NFPA 1850 and Firefighter PPE Cleaning: What Departments Need to Know
A firefighter’s protective equipment needs more than a washer and a calendar reminder. It needs a care program that accounts for cleaning, inspection, maintenance, manufacturer instructions, and the requirements that apply to the equipment.
For fire chiefs and personal protective equipment (PPE) officers, the National Fire Protection Association’s NFPA 1850 standard is an important reference in that process. But standards change, and older guidance may not reflect the current edition.
Understanding which standard applies, where to find the official requirements, and how to incorporate them into department procedures helps keep equipment-care decisions consistent and informed.
This article provides an overview of NFPA 1850 and its relevance to firefighter PPE cleaning. It is not a substitute for the standard itself, a department’s equipment instructions, or qualified technical advice.
What is NFPA 1850?
NFPA 1850 is the Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural and Proximity Firefighting and Open-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).
The standard addresses the selection, care, and maintenance of covered protective ensembles and breathing apparatus. For departments, it is part of the framework used to establish procedures for keeping equipment appropriately maintained and ready for use.
The relevant requirements depend on the equipment, the edition being applied, and the specific activity being performed. Departments should consult the official standard rather than rely on a summary to make clause-level compliance decisions.
Start with the official source: NFPA 1850 and current standards information.
Why does the current edition matter?
NFPA standards are revised over time. A department that relies exclusively on an older document may miss changes to the standard’s structure, terminology, or requirements.
NFPA 1850 consolidates the previous NFPA 1851 and NFPA 1852 standards, which addressed structural and proximity firefighting protective ensembles and open-circuit self-contained breathing apparatus, respectively.
That consolidation is important when reviewing older policies, training materials, service agreements, or references to specific requirements. A document that cites an earlier standard may need review to determine how it relates to the current edition.
What about NFPA 1851 and the familiar six-month interval?
The 2020 edition of NFPA 1851 included an advanced-cleaning interval of at least every six months for issued structural firefighting ensembles.
That historical requirement is often referenced in discussions about routine PPE care. However, departments should not automatically treat the older interval as a complete statement of the current NFPA 1850 requirements.
The appropriate schedule should be verified against the applicable edition, equipment manufacturer instructions, and the department’s written procedures. Where interpretation is necessary, consult the official standard or a qualified PPE professional.
This article does not provide a clause-by-clause interpretation of NFPA 1850.
What should departments review in their PPE-care program?
A standards review is an opportunity to examine the entire equipment-care process, not just the frequency of washing.
1. Equipment and manufacturer instructions
Identify the protective ensembles and breathing apparatus used by the department. Review the care instructions applicable to each type of equipment and determine who is responsible for keeping those instructions current.
Different garments and components may have different cleaning, inspection, and maintenance considerations. Do not assume one procedure applies to every item.
2. Written cleaning procedures
Review how the department handles routine cleaning and contamination following an incident.
Procedures should explain what personnel are expected to do, who arranges service, and how cleaning is documented. They should also address how contaminated gear is handled and transported before it reaches the cleaning facility.
3. Inspection and maintenance
Cleaning is only one part of PPE care. Departments also need procedures for applicable inspections, repairs, maintenance, and decisions about equipment readiness.
A completed cleaning cycle does not automatically establish that equipment is ready for service. Required inspections and other maintenance steps still matter.
4. Records and accountability
A consistent recordkeeping process helps PPE officers track equipment history and identify gaps in the department’s procedures.
Records may include cleaning dates, service providers, inspection findings, repairs, and other required maintenance. The specific records needed should reflect applicable requirements and department procedures.
5. Staff training
Even a well-written policy depends on personnel understanding how to follow it.
Make sure firefighters know how to handle contaminated gear, report equipment concerns, and follow the department’s cleaning procedures. Supervisors and PPE officers should understand their respective responsibilities for documentation and follow-through.
Does NFPA 1850 require a specific cleaning technology?
Departments should not assume that a technology’s name establishes compliance with NFPA 1850.
Whether a particular cleaning method or piece of equipment is appropriate depends on the applicable requirements, the protective equipment involved, the manufacturer’s instructions, and the process being used.
Routine washing remains an essential part of PPE care. Advanced decontamination, including liquid carbon dioxide (CO₂) processes, may provide an additional option for departments to evaluate.
When considering an alternative process, ask the provider:
- What equipment and treatment process are used?
- What relevant performance testing is available?
- Which contaminants were evaluated?
- Does the process meet the applicable requirements for the equipment being treated?
- What inspection, maintenance, and documentation steps are still required?
The answers should be supported by the relevant standard, manufacturer guidance, and technical evidence. A provider’s description of a process is not, by itself, proof of compliance.
What if a department wants to go beyond routine washing?
Some departments may determine that advanced decontamination deserves consideration based on their exposure profile, equipment, or assessment of available cleaning options.
Liquid CO₂ decontamination uses pressurized liquid carbon dioxide as a specialized cleaning medium. Its performance depends on the specific equipment, process, and contaminants being evaluated.
Departments should examine evidence tied to the particular system rather than assume all CO₂ technologies deliver identical results. They should also verify how the proposed service fits within their overall PPE-care program.
For more detail, see Traditional Washing vs. Liquid CO₂ Decontamination for Firefighter Gear.
The objective is not to replace established procedures simply because another technology exists. It is to make informed decisions about what the department needs, what a particular process can demonstrate, and how the service fits within applicable requirements.
The practical barrier: access and cost
Even when a department identifies an advanced service worth evaluating, the cost may prevent it from moving forward.
Treatment fees, transportation, and coordination can be difficult to accommodate alongside equipment replacement, staffing, training, and other operational expenses. Those constraints can look different for large career departments and smaller rural, volunteer, or combination agencies.
The Afterburn Foundation helps qualifying fire departments access advanced PPE decontamination when cost stands in the way.
Afterburn is an access and funding organization, not a manufacturer or cleaning facility. It connects documented department need with philanthropic funding and qualified independent service providers.
Its annual sponsorship model is built around a clear commitment:
$500. One firefighter. One year.
A $500 sponsorship provides one firefighter with one year of funded access to qualifying advanced PPE decontamination services. The standard annual model is designed around two advanced CO₂ decontamination cycles and one annual advanced inspection, with flexibility to fund services according to actual need.
Sponsorship funds are pooled so services can vary according to equipment, exposure, geography, and logistics. The model funds access to qualifying services; it does not guarantee identical services for every firefighter or establish that a particular treatment satisfies every requirement for every piece of equipment.
If your department is considering advanced decontamination but cost is a barrier, Afterburn offers a way to seek assistance.
Frequently asked questions
What is NFPA 1850?
NFPA 1850 is the standard covering the selection, care, and maintenance of protective ensembles for structural and proximity firefighting and open-circuit self-contained breathing apparatus. Departments should consult the applicable edition for requirements relevant to their equipment and procedures.
What happened to NFPA 1851?
NFPA 1850 consolidates the previous NFPA 1851 and NFPA 1852 standards. Departments reviewing older policies and documents should verify references against the current edition rather than assume older citations remain sufficient.
Does NFPA 1850 require turnout gear to be cleaned every six months?
The 2020 edition of NFPA 1851 included an advanced-cleaning interval of at least every six months for issued structural firefighting ensembles. Departments should verify the applicable requirements in the current NFPA 1850 edition rather than treat the historical interval as a complete statement of current requirements.
Does using liquid CO₂ decontamination automatically satisfy NFPA requirements?
No. Compliance depends on the applicable requirements, the specific equipment and process, and relevant manufacturer instructions. Departments should verify these factors rather than assume a cleaning technology automatically establishes compliance.
Can Afterburn help pay for advanced decontamination?
Yes. The Afterburn Foundation helps qualifying fire departments access advanced PPE decontamination when cost stands in the way. Departments can apply for funding to have their needs evaluated.
Better decontamination shouldn’t depend on your department’s budget.
Afterburn helps qualifying fire departments access advanced PPE decontamination when cost stands in the way.
Help another department get access: Sponsor a Firefighter