For years, guidance on the care and maintenance of personal protective equipment (PPE) has lived across multiple National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, NFPA 1851 and NFPA 1852. With the introduction of NFPA 1850, Standard on Selection, Care and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural and Proximity Firefighting and Open‑Circuit Self‑Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), those expectations have been brought together into a single, consolidated standard — carrying forward familiar principles while updating them to reflect how testing, documentation and maintenance are approached today.
What is the spotlight series, and who is it for?
The on‑demand videos below feature UL Solutions subject matter experts outlining what has changed under NFPA 1850 and why it matters to the work behind fire service readiness. Each video translates specific updates into practical insight for real‑world testing and maintenance.
Who is it for?
- Independent Service Providers (ISPs) seeking verified cleaning, inspection and/or repair services to build market trust.
- Fire departments performing in‑house cleaning who want data on cleaning effectiveness using a process similar to the NFPA 1850 program.
- Manufacturers and PPE stakeholders who need third‑party testing and certification to relevant NFPA, ANSI/ISEA, ASTM, ISO and EN standards.
Water hardness, detergent pH change and maximum temperature change
NFPA 1850 introduces updated parameters for water hardness, detergent pH and maximum wash temperatures used during the laundering of PPE. These updates also provide clearer guidance on the parameters used when laundering firefighter gear.
In this on-demand video, subject matter experts explain how the revised thresholds affect cleaning. The discussion highlights why these variables matter for long‑term garment performance and what manufacturers should consider when aligning internal procedures with the current expectations.
Involvement of field engineering
NFPA 1850 places greater emphasis on the role of field engineering in supporting compliant care and maintenance practices for PPE equipment. This reflects a broader shift toward aligning laboratory evaluation with field‑based conditions and observations.
This video explores how field engineering contributes to testing oversight, data validation and interpretation of results under the consolidated standard. Our experts share insight into how technical expertise applied outside the laboratory can support consistency, documentation and confidence when navigating evolving requirements.
Ballast and surrogate garment changes
Updates to ballast and surrogate garment requirements represent a notable change under NFPA 1850. These elements play a critical role in how testing is performed.
This expert walkthrough focuses on what has changed, why these updates were introduced, and how they affect test setup and outcomes. The video also addresses practical considerations for manufacturers and test programs adapting to revised configurations under the new consolidated standard.
Mandatory reporting of test results on Product iQ®
NFPA 1850 introduces mandatory reporting of specific test results through Product iQ, increasing expectations for transparency, traceability and data consistency.
This video explains what information must now be reported, how reporting supports oversight, and why standardized data submission matters for compliance and market confidence. Subject matter experts outline how these requirements affect documentation practices and what organizations should understand when reviewing test results under the updated standard.
Optional tests
In addition to required evaluations, NFPA 1850 includes optional tests that may be used to support broader performance assessment or product development objectives.
This walkthrough provides context on when optional testing may be appropriate, how it complements required evaluations and what insights it can provide beyond baseline compliance. The discussion helps viewers understand how optional tests fit within the overall framework of the standard and how they may support data‑driven decisions.
From understanding to application
NFPA 1850 introduces meaningful updates to how PPE is evaluated, documented and maintained. As those updates are put into practice, UL Solutions supports the work that helps safety equipment perform reliably when it matters most.
Contact us to learn more about how our science‑based testing, certification and technical expertise can help you support product performance and proactive alignment with evolving fire service expectations.
