The Best Washing Machine for Firefighter Gear
The call to duty often leaves firefighters with gear caked in soot, ash, and toxic chemicals. These materials are not just dirty—they can be extremely dangerous. Hand scrubbing is labor-intensive and exposes the washer to hazardous substances.
While many households rely on regular washing machines to clean clothes, these aren't cut out for the specialized firefighter gear. They often perform a lackluster job and can potentially compromise the gear’s protective properties.
Industrial-grade PPE washing machines like the Gladiator 911 are purpose-built to clean firefighter gear. Investing in the right washer pays dividends through increased safety, efficiency, and compliance.
Read on to learn more about choosing the best washing machine for firefighter gear.
WHY PROPER CLEANING IS CRUCIAL
Properly cleaning firefighter PPE keeps it functioning at optimal levels. Firefighters regularly expose their gear to smoke, soot, blood, and hazardous materials, necessitating thorough cleaning and disinfection. Effective washing removes dangerous contaminants while maintaining the protective qualities of the equipment.
Neglecting to clean PPE correctly puts firefighters at risk. Toxic residue left on dirty gear can get absorbed through the skin. Airborne carcinogens from contaminated equipment can also be inhaled. Dirty PPE also spreads contaminants throughout firetrucks and the firehouse, potentially harming many more people.
EXTRACTOR WASHER LIMITATIONS
Extractor washers are heavy-duty machines that offer a higher level of cleaning than household washing machines. However, they are not a catch-all solution when it comes to firefighter gear. Their design can handle standard items like jackets and pants but falls short in cleaning non-standard equipment like boots, helmets, and SCBA gear.
The Gladiator 911 from Arnold Machine is more reliable and safer than hand washing, and superior to extractor washers. The Gladiator can clean a complete gear set in a single wash, including helmets, boots, and SCBA equipment. It doesn’t expose anyone to harmful chemicals, and it fills the gaps left by traditional extractor washers.
THE GLADIATOR 911: A COMPREHENSIVE CLEANING SOLUTION
At Arnold Machine, we saw a need for a high-quality PPE gear washer that would last for decades. We spoke with many firefighters and PPE cleaning companies. We discovered that they found existing PPE gear washers weak, ineffective, and lacking. Many are not very durable, and will likely need replacing in just a few years. We were confident we could build a better machine than any other option on the market.
For over 30 years, we’ve designed and built high-quality, custom industrial parts washers. It was only natural that we applied our experience to create the very best firefighter gear washer. Our team of expert and seasoned designers, engineers, techs, and skilled tradespeople put significant time and resources into perfecting our PPE washers at every stage.
While we do know everything about building a high-quality industrial parts washer, there were a few things we initially didn’t know about PPE gear washers. So, we partnered and consulted with firefighters, distributors, chemists, NFPA experts, and gear manufacturers to ensure we built the best washer. Period.
We’re proud to say that the Gladiator 911 offers unmatched performance and durability. It's a comprehensive gear washer capable of handling two sets of firefighting gear while meeting safety compliance standards.
The Gladiator 911 stands out from the competition for several important reasons:
Build Quality
Cleaning firefighting gear requires a durable machine to avoid breakdowns and resist rust. We crafted the Gladiator 911 from 12-gauge 304 stainless steel to prevent corrosion common with many washers crafted from lesser quality steel.
We’re so confident in the performance and durability of the Gladiator 911 that we offer a lifetime guarantee on the shell and a two-year parts warranty. Best of all, we only use parts readily available on the market. This means we can ship a replacement part to you in record time. However, none of our parts are proprietary, so should you need a part before we can get it to you, it will likely be available locally.
Each Gladiator 911 undergoes rigorous testing before shipment. We use high-quality components and perform multiple checks on all machined parts. The machines also undergo many cycles to ensure optimal performance before shipment.
Cleaning Efficiency
The Gladiator 911 offers top-tier cleaning efficiency. It boasts a system that pumps 45 gallons of cleaning solution per minute at 40 psi. The result is an efficient and deep clean that tackles stubborn contaminants.
Unlike traditional methods that require manual labor, the Gladiator 911 needs just one operator. This frees up human resources, allowing team members to focus on other tasks within the facility. The level of automation increases both the volume and efficiency of cleaning.
The benefits for fire departments are considerable. PPE washers like Gladiator 911 clean more gear quickly and safely. This efficiency translates to cost and time savings, ensuring firefighters always have clean and safe equipment at the ready.
User Friendliness
Operating the Gladiator 911 is as simple as it gets. Load your gear, press the start button, and let the machine take over from there. You won't need any specialized training to get the job done.
The focus on the user goes beyond just operating the machine. We designed the Gladiator so that it’s easy to work on. Unlike some competing gear washers, you won’t find any proprietary parts that will allow you to enjoy hassle-free maintenance and repairs.
Safety & Compliance
Using the Gladiator 911 minimizes exposure to contaminated gear. Simply place the items in the washer and let the machine do the dirty work. An integrated door switch prevents the operator from accidentally opening the door and getting sprayed. The level control switch protects the pump and heater by ensuring the water level never drops too low, which could damage the machine.
Automated dosing systems manage the amount of wash solution. This prevents overdosing, which can harm gear, and under-dosing—which could result in inadequate cleaning. This feature not only maintains the integrity of your equipment but also reduces direct contact with concentrated solutions.
We’re currently collaborating with NFPA experts and gear manufacturers to uphold top safety standards. Additionally, we're preparing for potential changes in NFPA 1851 guidelines that might affect our PPE gear washers. While the process for NFPA certification for PPE washers is ongoing and may take years, we remain committed to exceeding current standards.
Seamless Electrical Integration
One of the overlooked aspects of specialized washers is their electrical requirements. Gladiator 911 sidesteps this issue by being designed for easy electrical integration. It operates on a 230V single-phase electric hookup, making it compatible with U.S. and Canadian electrical systems.
Arnold Machine holds a UL 508A certification that ensures our industrial control panels meet strict safety and performance standards. The Gladiator 911 is also CSA approved, the standard published by the Canadian Standards Association on the installation and maintenance of electrical equipment in Canada. These designations are a testament to our commitment to quality and provide our customers with an extra layer of assurance.
Warranty and Maintenance
The Gladiator 911 offers a lifetime warranty on its shell and a two-year warranty on parts, significantly lowering long-term expenses. This durability makes it a trusted investment for fire departments.
A qualified maintenance crew can quickly service the Gladiator 911 due to its easily off-the-shelf replaceable parts. A simple weekly check for water quality ensures consistent top-tier performance. You’ll need to drain and assess the tank every 2-3 weeks.
Dependable Customer Support
Arnold Machine has over 35 years of experience designing and building high-quality industrial parts washers in the United States. Our excellent customer service team ensures quick resolution of technical issues with our washers.
Our stellar customer support doesn't end after purchase. We provide ongoing assistance with maintenance, troubleshooting, repairs, and operation training for the washer's lifetime. Our priority is keeping your washer running optimally.
GLADIATOR 911 VS. SOLO RESCUE VS. MEIKO
The Gladiator 911 industrial PPE washer stands above two other competing PPE washer models – the Solo Rescue Decon Washer and the Meiko TOPCLEAN D. While these machines aim to clean fire department gear, they lack the heavy-duty construction and specialized performance of the American-designed and built Gladiator 911.
Unlike the Gladiator 911, neither the Solo Rescue nor the Meiko are manufactured in the United States. The Gladiator's domestic manufacturing and assembly in Ohio ensures it meets Buy American regulations that many fire departments face. The foreign production of the Solo Rescue and Meiko could present a drawback in adhering to those purchasing requirements.
The Solo Rescue and Meiko use lower-quality stainless steel prone to rust. They also require three-phase electricity (that’s harder to integrate into a US facility), while the Gladiator 911 only needs a standard single-phase hookup. Solo now offers a washer that uses single-phase electricity, but it can only wash one set of gear at a time, while Gladiator can wash two sets simultaneously.
The Solo Rescue Decon Washer utilizes quality components, including a specialized rotating basket constructed from stainless steel. However, it lacks the reinforced 12 gauge stainless steel construction and industrial-grade parts of the Gladiator 911. Overall, the Solo Rescue simply does not match the sheer strength and durability of the Gladiator for prolonged use cleaning heavy turnout gear.
While the German-engineered Meiko TOPCLEAN D touts a reputation in commercial dishwashing, it appears to use standard stainless steel without reinforcement. The Meiko lacks the rugged build required for the intense cleaning demands of fire department PPE loads. It is prone to dents and corrosion over time, making it a poor choice for fire station use.
Check out our in-depth Gladiator 911 vs. Solo Rescue vs. Meiko TopClean D comparison here.
THE GLADIATOR 911 PPE GEAR WASHER—IN A LEAGUE OF ITS OWN
Outfitting your firehouse with the right gear washer is crucial for proper PPE maintenance. The unmatched cleaning capabilities and rugged construction of the Gladiator 911 make it the ideal choice.
Click below to learn how much a high-quality PPE gear washer costs.