Locations in Dallas and San Antonio
That Takes CARE of YOU!!!
Taking Care
of the GEAR...
with our HEAD-TO-TOE gear rentals
At GCS we've got you covered
RENTAL
GCS can take care
of this for YOU!
because of CARCINOGENS.
Clean Gear is Essential
Before
After
Service and
Support
Pumps
Hydro Tester
Chemicals
IN - HOUSE
About Gear Cleaning Solutions
Turnout Gear Cleaning, Inspection and Repair
GCS is a full service ISP (Independent Service Provider) owned and operated by firefighters. It is the goal of GCS to help any size fire department develop and implement an NFPA 1851 selection, care and maintenance program. Our state of the art facility has experienced, knowledgeable staff that can help you and your department create a compliant care and maintenance program.
GCS is here to provide all NFPA 1851 compliant services required by your department, everyday.
Our goal in this service oriented industry is to provide NFPA 1851 required services to departments from all communities, in the most responsible, efficient, professional and cost effective manner possible.
You can rest assured that all updated compliance requirements to NFPA 1851 are implemented on a regular basis. We are firefighters here to help our fellow firefighters!
- 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.
Advanced cleanings must be performed by a verified ISP or trained personnel of the organization (Fire Department). The training of an organizations personnel shall be performed by the garment manufacturer or a verified ISP recognized by each garment manufacturer which training is being provided. Advanced cleanings of ensembles are required every 6 months at minimum according to the 2020 NFPA 1851 standard. Advanced cleanings shall also be done when routine cleaning fails to render the ensemble or ensemble elements sufficiently clean for service. GCS is recognized by all manufacturers for advanced cleaning and Advanced Inspections of structural and proximity firefighting garments.
Contact Gear Cleaning Solutions
Contact us for more information on firefighter turnout gear repair, rentals, inspections, ppe turnout cleaning, NFPA 1851 training and compliance, and to find out about our NFPA compliant in house service and support program. We are firefighters helping firefighters, and we treat our customers like our family.
GCS Dallas – 214-774-2213
GCS San Antonio- 210-595-7705
Monday thru Friday 8 am to 5 pm
Closed Weekends and Holidays
GCS Dallas
9030 Viscount Row
Dallas, TX 75247
GCS San Antonio
4366 Center Gate St.,
San Antonio, TX 78217
Resources
Wrong! It’s not your truck apparatus; it’s your personnel! You can replace your apparatus truck with insurance or a loan. How much time and monetary commitment does it take to train an experienced firefighter?
NFPA 1851 Compliance, Advanced Cleaning, Inspection and Repair
Statistical data indicates today’s firefighter’s health and safety are at a much higher risk due to exposure and the buildup of contaminants found in day to day fire situations. In the latest revisions to NFPA Specifications 1500, 1851 and 1971, the fire service has addressed the health and safety risks associated with contaminated turnout gear by requiring that protective clothing be cleaned at least once every six (6) months, or as soon as it has been soiled or contaminated.
As a Verified ISP (Independent Service Provider) owned and operated by firefighters, Gear Cleaning Solutions offers complete advanced cleaning, inspection, repair and alteration services that meet and excede the industry established standards and manufacturer requirements, including NFPA 1851: Standard on Selection, Care and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting 2020 Edition, Section 11.
Gear Cleaning Solutions is tested and audited annually to comply with the NFPA Standard requirements for ISP verification. This annual process ensures that your organization is receiving service that meets current safety standards and that the performance of your equipment will not be compromised.
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.