5
Care and Maintenance
WARNING!
•
This helmet is made to absorb the energy of a blow by partial destruction or damage to the helmet and/or harness.
Replace the helmet after it has withstood an impact, even if there is no visible damage.
•
Do not drop the helmet.
•
Avoid unnecessary impacts which may cause damage to the helmet or its accessories (goggles, visor, etc.).
•
Replace any damaged parts only with genuine MSA parts, as only these original parts are authorized and ensure the
performance of the helmet.
Failure to follow these warnings can result in serious personal injury or death.
Carefully obey all of the procedures for cleaning, inspecting, repairing, and storing the helmet.
For additional guidance, refer to the current edition of NFPA 1851, which specifies the minimum selection, care, and
maintenance requirements for structural and proximity firefighting protective ensembles and the individual ensemble
elements.
5.1
Cleaning
WARNING!
•
Helmets that are dirty or soiled from technical rescue incidents may be contaminated with toxins that are poisonous,
pathogenic, toxic or carcinogenic. Failure to properly clean the helmet after each use per the recommended cleaning
procedures may result in injuries, illness, disease and/or death. Helmets should be properly cleaned consistent with
NFPA 1851 under the supervision of the authority having jurisdiction and standard operating procedures.
•
Do not use cleaning solvents, oils, varnishes, or polishes other than those recommended in this manual to clean or
decontaminate helmets or helmet components.
•
Do not use abrasives, solvents, paint removers, acetone, paint or lacquer thinner, or any chlorinated organic solvents
to clean the helmet shell. Use of these substances can degrade the protective properties of the helmet shell.
•
Do not use equipment that produces mechanical action such as tumbling or agitation to machine-wash or dry
complete helmets.
•
Do not use forced hot air or put the helmet directly on a heat source to dry it.
•
Do not apply paint, stickers, cleaning products with a hydrocarbon base or solvents to the helmet or visors to prevent
damaging the materials of your helmet.
Failure to obey these warnings can result in serious personal injury or death.
•
To prevent contamination after technical rescue incidents, clean the helmet after each use, before inspection.
•
Elements contaminated by CBRN agents must be handled according to decontamination and disposal procedures
set by the applicable authorities.
•
Remove any helmet that has been exposed to chemical or biological contaminants from service and clean it using the
procedures in the Section
.
•
For cleaning, use a solution of 1.5 oz (43 g) of mild detergent per 1 gal (3.8 L) of water at a temperature no higher
than 110 °F (43 °C).
•
Do not use a helmet that is wet from use or cleaning. Allow all parts to air dry completely before use.
•
Do not use a heat source such as forced air to dry components more quickly. Do not tumble dry.
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US
5 Care and Maintenance