Body armor becomes a vital protection system for workers who face danger in their Canadian jobs. You should maintain your body armor properly to keep it safe for future use. When you do not take good care of your armor it breaks down and weakens the ability to shield you. This guide presents all safe methods to take care of your body armor in Canada.
Our guide explains how body armor functions as its parts
You need to learn about body armor elements first before moving on to cleaning steps.
- The outer carrier exists as the fabric outer layer that contains ballistic protection elements.
- Ballistic Panels include both soft and hard protection elements inside armored fabric housings.
- Additional protecting pads help the armor absorb shocks and diminish damage.
- Different cleaning methods must be applied to each part of body armor to keep it functional.
How to Clean Soft Body Armor
You need special treatment to maintain the protective value of Kevlar or similar ballistic fabric soft body armor.
- Cleaning the Outer Carrier
- Wash the soft body armor without the ballistic elements.
- Wash your garments by hand or through a low-speed machine in combination with gentle soap.
- Skip using chemical detergents because they damage body armor material.
- Let ballistic panels reach total dryness before reattaching them.
- Cleaning the Ballistic Panels
- Use only a soft cloth wet with mild soap water to clean the material.
- Moisture harms ballistic fibers so keep them away from water.
- You should let the ballistic panels fully dry in the air before putting them back in the carrier.
- General Maintenance Tips for Soft Armor
- Keep ballistic panels flat on a hanging system at all times.
- Store the panels in a place protected from sunlight and heat plus moisture.
- Check for issues with the fabric on a daily basis.
How to Clean Hard Body Armor
Body armor plates made of hard materials including ceramic, polyethylene and steel have unique maintenance demands from soft body armor.
- Wiping Down Hard Plates
- Wash dirty and sweaty areas with a very soft cloth that contains mild soap.
- Stay away from abrasive cleaning tools that can harm the body armor surface.
- Do not put the body armor in water because moisture causes performance failures.
- Checking for Damage
Check the armor for any broken or damaged areas and detect damage that occurred from a forceful impact. Replace armor plates right away after they show damage.
- Save plates for storage in a spot that is both temperatures controlled and dry.
- Storage and Handling Best Practices
- The correct storage method in Canada improves the durability of body armor while keeping it operational.
- Keep the equipment in an open space that stays dry to fight mold and mildew.
- Keep the equipment away from hot and humid conditions including car trunks.
- Keep your armor in a separate storage bag made for protection from debris.
Conclusion
Regular body armor upkeep in Canada keeps equipment both safe and dependable for protection purposes. Using correct armor cleaning methods and storage procedures helps you maintain its effectiveness throughout its longer operational life. Look at the product instructions and examine your gear often to keep it ready for use.