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User Information Guide – Protective Helmets for Structural Firefighting
Recommended Storage Practices –
The rear hook on the back brim of the
helmet can be used to hang your helmet.
Store your helmet only when it is clean, dry,
and free of contamination. Storing wet
helmets, particularly when the
suspension and ear covers are wet, will
promote growth of mildew, fungus,
bacteria, or other harmful substances that
can lead to skin irritation, rashes, and
potential diseases or illnesses. Wet
conditions can also lead to deterioration of
helmet textile components. Keep helmets
away from potential contaminants such
as oils, greases, or other chemical
substances. Store your helmet in a clean,
ventilated area away from direct sunlight
and away from tools or other sharp
objects. Do not store your helmet with
your personal belongings or in a
personal living area. Do not store or
transport your helmet in the window
areas of apparatus and vehicles.
Inspection Details
and Frequency
Routine Inspections – Inspect your
protective helmet prior to its first use
and following every use. Prior to
using the helmet for the first time,
ensure that the helmet does not have
any construction flaws, is completely
and properly assembled, and was not
damaged when being put into
service. Following every use, inspect
your protective helmet for:
• Soiling
• Contamination
• Shell: physical damage such as
cracks, dents, and abrasions
• Shell: thermal damage such
as bubbling, soft spots,
warping, and discoloration
• Ear covers or headband covers:
physical damage such as rips,
tears, and cuts
• Ear covers or headband covers:
thermal damage such as charring,
burn holes, and melting
• Ear covers or headband covers: loss
of seam integrity and broken or
missing stitches
• Suspension and retention
systems: damaged or missing
components
• Faceshield/goggles system:
damaged or missing components,
including discoloration or
scratches to the faceshield or
goggles or eye/face protection
lens, limiting visibility
• Reflective trim or visibility
markings: damaged or
missing pieces
If these conditions exist, alert your
supervisor for your department or
organization to make a determination
on the continued serviceability of your
protective helmet.
Advanced Inspections – Your
protective helmet must be subjected
to a more thorough inspection at
least every 12 months, after every
advanced cleaning, or whenever
there is a concern about its condition
for continued service. This
inspection must be carried out by
an individual within your
department or organization who
has been trained in advanced
inspections or by a qualified and
accepted independent service
provider.
Wearing Instructions
Donning – The following applies
for properly donning your helmet:
•Ensure the correct adjustment of your
helmet as described in the section
above. The adjustment of your helmet
should take into account if you will
be wearing either a hood or an
SCBA facepiece or both.
•Place your adjusted helmet on your
head and secure the chinstrap. Never
wear your helmet without securing
your chinstrap.
•Adjust all helmet, hood, SCBA, and
coat components so that they provide a
proper interface, with no gaps in
protection occurring in any body
position taken during use. You must
deploy your ear covers completely to
ensure overlap between your
protective coat collar, protective hood,
and SCBA facepiece. If provided and
when needed, ensure that your
faceshield or goggles are correctly
deployed.
Check to make sure that your helmet,
hood, and coat do not interfere with the
seal of the SCBA facepiece on your face.
Doffing – If your protective helmet is not
contaminated:
•Remove the helmet in the reverse
order in which you put it on.
•Inspect your helmet as indicated in
the instructions above.
If your protective helmet is damaged,
report this damage or other change in
its condition to your supervisor or
organization. Any damage or change
in condition must be corrected before
reusing your helmet. If your helmet has
become contaminated with blood, body
fluids, chemicals, or other hazardous
substances, use protective gloves and
extreme caution in removing your
helmet, and do not contact the surface of
your helmet with your bare hands. Seek
assistance in removing your helmet and
other parts of your ensemble to minimize
your exposure to any contaminants.
Care and Maintenance
Instructions
Importance of Clean and Maintained
Helmets – It is important that you keep
your protective helmet clean, free of con-
tamination, and properly maintained at
all times. Protective helmets that are
dirty or contaminated pose significant
hazards. The wearing of soiled or
contaminated clothing and equipment
can cause acute or long-term health
hazards. Many contaminants can be
absorbed by the skin, and some are
carcinogenic. In addition, many
contaminants are flammable. Do not
wear your protective helmet unless it is
properly cleaned and thoroughly dried.
Refer to NFPA 1851, Standard on
Selection, Care, and Maintenance of
Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire
Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting, for
additional guidance. However, the
instructions provided by Honeywell First
Responder Products take precedence
over any requirements specified in
NFPA 1851.
Cleaning Precautions – In cleaning
your protective helmet:
• Use only mild detergents with a pH
range of not less than 6.0 pH and not
greater than 10.5 pH as indicated on
the product material safety data sheet
(MSDS) or original product container.
Do not use detergents or cleaning
agents that are not approved by
Honeywell First Responder Products.
Go to www.HoneywellFirstResponder
.com for a list of recommended
cleaning agents.
• Never use solvents or chlorine bleach or
cleaning agents that contain chlorine
bleach. These substances rapidly
break down some helmet materials.
• Do not machine wash or dry whole
helmets. The ear covers and head-
band/ratchet covers may be machine
washed and dried as instructed below.
• Separately clean helmet ear covers.
• Do not use wash water or drying
temperatures above 105°F (40°C).
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