Initial Inspection/Disposal Criteria
- Inspect the following:
- Shelter – Do not open polyvinyl liner for inspection.
- Fire shelters manufactured prior to 2006 should be removed from service as per NWCG Equipment Advisory 22-03. This can be determined by either a white or pink colored paper insert label inside of the polyvinyl chloride bag.
- Check to ensure that the bag has been modified to include small slits under the pull tabs as per NWCG Equipment Advisory 21-01. Retro fitted bags will have a yellow dot sticker on the bag. New bags will have the slits and no sticker.
- Inspect polyvinyl bag for cuts, puncture, or torn seams. If the bag has any anomaly that may affect the integrity of the bag or the shelter, remove shelter from service.
- Inspect that the red pull rings are unbroken and the quick-opening tear strip is sealed to the bag the entire length and is unbroken. Dispose of shelters with damaged or missing red tear strip.
- Look through bag at the shelter for tears in shelter material along seams. If any tears are evident in the shelter material or polyvinyl bag, or if significant gray discoloration of the interior of the polyvinyl bag has obscured interior inspection, remove shelter from service and dispose.
- Further inspection should include identifying PVC bags which have unreinforced yellow pull tabs. Per Cache Memo #07-4 “Polyvinyl Bag Retrofit” Some shelters may have a glued webbing reinforcement visible on the PVC bag yellow pull strap. Any shelter lacking webbing reinforcement (glued or stitched) should be removed from service.
- Fire shelters with a yellow re-bag label or lacking any label inside of the PVC bag should be removed from service.
- Shelter – Do not open polyvinyl liner for inspection.
- Return to stock if item is new or like new, passes inspection, and does not require refurbishment.
- Refurbish if item passes inspection but light cleaning is required.
- Dispose of item if it fails inspection.
- Shelters that show signs of damage can be used as practice shelters. Clearly identify each as PRACTICE ONLY. This item may be used for practice when clearly marked as practice only.
Refurbishing Procedures
A. Cleaning
Do not open polyvinyl liner for refurbishment.
- Clean the Shelter with a damp cloth.
B. Repair
- None
C. Testing for performance
- None
D. Repackaging
- 10 each in NFES #008072 carton (24” x 12” x 10”).