BS 8617:2019

What is BS 8617- Personal protective equipment (PPE) of firefighters about?

BS 8617 discusses personal protective equipment (PPE) for firefighters. BS 8617 is a standard that provides a code of practice for the personal protective equipment of firefighters. BS 8617 gives recommendations and guidance for cleaning, maintenance, and repair of firefighters’ PPE. BS 8617 covers inspection, testing, cleaning, decontamination, drying, repair and replacement, recording, storage and transportation, and retirement and disposal of the PPE of firefighters. BS 8617 applies to garments, helmets, gloves, footwear, and fire hoods, worn by anyone involved in firefighting and associated activities. Note 1: Under BS 8617 it is expected that all organizations involved in firefighting and associated activities will have a procedure for dealing with contaminants at an incident before inspection and cleaning, to prevent cross-contamination and further exposure to contaminants. Note 2: Under BS 8617 respiratory protective equipment, chemical protective clothing, marine, and water activities are not covered. Note 3: BS 8617 does not cover garments required for protection against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) materials.