Do leather helmets have to be replaced every 10 years

[nhfd241 4]

I am thinking about buying a leather helmet and I was just wanted to know if it has to be replaced every 10 years like any other ppe

[BFD1054 1,552]

I sure hope not, im on my 2nd and cant afford a 3rd lol.

Kidding aside, good question.

If you dont beat the snot out of it (i.e. flashover simulator), it will last longer. Nice thing about leather helmets, amungst other things, is that they can be re-furbished when need be.

[x129K 1,393]

Yes they do.

That being said - mine is a 1987 vintage. I won't give it up either.

[JM15 386]

Yes... mine could use a refurbishing....

[x129K 1,393]

Yes... mine could use a refurbishing....

I used to know a guy.............

[SageVigiles 1,194]

I know a guy in Hamden, CT Fire that does great work on refurbing leathers, I believe his wife does the incredible paint work they turn out as well. PM me if you want his info, I'll get you in touch with him.

[Ladder44 73]

http://ragtopfire.com/

[LTFIREPRG 154]

NFPA 1851

Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting

Chapter 3 Definitions

3.3.31 Ensemble.

The compliant products that

provide protection to the upper and lower torso, arms, legs,

head, hands, and feet.

Chapter 10 Retirement, Disposition, and

Special Incident Procedure

10.1.2*

shall be retired in accordance with 10.2.1, no more than

10 years from the date the ensembles or ensemble elements

were manufactured.

A.10.1.1 Retirement criteria should be based on a number of

factors, including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) Overall condition of the item

(2) Specific deterioration of materials or components beyond

their economic repair

(3) Ability to adequately remove hazardous materials and

other contaminants

(4) Age of structural or proximity ensemble or ensemble

elements

Physical damage from use, detrimental effects from improper

cleaning procedures, and fabric failure of an ensemble

and ensemble elements that can make repairs impossible are

other factors that can affect when an item should be retired.

Where ensembles and ensemble elements are worn, damaged,

or contaminated, organizations should determine if it

would be more appropriate for them to be repaired, decontaminated,

or replaced. One general guideline is if the cost of

the repair or decontamination is greater than 50 percent of

the replacement cost of the ensemble or ensemble elements,

replacement should be considered. A typical guideline that

can be used involves the use of a matrix that takes into account

the current age of the gear and the cost of the repair versus the

replacement cost of the item. (See A.10.1.4.)

Experience suggests that ensembles and ensemble elements

that are approaching 10 years since the date of their manufacture

have a high likelihood of performance deficiencies in multiple

areas that can often be detected only by destructive testing. Additionally,

experience suggests that the reflective outer shell of

proximity elements that are approaching 5 years since the date of

their manufacture have a high likelihood of performance failures

that can be detected only by destructive testing. Such performance

failures could compromise fire fighter safety.

It is important to understand that the actual service life of

ensembles and ensemble elements varies depending on the

amount of their use and the care they receive. Factors such as

the size of the department, area covered, types of exposures,

and the aggressiveness of the individual fire fighter are all considerations

in how long any ensemble element will last. It is

possible that a protective element could be exposed to circumstances

that totally destroy it the first time it is utilized. Since

the purpose of fire fighters’ protective elements is to protect

the wearer, if the element has saved a life or prevented serious

injury, even just once, it has done its job. In many cases, an

ensemble or ensemble element will need to be retired sooner

than 10 years (or 5 years for the proximity reflective outer

shell component).

Organizations should use members who have received training

in the inspection of ensembles and ensemble elements, who

understand the limitations of each ensemble and ensemble element,

and who recognize the signs of failure to help make decisions

as to the integrity of an ensemble or ensemble element.

An additional consideration that can influence the decision

to repair or replace an ensemble or ensemble element

centers on the advances in technology that occur through

each revision of NFPA 1971, Standard on Protective Ensembles for

Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting. These technological

advances might be deemed important enough by an

organization to influence its criteria for replacement of ensembles

or ensemble elements.

A.10.1.2 After discussion of the concept of mandatory retirement

for protective elements, the consensus of the technical

committee, led by the fire service segment, is that the life of a

turnout suit is generally less than 10 years. Regardless of when

the element was originally produced, it is imperative that the

protective elements be routinely inspected to ensure that they

are clean, well maintained, and still safe. Just knowing the age

of the elements cannot do that.

[SSweet88MonteSS 0]

I used to know a guy.............

::singing:: Now's he's just someone that you used to know ... lol

But to get back on track, yes, they do. I'd even also go out on a limb and say that they should be inspected monthly and after each major incident.

Edited August 29, 2012 by SSweet88MonteSS

[791075 34]

Capital City Fire Helmets in Hartford CT. He does great work repairing/refurbing. Check out the site.

[BFD1054 1,552]

Capital City Fire Helmets in Hartford CT. He does great work repairing/refurbing. Check out the site.

You beat me to it! I stumbled on some of his helmets on eBay, but kept losing the bids. We ended up going back and forth through e-mail and on the phone for awhile, great guy.

I finally got an 05' N5A and had him totally refurb it to look like an early 90's New Yorker. He did excellent work, in a timely fashion and reasonable price. Think I have pictures of my helmet somewhere on here.

He is a City of Hartford fireman.

Edited August 29, 2012 by BFD1054

[tbendick 27]

FDNY is now replacing everything 10 years from date of manufacturer

leather is also no longer approved for us.

[Ladder44 73]

FDNY is now replacing everything 10 years from date of manufacturer

leather is also no longer approved for us.

That cant be going over to well