Firefighter gear is highly functional—and put through its paces. After every call, it bears traces of smoke, soot, chemicals, or biological substances. To ensure the Workplace Hygiene To ensure this, it is essential to care for these textiles professionally and safely. But just as important as the right washing machine is the Proper Loading and Unloading at the fire department laundry.
Generally speaking, two types of washing machines are suitable for fire department laundries. The DIVIMAT Industrial Hygiene Washing Machine ensured by their Partition Wall Construction, ...to ensure that there is no contact between contaminated and clean laundry: It is installed into a wall in such a way that, that there are two separate rooms for dirty and clean laundry be created.
Alternatively, the following is also suitable for cleaning firefighter protective clothing: ATOLL High-Speed Washing Machine, which operates without a physical partition. Both types of machines can be customized to meet the requirements of firefighter PPE.
Hygiene starts with handling—not just during the washing process
Whether hygiene requirements are met is determined even before washing begins. Protective clothing should not be left loose in the Washing Machine be given, but should be in the sealed garment bag or in a Toiletry Bag be washed. This prevents contaminated particles from being released into the air or onto the surrounding area—and effectively protects employees from health risks.
Exhaust systems? Often unnecessary—and a potential source of error
Some fire department laundries are considering installing extraction systems to remove potential contaminants when loading the machine. In practice, this is the case with Proper Use of the Garment Bag Method however not required – and can even have drawbacks.
An extraction system involves additional, often sensitive equipment that requires regular maintenance and can lead to operational downtime if it malfunctions. Furthermore, it creates a false sense of security: if the system is operated without a closed laundry bag, even an extraction system cannot completely prevent the release of particles.
Safe Unloading – Protection Through Every Step
The laundry bag can easily be washed along with your clothes, providing reliable protection.
The clean work clothes can then be placed in a suitable Dryer or Drying cabinet be dried hygienically. Optionally, the drying cabinet can be equipped with an ozone lamp. This ensures hygienic drying, as the safe levels of ozone reduce germs and odors.