Firefighter gear is built to endure high heat, smoke, moisture, and punishing conditions. But even the best-engineered equipment doesn’t last forever, especially if it's not stored correctly. Between high equipment costs and strict NFPA standards, fire departments need to stretch every dollar while safeguarding their most critical asset: their people.
Today, turnout gear and a backup set run about $18,000 per firefighter. Add another $10,000 for shared air packs and bottles, and the financial stakes become pretty clear. And although the NFPA 1851 standard outlines proper care and maintenance procedures, storage is often overlooked.
Poor storage practices accelerate wear, introduce contamination risks, and shorten the service life of the equipment that firefighters count on when it matters most.
The good news? Fire gear storage systems can help preserve the integrity of personal protective equipment and reduce long-term replacement costs. This checklist shows you how.
The Problem:
After a call or decontamination, water and contaminants can become trapped in the protective layers of turnout gear. If the gear isn't dried thoroughly and quickly, this moisture can set the stage for serious damage. Contaminants and moisture can work their way deep into the protective fabrics. If moisture remains between uses, the existing moisture helps draw new contaminants into the material when it gets wet again.
The Storage Fix:
Not all lockers are created equal, but the good ones are built with airflow in mind. We offer a few options that support ventilation and separation.
The Lifespan Benefit:
Faster, more thorough drying helps prevent microbial buildup and preserves fabric integrity while meeting NFPA's ventilation requirements.
The Problem:
Firefighter gear might be designed to stand up to flames, but it’s surprisingly vulnerable to light. Prolonged exposure to UV rays, whether from sunlight or high-intensity fluorescent lighting, can degrade PPE fabrics. Over time, this exposure weakens outer shell fibers, fades reflective markings, and breaks down the coatings that provide heat and chemical resistance.
The Storage Fix:
Solutions like 4-post shelving or mobile shelving with solid-panel doors and integrated hanger rails keep PPE out of the light while still promoting airflow. These systems are available with single-wall 20-gauge steel doors that offer durable protection without sealing in moisture. Adjustable hanger rails give flexibility for storing gear of different sizes and styles.
The Lifespan Benefit:
Storing gear out of sunlight helps preserve the integrity of protected fabrics, slows discoloration, and helps PPE maintain its intended lifespan.
The Problem:
Recent studies, including the North Carolina Firefighter Cancer Cohort Study (NC FFCCS), are investigating how exposure to contaminants like PFAS, flame retardants, and trace metals may influence cancer risks among firefighters. Proper storage isn't just about organization. It's a matter of health.
Cross-contamination can occur easily in cramped or poorly planned storage areas. When unwashed gear comes into contact with clean equipment or is stored in shared spaces without proper airflow, residues can transfer to other surfaces, affecting personnel and the station environment.
Substances like oil, solvents, and even airborne contaminants from off-gassing gear can compromise the integrity of clean PPE and reduce its effectiveness. Storing gear in dusty, cluttered areas (or worse, in contact with sharp or dirty tools) further raises the risk of damage.
To combat this, NFPA guidelines recommend storing PPE in a dedicated, well-ventilated area to help remove lingering contaminants from the air. But even within that designated space, storage systems should clearly separate clean gear from gear awaiting decontamination, helping minimize exposure and reduce cross-contamination risk.
The Storage Fix:
Pass-through lockers and ventilated drying cabinets provide clearly defined compartments. Either option can be built into a station's decontamination workflows to allow gear drop-off on one side and retrieval on the other, minimizing personnel exposure and contamination risk.
These systems can connect to your station's existing ductwork, improving airflow and actively venting harmful off-gassing to the outdoors. Louvered vents, recessed accessories, and dedicated compartments all contribute to cleaner air and safer conditions.
The Lifespan Benefit:
By keeping contaminated gear contained and away from clean gear, departments minimize recontamination and ensure decontaminated PPE stays protected.
The Problem:
Cramming gloves into boots or piling helmets on turnout coats might save space, but it ruins gear. PPE is engineered to maintain a precise shape and fit. When it's stuffed into tight spaces or stacked haphazardly, it can lose that shape and start to break down.
Deformation doesn't just affect comfort. It compromises the protective layers and reduces the gear's ability to perform under pressure. Microtears, compressed insulation, and warped components are all signs that the gear hasn't been stored properly. And when gloves no longer fit or boots lose their structure, it's not just an annoyance, it's a safety hazard.
Ill-fitting or damaged gear can restrict movement, reduce work capacity, and introduce risks. Every seam and component needs to do its job perfectly, or it becomes a weak spot where heat, smoke, or chemicals can get through.
The Storage Fix:
There's no one-size-fits-all storage solution for PPE — and that's the point. The key to preserving gear shape is designing storage around the specific needs of each item:
By combining the right components and customizing them to your station's needs, departments can organize PPE more effectively while extending its lifespan.
The Lifespan Benefit:
When you store fire gear in a way that preserves its shape, it lasts longer and works better. Fit-critical items like gloves, boots, and hoods stay functional and comfortable, reducing repair needs, downtime, and replacement costs.
Fire gear takes a beating on the job, but poor storage shouldn't be part of the wear and tear. While cleaning and maintenance procedures are crucial, storage is the unsung hero that can make or break PPE longevity. Because at the end of the day, gear durability doesn't end when the call does.
Incorporating better firefighter gear storage solutions into your station design not only supports NFPA 1851 compliance but also helps stretch department budgets, reduce replacement cycles, and safeguard the people wearing the gear.
Want to learn more about storage systems that work as hard as your crew? Contact a Patterson Pope representative today to get started.