TBN Fire FIghters: Station question...

RobertN · Jun 7, 2006

Hey Guys,
Our volunteer assoc is looking at buying a new washer for our station. We're a 24/7 staffed(Captian and Engineer) station with volunteer 2nd out coverage.

We have an older top load washer. We were looking at getting a new high capacity front loader. District ofice asked us to look at a commercial "extractor" machine. Apparently the extractor machine is the only one which cleans and sanitzes all the icky goo we get on our turnouts.

They are really expensive though. There is also some question that if they do sanitize to OSHA standards, that it will dump too much icky goo in our septic system.

What do you guys have at your stations?

Also, how do you dry your turnouts?

RobertN · Jun 7, 2006

Hey Guys,
Our volunteer assoc is looking at buying a new washer for our station. We're a 24/7 staffed(Captian and Engineer) station with volunteer 2nd out coverage.

We have an older top load washer. We were looking at getting a new high capacity front loader. District ofice asked us to look at a commercial "extractor" machine. Apparently the extractor machine is the only one which cleans and sanitzes all the icky goo we get on our turnouts.

They are really expensive though. There is also some question that if they do sanitize to OSHA standards, that it will dump too much icky goo in our septic system.

What do you guys have at your stations?

Also, how do you dry your turnouts?

deerefan · Jun 7, 2006

Though it can get expensive, our turnout gear is cleaned professionally if it can't be cleaned with soap and a brush by us. We have a cleaners that cleans it for a discount.

deerefan · Jun 7, 2006

Though it can get expensive, our turnout gear is cleaned professionally if it can't be cleaned with soap and a brush by us. We have a cleaners that cleans it for a discount.

scott_vt · Jun 7, 2006

Robert,
We have a professional front loader in our gear room, the name fails me at the moment, I will check tonight. We are volunteer and we presently use our septic system, but are planning to hook up to the new sewer line within the next year.
I believe this machine cleans and sanitizes to OSHA specs!

ps We use our hose drier to dry our gear /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

scott_vt · Jun 7, 2006

Robert,
We have a professional front loader in our gear room, the name fails me at the moment, I will check tonight. We are volunteer and we presently use our septic system, but are planning to hook up to the new sewer line within the next year.
I believe this machine cleans and sanitizes to OSHA specs!

ps We use our hose drier to dry our gear /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

JSUnlimited · Jun 7, 2006

UniMac Extractor-Washer.

We use a commercial extractor type washing machine that is located at our main station. Here's a link to the manufacturer of the one we have. I'm unsure of the exact model, I can check on Friday when I work and get back to you. It works great and we have a matching commercial dryer. I do know that we have someone come every so often and deliver new containers of bleach, soap, softener, etc., as it is plumbed into the machine automatically.

Some guys will tumble dry on low heat both the shell and liner. Some guys will run an extra extraction cycle and then let the gear air dry, which does not take long. BTW, don't leave the stuff set in the sun as the UV rays are not good on the material. We are on the municipal sewer so I'm not sure about the effects of the washer on a septic system. One thing is that this washer uses a lot of water both hot and cold!

If you guys have the funds, go with the extractor-washer, it's
good for cleaning lots of stuff.

JSUnlimited · Jun 7, 2006

UniMac Extractor-Washer.

We use a commercial extractor type washing machine that is located at our main station. Here's a link to the manufacturer of the one we have. I'm unsure of the exact model, I can check on Friday when I work and get back to you. It works great and we have a matching commercial dryer. I do know that we have someone come every so often and deliver new containers of bleach, soap, softener, etc., as it is plumbed into the machine automatically.

Some guys will tumble dry on low heat both the shell and liner. Some guys will run an extra extraction cycle and then let the gear air dry, which does not take long. BTW, don't leave the stuff set in the sun as the UV rays are not good on the material. We are on the municipal sewer so I'm not sure about the effects of the washer on a septic system. One thing is that this washer uses a lot of water both hot and cold!

If you guys have the funds, go with the extractor-washer, it's
good for cleaning lots of stuff.

InlineDieselFan · Jun 9, 2006

I do not know the brand of our washer, it is at a different station than I work, but I remember that it was big $$$$$.

We then have a tent like set up that you place your gear in, there are arm and leg poles that you place the turnouts through. It holds ten sets at a time. You then turn on a blower that also has heat and a few hours later done.

That is the best I can tell you, for me it is really easy, put my dirty set in a plastic bag and ship to station 7, they come back two-four days later nice clean and dry. (We each have two sets of gear for that down time during the wash cycle.)

steve

InlineDieselFan · Jun 9, 2006

I do not know the brand of our washer, it is at a different station than I work, but I remember that it was big $$$$$.

We then have a tent like set up that you place your gear in, there are arm and leg poles that you place the turnouts through. It holds ten sets at a time. You then turn on a blower that also has heat and a few hours later done.

That is the best I can tell you, for me it is really easy, put my dirty set in a plastic bag and ship to station 7, they come back two-four days later nice clean and dry. (We each have two sets of gear for that down time during the wash cycle.)

steve