Although it is important to have FR gear replaced when necessary, it is also important that the gear be taken care of by the employee. This proper care involves washing and maintenance of any and all PPE equipment. When you know how to care for your FR clothes, then you will know how to maintain it for future use. The steps below are designed to guide your maintenance efforts so that you can always remain safe on the job by using FR clothing that will always be efficient when needed.
To ensure that your safety is in mind, take the following steps to ensure that your FR clothing is properly washed.
- Ensure that the wash cycle is set to normal. The normal FR clothing will be washed at more than 135 degrees with laundry detergent.
- Ensure that the garments are inside out to ensure preservation of the FR properties.
- Make sure that the washing is separate from regular clothing. This mix of clothing may decrease the treating of retardant used on the FR clothing.
- Make sure that the water is soft and free of calcium and magnesium. If these elements are in the wash, then they could easily ignite once they come in contact with flame.
- Avoid starch or softeners
- Avoid vinegar or bleach
- Allow the clothing to air dry
Although the above tips are great to have, it is a slo a good idea to check the garment tag and follow the instructions for washing and caring of the FR clothes.
Stain Removal
When you notice dirt stains, it is important to have the stains removed as quickly as possible by spot cleaning them. Do this by removing debris that is dry. You can then use a mix of soap and water to remove the dirt with a sponge and then dry with a cloth. Make sure to only gently rub.
Getting Rid of Oil Stains On FR Suits
When a suit obtains a stain from oil, it needs to be removed a soon as possible to avoid a flame from occurring. Scrub the stain with hot water and laundry detergent that is bleach-free. Scrub Avoid bleach and other harsh chemicals. If necessary, utilize dry cleaning to eliminate the oil stain. If the stains cannot be eliminated, then the suit should be replaced.
Fixing Damage To Ensure Integrity
If a hole in the FR clothing needs to be patched, the exact same material needs to be used as the original FR garment material. It is best to always consult the manufacturer so that all of the thread is exactly the same type as well.
To be safe, you are better off having the manufacturer make the garment repair. You may obtain a repair kit if you are comfortable repairing it yourself. However, when there is significant wear, then the amount of repair may not be sufficient and you will be better off replacing the FR clothing
Conclusion
Having fire resistant clothing is an important piece of equipment that requires safe handling and care. When you keep your clothing washed, it will continue to provide much needed protection. When you have doubts about the care of FR clothing, give us a call now and we´ll explain the importance in detail.
