1007 - Grooming Standards

Question 1

Who shall maintain this document.

Answer 1

The Deputy Chief of Support Services or his/her designee

Question 2

Who shall be responsible for interpretation and enforcement of TFD grooming standards.

Answer 2

Company Officers and Supervisors

Question 3

What is Pseudofolliculitis?

Answer 3

An irritating, often painful condition, caused by ingrown hairs usually in the beard area.

Question 4

Who shall be the final authority on the interpretation of these grooming standards?

Answer 4

The Fire Chief

Question 5

General Guidelines

Hair

Answer 5

1. The length, style and bulk of an individual’s hair shall be such that the safe and effective use of all required personal protective equipment is ensured.
2. At no time shall an individual’s hair and/or clips or pins used to secure hair interfere with the safe operation, donning and/or seal of the SCBA facepiece.
   a. This includes meeting the TFD time standard of one minute or less for complete donning of the SCBA.
3. Hair shall look professional; neat, clean and well groomed.
4. The following guidelines shall apply for short hair styles:
   a. Hair shall not extend below the bottom of the uniform shirt collar.
   b. Hair may cover, but shall not extend below the bottom of the ear.
5. Longer hair is permitted provided it is secured at all times.
   a. Braiding and/or “pony tails” are acceptable means of securing hair.
   b. Clips or pins nearly matching hair color may be used to secure hair.
   Mi. Those wearing clips or pins must be able to don a Nomex hood.
6. Hair shall not stand up or extend more than two (2) inches from the head.
7. Bizarre or extreme hairstyles or hair colors that do not naturally occur in human hair are prohibited.

Question 6

General guidelines

Facial Hair

Answer 6

1. TFD personnel shall be clean-shaven.
2. Mustaches shall be neatly trimmed.
3. Mustaches shall not extend laterally more than one (1) inch from the corner of the mouth and shall not extend more than one (1) inch below the corner of the mouth.
4. Facial hair immediately below the lower lip shall not exceed one (1) inch in any direction.
5. TFD personnel with Pseudofolliculitis (PFB) and a note from his/her health care provider (HCP) will be permitted to use special beard trimmers in lieu of shaving.
6. Mustache and facial hair shall not extend into the peripheral seal of the SCBA face piece.

Question 7

Sideburns

Answer 7

1. Sideburns shall be neatly trimmed.
2. Sideburns shall not extend below the bottom of the ear.
3. Sideburns shall not exceed more than one and one-half (1½) inches in width.

Question 8

Jewelry and Body Piercing

Answer 8

1. Exposed jewelry, including that associated with any type of body piercing, shall not be worn on duty with the following exceptions:
   a. Wristwatches
   b. Rings may be worn on fingers if they are of a type that minimizes the potential for injury to the wearer and do not interfere with quick donning of gloves.

Question 9

Tattoos

Answer 9

1. Tattoos, brandings, and/or other body markings associated with gangs, supremacists and/or extremist groups shall not be allowed.
2. Other types of tattoos, brandings, and/or other body markings shall not be offensive or vulgar.