Ensuring Thoroughly Cleaned and Safe Equipment

The cleaning requirements for firefighter PPE go beyond simple cleaning processes, demanding adherence to NFPA 1851 care standards to ensure gear is safe for reuse. Recognizing the limitations of traditional hand-scrubbing methods, MARKEN® PPE Restoration has collaborated with Omegasonics to revolutionize PPE cleaning, ensuring gear meets safety standards efficiently.

Since its inception in 2010, MARKEN has integrated Omegasonics’ advanced ultrasonic technology into its cleaning protocols. This partnership has dramatically reduced PPE cleaning times by approximately 75% and slashed employee training time by 85%, marking a significant enhancement in operational efficiency and employee engagement.

A Breakthrough in Cleaning Technology

The collaboration took a significant leap forward when Gentex sought to enhance the cleaning process for aluminized proximity suits using Omegasonics technology. This initiative aimed to find a more effective, less labor-intensive cleaning solution, showcasing the potential of ultrasonic cleaning in maintaining critical safety equipment.

Broadening the Impact

MARKEN isn’t the only entity benefiting from ultrasonic cleaning technology. Northwest Safety Clean has also adopted Omegasonics solutions, realizing cost reductions in helmet cleaning by $10 per unit. Considering the frequency of cleaning required and the number of firefighters per city, this translates into substantial savings, especially for smaller cities and towns that may not have a large budget.

Steve Lakey, CEO of Northwest Safety Clean, shared, “Honestly, initially I was interested in ultrasonic because I like new gadgets and electronics, and it just sounded cool. But it turned out to be a positive tool for my business. Also, I’ve been able to pass along the savings I’ve experienced on helmet cleaning to my customers. Fire departments need a lot of bang for their buck these days. Now they are more likely to send in their helmets for cleaning and inspection.”

Explore Omegasonics for PPE Cleaning

Omegasonics stands at the forefront of PPE cleaning technology, offering solutions that significantly benefit the safety and operational efficiency of first responders. For those interested in using this technology, Omegasonics has a team of professionals available to discuss your needs and to explain to you how our ultrasonic cleaners and cleaning solutions can help improve this aspect of your department.

To discover how Omegasonics can transform your PPE cleaning process, contact us at 888-989-5560. Our team of experts is ready to assist with selecting the perfect ultrasonic cleaning solution to meet your needs and ensure your equipment is not just clean, but also thoroughly sanitized and safe for use.

Clean and Safe Equipment

PPE for first responders not only need to work properly, but it also needs to be cleaned properly. Firefighters see some of the most dangerous conditions imaginable, which often means their equipment comes back with residue that if not cleaned, could put their life at risk. In order for their protective gear to be safe, NFPA 1851 care standards need to be followed.

A company called MARKEN® PPE Restoration​ has partnered with Omegasonics to develop a process to ensure these standards are followed and the equipment cleaned is safe and effective to use for our first responders. The fact is that hand-scrubbing cannot clean PPE effectively enough for it to be considered truly safe for our first responders. Additionally, taking apart the equipment, cleaning by hand, and putting the equipment back together is very time consuming, which is where MARKEN and Omegasonics come into the picture.

When MARKEN first launched in 2010, it immediately incorporated Omegasonics technology into its cleaning process. By using our ultrasonic technology, cleaning time for PPE has been reduced by about 75 percent. Additionally, employee training for this task has been reduced by 85 percent. Any small business owner will tell you how impactful that is to the bottom line. There is also the benefit that the new employees are not bored with extended training. So, now they have more effective employees that are contributing much quicker than they had in the past.

The biggest breakthrough for all involved was when Gentex was asked to contribute to find a more effective way to clean aluminized proximity suits using Omegasonics technology.

Not Alone

MARKEN is not the only company using this technology, either. Northwest Safety Clean has also incorporated Omegasonics into its PPE cleaning process. The business found that by using our technology, it was able to reduce the cost of properly cleaning helmets by $10. When you consider how many firemen are in the city and how often this process is needed, we are talking massive savings for the city.

Steve Lakey, the owner and CEO of Northwest stated, “Honestly, initially I was interested in ultrasonic because I like new gadgets and electronics, and it just sounded cool. But it turned out to be a positive tool for my business. Also, I’ve been able to pass along the savings I’ve experienced on helmet cleaning to my customers. Fire departments need a lot of bang for their buck these days. Now they are more likely to send in their helmets for cleaning and inspection.”

If you are interested in learning more about our Omegasonics cleaning technology to clean your PPE equipment, give us a call at 888-989-5560. You can consult with a member of our expert staff to find the proper equipment for your needs. And remember, if we do not have standard machine to do the job for you, we can custom-build a tank that will get the job done! Give us a call today for more information.

Cleaning PPE with normal cleaning methods is not enough. So what can be done to prevent the continual replacement of expensive PPE?

A good bit of the PPE is disposable and is burned. As for the rest of it, ultrasonic cleaners can help.

The Importance of PPE when Treating an Infectious Disease

With a virus like Ebola, having PPE to protect healthcare workers is essential. Without it, the risk of infection spreading is great.

Ebola spreads when infected bodily fluids make contact with open wounds on the skin (remember that paper cut?) It can also be contracted when the virus gets into a mucus membrane like the eyes or the mouth. This means to ensure that the virus does not spread, all skin and mucus membranes must be covered.

Not only must care be taken when putting on PPE, but also when taking it off. This includes proper disposal of items that should be disposed of, and proper cleaning and sterilization of equipment that is to be reused.

CDC Recommendations for Cleaning PPE and Biohazard Equipment

According to the CDC, any items that have been contaminated must be cleaned and sterilized before being used again with a patient. If PPE and other devices are not cleaned properly, then there is a chance of compromising the sterilization process and potentially spreading the virus or infection.

Before the sterilization process, all dirt, debris, and microorganisms must be removed from the items. The two methods that they mention are to use good old soap, water and a scrub brush, or to use an ultrasonic cleaner.

In order to increase the time from soiled to reusable, the CDC recommends automated processes such as ultrasonic cleaning be used over more traditional methods. Ultrasonic cleaners also improve the effectiveness of the cleaning. It will also decrease the chances that workers performing the cleaning will be exposed to the virus or other contamination present.

The vibrating molecules in the solution create a vacuum when the ultrasonic cleaner is in operation. This vacuum is able to pull out any hidden microorganisms from cracks, crevices or hinges that might be on the medical equipment.

Handling Contaminated Items for Cleaning

The CDC recommends that you should treat any PPE that may be contaminated as if it were. This means wearing heavy puncture resistant gloves, a face mask, eye protection, a gown or a jacket. This is due to the potential of splashing that might occur during the cleaning process.

Once the cleaning process ends, remove the clean items immediately. This will ensure that items are not contaminated and will avoid getting any extra moisture into the PPE.

As you can see, Omegasonics ultrasonic cleaners are doing their part in the fight against Ebola and other life-threatening viruses. Call us or contact us with any questions you might have about cleaning PPE with an ultrasonic cleaner.

I’ve spoken with many fire houses, and I’ve heard stories of fire fighters who are injured every year due to microbial exposure and burn incidents directly related to the material degradation of their PPE.

The good news is that there is a solution to this issue, and it is being used by a growing number of fire stations across the country.

If you’d like to learn more about the advanced cleaning of PPE, or if you have questions about how you can bring the proper equipment to your station – give our team a call at (888) 420-4445 or visit our website.