Care & Maintenance - English

How to inspect your VIKING fire suit

• The visual inspection is carried out to ensure that your personal protective equipment is ready for use

• This can be carried our without the use of any testing equipment

• The inspection can be done by any member of the fire service who is familiar with the equipment and has a basic knowledge of the product usage

• The suit wearer should be able to complete the visual inspection and is responsible for their own suit.

CE labels

• The first step in the inspection is to locate the CE label inside the jackets and trousers 

• It is very important that all the text is still readable

• If the label fades to make it unreadable, the suit must be discarded, or the label must be replaced as required by regulations

The picture shows an example of a CE label in a VIKING fire suit.

Outer shell - Holes or tears

• When inspecting the outer shell, the first thing you should look for is holes and tears. You should also check, that no seams are broken

• NO HOLES ARE ALLOWED in the outer shell other than the drain holes already present from manufacturing. A hole must be repaired, e.g. with a patch

The picture shows a hole in the outer shell which requires a repair.

Reinforcements on knees, elbows, shoulders, hems, etc. should be included in the inspection of the outer shell with the same guidelines. As long as the layer of the outer shell underneath the reinforcements is undamaged, repair is recommended but not required.

Outer shell - Thermal damage

• Thermal damage usually occurs from exposure to fire. 

• It is easily identified by the miscoloring. When an area of thermal damage has been identified, whether the suit requires repair depends on the degree of damage.

• A miscoloring is not necessarily an indicator of damaged fabric, as some miscoloring could be only cosmetic, and therefore not require repair.

• Test method: By rubbing the miscolored area, if the fabric is brittle or easily breakable, the fabric is damaged, and repair is required. If the fabric is soft and flexible, no repair is required. 

Outer shell - Miscoloring

When it comes to miscoloring from sunlight or debris, we recommend testing the fabric in the same way as with thermal damage - however, sunlight should not affect the functionality of the outer shell.

The picture shows an example of miscoloring due to sunlight - here no repair is required.

Moisture barrier

The moisture barrier should be inspected. All newer VIKING fire suits with a moisture barrier have an inspection zipper.
Inspection zipper location:

• Jacket - zipper is located inside the jacket at the lower back

• Trousers - zipper is located inside the trousers at the back

Opening the zipper provides access to the inside of the jacket or trousers where the jacket or trousers where the moisture barrier is located.

If there is no damage to the outer layer or inner lining, the moisture barrier should also be undamaged. If there is cosmetic thermal damage to the outer shell, you should perform a visual test of the white side of the membrane, to check for potential damage of the moisture barrier.

For inspection:

• Holes and tears in the moisture barrier require repair.

• Check that the tape on the moisture barrier is unbroken, attached in all points and covers all seams.

• Miscoloring from heat on the moisture barrier should be tested in the same way as the outer shell - by rubbing check if the fabric is brittle.

If in doubt, send the suit to a VIKING servicing station.

The picture shows heat damage but no holes, therefore further testing would be recommended.

Reflective trim

The reflective trim consists of two components:

Retroreflective - provides visibility in the dark (grey)

Fluorescent - provides visibility in the light (yellow)

VIKING fire suits comply with EN ISO 20471:2014 which dictates the amount of trim required on a garment. VIKING fire suits comply with required trim on each suit.

Reflective trim- Retroreflective component

The fire suit can be used in the trim still functions.

The retroreflective trim might still work even when it is visually damaged. Therefore, we recommend testing it before assuming it is damaged.

You can test retroreflective effective on the suit in two ways:

• Use a 3M test lamp. "Security Laminate Verifier"

• Take a picture with your phone using the flash (this method is used in the picture)

All reflective trim on the suit must have the reflective effect without any breaks, as full visibility in the dark is desired.

Reflective trim - Fluorescent component

The picture illustrates a sleeve with a miscolored trim.

In this case only the fluorescent properties are damaged which is necessary for visibility in daylight.

Whether a repair must be performed, should be decided by a risk assessment.

Comfort trim

Comfort trim will occasionally start to loosen from the fabric.

Repair requirements are similar to standard sewn trim - it depends on the size of the affected area.

VIKING always recommends repair to avoid possible further damage, however, if only the edges and or small areas have some pealing, repair is not a requirement - and the suit can still be used.

Accessories

Relevant for all accessories on your garment.

If the accessory serves a critical function, it must be repaired - please consider risk assessment

• Test all straps by pulling and ensuring they are properly fastened to the body of the suit (non-critical function)

• Test all hook/loop for proper closure

• Throat flap: critical function

• Front flap: critical function

• Pocket flap: non-critical function

• Test suspenders by pulling on them and ensuring they are intact (critical function)

• Test zippers by closing and opening

• Front zipper: critical function

• Inspection zipper: non-critical function

• Test cord lock on the inside of the suit for any malfunctions (non-critical function)

Checklist

VIKING recommends that the suit is removed from service when it is determined to be unsafe. Consider your risk assessment and only use the suit if it is fit for purpose.

If in doubt about whether your fire suit requires service, please contact your supervisor or VIKING.

You can also hand in your suit for inspection and clarification.

Use ONLY authorized VIKING service centers for repairs or modifications. Any modifications or repairs by anyone other than an authorized service center will void all warranties.

A checklist of the items recommended for inspection is opened by click on the button "Download checklist".

download checklist

Get ready for a quiz on "Inspection of the fire suit" where you'll apply the knowledge gained from this lesson.
Test yourself and see how much you've mastered.

Take a moment to watch the video and delve deeper into the concept of "Washing and treatment"

Storage

The lifetime and performance of your protective clothing can be extended by storing and maintaining it properly.

Direct sunlight should be avoided during storage. VIKING recommends that suits be stored in a plastic bag, on a hanger in a dark and dry room, or similar conditions.

Maintaining the suit requires frequent inspections, washings and impregnations.

Preparation for washing

To avoid wear and tear of the fire suit and the washing machines, we recommend the following actions before placing the suit in the washing machine:

• Close all zippers

• Fasten all hook and loops properly - make sure all hook parts are covered

• Remove detachable parts (such as knee pads, snap hooks, suspenders, etc.)

Washing instructions

Always follow the instructions in the manual.

All VIKING fire suits are provided with a small booklet that describes how to perform proper washing of the garment.

The manual includes instructions in many languages.

Washing pictograms can be located in three places:

1. The manual fastened on the suit at delivery

2. On the CE label placed inside the suit

3. On the website VIKING-Fire.com

Washing instructions

VIKING recommends the following:

• Wash at 60 degrees - or according to the pictogram

• Use common, off-the-shelf detergent

• Do not use any bleach

• Do not use special detergents with high alkalinity for e.g., stain removers. VIKING recommends low to medium alkalinity.

• Use a pH of < 10,5 - higher pH could impair the properties of the trim, in particular

• Pre-treatment for heavily soiled garments is acceptable. Using off-the-shelf detergents or use a soft brush but be careful with the moisture barrier and inner liner.

• Never load the washing machine to more than 65% of capacity for proper washing.

Re-impregnation

The number of washes between each impregnation varies depending on the layer combinations. These guidelines can be found on the CE label or in the manual.

Reimpregnation is easily done by adding an impregnation product to rinse cycle in the washing process.

Make sure you comply with the method and dosage indicated by the impregnation product.

It is important to follow the drying instructions and temperature stated on the product, otherwise the impregnation will not work as intended.

Drying

VIKING recommends always drying in warm conditions, i.e. either tumble dry or use a drying cabinet:

• Tumble dry: Follow the maximum temperature setting from the pictogram.

• Drying cabinet: Follow the maximum temperature setting from the pictogram (recommended by VIKING)

When the suit has been impregnated, please follow drying instructions from the impregnation product, but do not exceed the temperature on the pictogram.

Always inspect the suit before returning it for use.

You now have been introduced to the washing and care of your fire suit.
Test your knowledge with the quiz in this video!

See the donning video here!