Your structural firefighting hood is one of the most important pieces of PPE you wear on the job. It protects your head, neck, and face from heat and dangerous particulates.  

But like any gear, it’s crucial that you maintain them. The first step in maintenance is knowing when something is wrong—you can’t fix what you don’t know about. Inspections are essential to ensure your hood performs in the heat of battle.  

In this quick guide, we’ll cover the basics of inspections as outlined in NFPA 1850, which sets standards for PPE care and maintenance. 

1. Check for Rips, Tears, and Wear

Start by examining the hood’s exterior and interior for visible damage. That can include physical damage like rips, tears, and cuts, or thermal damage like burns or discoloration.   

Note that as traditional knit hoods are phased out by NFPA 1970, all hoods will be particulate blocking. For those hoods, pay close attention to the areas with particulate-blocking material, as these sections are critical for preventing harmful particles from reaching your skin.  

2. Examine for Fit

Hoods are meant to fit snugly onto the face and neck. That’s why it’s critical to check for any loss in face opening adjustments. If that area of the hood is compromised, it might not fit correctly and could increase fireground exposures (both heat and contaminants).  

3. Look at the Seams

It’s especially important to look at the seams of the hood. These are areas where fabric is sewn together and a common failure point. Look for issues like broken or missing stitches, which could worsen over time and compromise the integrity of the hood’s structure.  

4. Perform the Light Test

Not all damage is easy to see. That’s where the light test comes in. Hold the hood up to a bright light source and look for spots where light shines through. If light passes through the fabric, it likely means there’s a broken seam or damaged material that could fail under stress or provide inadequate protection. 

This simple test can reveal hidden weaknesses that visual checks might miss.

5.Make Inspections a Habit

NFPA 1850 emphasizes routine inspection and maintenance for all PPE, including hoods. These standards exist to keep firefighters safe by ensuring gear performs as intended. Make hood inspection part of your regular gear check—especially after heavy fireground activity or multiple washes. 

6. Keep It Clean and Maintained

Remember that inspection is only part of the gear care process. Cleaning not only keeps you safer from fireground contaminants, it can even help extend the life of your hood. Contaminants from smoke and soot can degrade fabric over time.  

That’s where professional Independent Service Providers (ISPs) like Gear Wash come in. Advanced cleaning ensures your hood is cleaner, while maintenance services can help repair any issues that do come up. ISPs can help you know when your hood should be replaced if the damage is too severe. 

Final Thoughts 

Your hood is a frontline defense against heat and carcinogens. Regular inspections—combined with professional cleaning and maintenance—are key to staying safe. You count on your hood to provide protection out there; your hood counts on you for proper inspection and maintenance.