4 Maintenance
US MSA Cairns® 1836 15
4.3 Routine Inspection
WARNING!
Failure to follow the recommended inspection procedures can reduce fire helmet performance and result in serious
personal injury, disease, illness, or death.
• Replace the helmet after it has withstood an impact, even if there is no visible damage.
• In case of visible damage identified during the routine inspection (before or after use), such as impacts, significant
scratches, coating removal on the shell or visors, melted parts, broken parts, torn straps or padding, missing
components, non-operational moving parts (such as visors or ratchet), etc., the fire helmet should be taken to the
trained maintenance technician or an MSA approved maintenance center.
• Do not use a fire helmet that has damage.
• Do not attempt to test the fire helmet. The performance properties of the fire helmet and its components cannot be
properly tested by a user in the field.
Failure to follow these warnings can result in serious personal injury or death.
Inspect the fire helmet after each use for the following signs of damage from impact and thermal exposure. If any of these
conditions exist, remove the fire helmet from service immediately and repair or replace it as applicable.
Component Inspection Procedure
Fire Helmet Shell If any of the following conditions exist, replace the entire fire helmet ensemble:
• Soiling, contamination, or physical damage to the shell, including:
○ any stress cracks,
○ any size cracks that goes completely through the shell,
○ any crack greater than 1 inch in length,
○ visual evidence of misaligned helmet surfaces and/or exposed fibers,
○ crazing,
○ dents,
○ abrasions,
○ exposed glass fibers.
• Thermal damage to the shell, including:
○ bubbling,
○ soft spots,
○ warping,
○ discoloration.
• Dull or chalky finish
Impact Cap If any of the following conditions exist, replace the impact cap:
• Cracks
• Depressions or dents equal to or larger than a thumbnail
• Punctures, blisters, or discoloration due to impact, excessive heat, or normal wear
• Burnt/charred areas due to excessive heat
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