A Guide To Cleaning Your Fire Helmet

Firefighters’ PPE regularly encounters debris, heat, and sometimes even disease. They’re one of the most important aspects of a firefighter’s uniform, designed to keep your head and eyes protected from the hazards on the scene of a fire. Because PPE is responsible for firefighter protection, it must stay clean. The National Fire Protection Association has even created code 1851 as a standard for proper PPE selection and maintenance. To make sure your heavy-duty fire helmet provides maximum safety and has a great lifespan, clean it by following this guide to cleaning your fire helmet.

Clean Before You Leave the Scene

Before tending to your dirty helmet, you must put on essential cleaning PPE—disposable gloves and eye protection goggles. These will prevent any dirty water or removed debris from harming your hands or eyes.

Then hose, brush, or wipe away obvious contaminants to reduce the number of particulates entering the fire truck or engine and, eventually, station. You’ll want to inspect while washing for any serious damage done to your helmet during your firefighting response.

Disassemble and Wash

Once you’re ready to scrub down the shell of your helmet, first remove any face shields, hardware, and soft goods. Using a soft sponge or cloth with a bucket of warm water and mild detergent, wipe down the shell.

Transport your soft goods with a mesh bag and run them through the laundry on low settings. You can wash hardware and eye protection with a soft brush and soap in your utility sink.

Reassess Your Helmet

Check your helmet for any cleaning discrepancies. If it’s not fully clean, repeat step two.

Drying and Storing Your Helmet

When it comes to drying your helmet, avoid placing it in direct sunlight and never machine dry it. Place it in a room with adequate ventilation to properly air dry your fire helmet.

Once it’s relatively dry, move your helmet to fire station helmet storage. The area should be dry, well-ventilated, and out of any light that may emit UV rays.

Keep Track of Your Cleaning

Your station should have a record-keeping system to log firefighter cleaning habits. After storing your helmet, update your fire department’s cleaning records.

Get the most out of your protective headgear by routinely following this guide to cleaning your fire helmet. After every rescue or tactical mission, give yourself a moment to spruce up the PPE that ensures your safety while you promote the health and safety of others.