Laundering your hood after every exposure to products of combustion is important – but so is doing it in accordance with the NFPA 1851 standard and the manufacturer’s instructions.

The particulate-blocking hood is the most delicate element of your protective ensemble and should only be laundered with other hoods (and possibly the detached liners from your PPE coat and pants). Laundering your hood together with the outer shell of coats or pants outfitted with hook-and-loop fasteners, hook snaps and zippers can cause damage to the hood’s outer layer and particulate-blocking layer.

Do you know the requirements for PPE cleaning and inspection as set forth in NFPA 1851? We’ve put together a guide to help you understand how to clean and inspect your SCBA, helmets, hoods, turnouts, and boots.