Your Fire-Dex protective footwear is manufactured to comply with the following standards:

  • NFPA 1971, Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting, current edition
  • NFPA 1990 (1992), Standard for Protective Ensembles for Hazardous Materials and CBRN Operations, current edition

WARNING: Fire Fighting is an ultra-hazardous, unavoidably dangerous activity. To reduce your risk of death, burns, injuries, diseases and illnesses, you must carefully read and strictly follow this entire User Information Guide and all labels on your Fire-Dex footwear. Do not use your footwear until you have been thoroughly trained by your department or employer in fire fighting tactics, safety procedures and the proper use of your Fire-Dex Footwear.

The AHJ shall comply with the requirements of NFPA 1891 for the selection, care, and maintenance of protection ensemble and elements. For users in countries other than the United States, users are required to comply with national or other applicable personal protective equipment regulations.

PRE-USE INFORMATION: Your Fire-Dex footwear is intended to provide limited protection for your feet, ankles and the lower part of your legs as part of a properly selected and configured protective ensemble during structural fire fighting or proximity firefighting, or liquid splash hazardous materials emergencies. Even when correctly used and maintained, Fire_Dex footwear will not eliminate the dangers and risks of fire fighting. Your Fire-Dex footwear must fit properly and interface with your protective ensemble so that no gaps in coverage occur during all ranges of movement. Do not use your Fire-Dex footwear if it does not interface properly with other protective equipment. DO NOT USE TAPE AS A MEANS FOR CREATING INTERFACES BETWEEN ENSEMBLE ELEMENTS.

Your use of Fire-Dex footwear shall be consistent with NFPA 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program, Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations Part 1910.132. You must clean, maintain, and store your Fire-Dex footwear per NFPA 1851, Standard on Selection, Care and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting. Failure to do so will increase your risk of injury or death.

Your Fire-Dex footwear may be marked using an indelible ink marker if allowed by your department. Do not otherwise alter your footwear in any way as it may increase your risk of injury or death.

Your department must independently evaluate the suitability of Fire-Dex footwear on a regular basis to determine when the footwear must be removed from service. Do not continue to use footwear that is damaged, contaminated, or otherwise does not pass inspection. Even when properly maintained the protective qualities of Fire-Dex footwear will diminish over time and will need to be replaced for your safety.

Most performance properties of Fire-Dex footwear cannot be tested by the end user in the field; however, it is the responsibility of the end user to inspect the footwear regularly. It is also the responsibility of the end user to become familiar with the applicable NFPA and OSHA standards. The moisture barrier has not been evaluated for all chemicals that can be encountered during fire fighting operations. The effects of chemical exposure on the moisture barrier are to be evaluated by the user per the inspection procedures in the NFPA 1851

WARRANTY: Fire-Dex, LLC warrants its footwear to be free from defects in workmanship for the serviceable life of the product when used by appropriately trained personnel following proper fire fighting procedures and when the product's warning use and care instructions are followed.

Inasmuch as Fire-Dex, LLC has no control over the manner or way in which our product is used after it leaves our facility, we cannot be responsible by warranty or otherwise for results or effect of its use. Please follow the criteria established by your department to determine the suitability of our product for its particular application.

ROUTINE INSPECTION: Inspect footwear prior to each use. For best results, clean the footwear before inspection. Inspection shall be on a regular basis, at least once per month or after evidence of damage or contamination. Inspect the footwear for cleanliness, contamination, heat damage, fabric or material damage, thread or seam damage, discoloration, continued reflectivity of reflective trim, cracks, worn areas, etc. If damage has occurred, the footwear should be taken out of service for repair, cleaning and/or disposal.

DONNING/DOFFING: The integrity, fit and proper assembly of your footwear shall be checked prior to each use. Wear socks that will not melt easily when exposed to high heat conditions. Adjust the footwear so that it interfaces with all component elements including your turnout pants being sure there are no gaps altering the protection in any body position that could be encountered during use.
If your footwear is contaminated, wearing protective gloves, remove your footwear and inspect it for any damage or change in condition. If damage or change in condition is noted, bring this to the immediate attention of your department. The damage or change in condition shall be corrected before you use your footwear again.

MAINTENANCE, CLEANING & STORAGE: Do not use footwear that has not been thoroughly cleaned and dried. Footwear shall be hand washed. Do not machine wash or dry clean.

Hand Washing/Drying: Fill basin with warm water (105o – 110o F) and add a mild detergent. DO NOT USE CHLORINE BLEACH or oxygenated cleaners as these will diminish the protective qualities of the footwear. Protective gloves must be worn to protect against heat and contamination.

  • Hand wash thoroughly by scrubbing with a soft bristle brush removing all debris. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
  • Air dry your footwear using either forced ventilation or by placing the footwear on a rack with maximum air exposure out of direct sunlight. Do not machine dry.
  • Dispose of all wastewater according to local, state and federal standards.
  • Inspect footwear prior to each use. Do not use footwear that is still contaminated.

If footwear is no longer contaminated and no damage or change in condition is noted, store your footwear in a clean, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight and sharp objects that could cause damage. Historically, protective footwear has been shown to have a useful service life of 5 years or less depending on conditions of wear, maintenance and storage.

RETIREMENT & DISPOSAL CRITERIA: Dispose of footwear that has been exposed to extreme heat hazardous materials or that fail to pass inspection procedures defined by your department. If your footwear has been contaminated with hazardous materials, blood, body fluids or other chemicals, isolate and bag the footwear avoiding contact with the contaminated footwear. Dispose of footwear according to local, state and federal standards.