firefighters exposed over a period of time to chemicals, toxins and carcinogens have a cancer rate twice that of the general population. This increased rate is due partly to these contaminants found in protective clothing being absorbed through the skin. As firemen and emergency personnel come into contact with the general public, the potential for biological contamination (HIV, Hepatitis B, etc.) is increasing each day. Proper disinfections and cleaning assures the gear is safe to wear and keeps them in service longer.
  
  In addition to the health concerns, the safety of today's firefighter may also be in jeopardy if hydrocarbons (unburned fuels) are not removed and allowed to build up on the surface of the outer shell. Over the past few years, there have been several documented cases where firefighters have been injured during extreme heat situations when heavy hydrocarbon buildups have ignited on the surface of the protective garments.
  

• Primary Reasons for Cleaning Turnout Gear - Reduces health risk by removing hazardous contaminants and breathable particulate. - Reduces safety risk by removing burnable residues. - Improves breath ability of protective envelope. - Reduces heat absorption. - Improves fire retardant qualities. - Reduces wear on fibers due to abrasion from contaminants. - Kills biological hazards. - Prolongs useful life of the gear.

Cost Savings Tips for Cleaning of Turnout Gear

Establish a Routine Cleaning Schedule
Remove contaminants and maintain gear performance integrity. Extends the useful life of your gear and delay scheduled purchases.

Develop Plan for Heavy Contamination or Hazardous Material Situations
Utilize the services of a full service professional cleaning and decontamination company. Improper decontamination and cleaning or neglect can cause both immediate and long-term damage to your gear, putting your Firefighters at an increased risk.

Develop Periodic Inspection and Gear Evaluation Program
Record preventative maintenance on gear similar to track maintenance. Identify garments, which should be replaced or scheduled for maintenance. Replace only that gear which needs replacement and minimize your replacement costs.

Considerations for Periodic Gear Replacement
Period should be a maximum of 10 years to keep up with technology. Evaluate older gear, clean and repair garments, which are cost effective.

Items Cleaned
• Turnout Coats & Pants	• Wildland Brush Gear	• Vests
• Aluminized Coats & Pants	• Station wear (shirts & pants)	• Gloves
• Military One Piece Ensembles (FFE)	• Boots (Rubber & Leather)	• Hoods
• Coveralls	• Helmets	See Our Pricing. ..