Compliance for a set of turnout gear begins the day it arrives, not the first time it gets dirty: log its serials, record its manufacture date, verify fit, and open its service file before it ever rides a rig. Departments that onboard gear properly never face the “how old is this coat?” problem — because the answer is on page one.
What belongs in a day-one gear record?
- Manufacturer, model, and serial numbers for coat and pants (they differ!)
- Date of manufacture from the label — the retirement clock runs from this date, not purchase date
- Assignment — who wears it, from when
- Fit verification — documented once, at issue, with overlap and interface checks
- Baseline condition — “new, no defects” takes ten seconds to write and anchors every later inspection
Why does manufacture date matter more than purchase date?
Retirement rules key off manufacture date. Gear can sit in distribution for a year or more — a “new” set may already have spent part of its service life on a shelf. Read the label, not the invoice.
Should new gear be washed before first wear?
Check the manufacturer’s guidance — some finishes benefit from an initial wash, and crews should always know how the gear behaves laundered. What matters more: getting it into your routine-cleaning cycle immediately, not after its first structure fire.
FAQ
Does new gear need an advanced inspection?
Its first annual advanced inspection is due within a year of being placed in service — calendar it at issue and it never slips.
Can Heiman ISP set up intake records for a whole order?
Yes — we baseline new deliveries and hand you the file. Ask us when your next order lands.