IDS brings a new standard of PPE care and decontamination to the UK
Industrial Decontamination Services UK (IDS UK) is bringing a new standard of PPE decontamination to the UK fire, emergency services and industrial sectors, with a new specialist facility being established in Northamptonshire.
Backed by more than 30 years of proven expertise in Australia, the company is developing a state-of-the-art PPE decontamination facility that is due to open by the end of the year.
Designed to support modern operational demands, the facility will provide a complete service covering the cleaning, decontamination, repair, tracking and lifecycle care of emergency services and industrial PPE.
Specialist PPE decontamination for critical equipment
IDS’s specialist decontamination processes have been developed specifically for protective clothing and equipment.
The company’s low-temperature approach is designed to help protect the integrity and longevity of PPE while delivering effective cleaning and decontamination. Once the new facility is operational, it will provide full decontamination to NFPA 1850 standards alongside thorough asbestos-level decontamination.
The approach is designed to help fire and emergency services maintain the performance of critical protective equipment while reducing the potential impact that repeated high-temperature cleaning can have on PPE lifespan.
The independent nature of IDS UK also means the company is not tied to a particular PPE supplier. This gives customers greater flexibility and allows the service to focus on performance, equipment care and operational outcomes.
Tracking PPE throughout its lifecycle
In addition to PPE decontamination, IDS UK will provide live asset tracking to give firefighters and administrators greater visibility of equipment throughout its lifecycle.
The company’s tracking platform will allow users to monitor equipment status, helping simplify PPE management and provide greater reassurance about the condition and availability of critical equipment.
The service will cover both protective clothing and equipment, including operational jackets and trousers, SCBA masks, boots and helmets.
A planned 48-hour turnaround is designed to support operational requirements and minimise equipment downtime while meeting agreed KPIs.
Supporting fire and rescue services
Ben Jones, Managing Director of IDS Group, said the new UK operation combines technology, sustainable processes and simplified pricing to help fire and rescue services protect their people and extend the life of PPE.
He said:
“IDS UK combines world-leading technology, proven sustainable processes and competitive, simplified pricing to help fire and rescue services to protect their people, extend PPE life and gain confidence that critical equipment is ready when it matters most.”
Jones also highlighted the growing discussion around PPE cleaning and decontamination in the UK, particularly the balance between effective contamination removal and protecting the lifespan of protective equipment.
He said IDS has developed a low-temperature PPE decontamination process that aims to achieve asbestos-level cleaning standards while helping extend the typical life of firefighting ensembles.
According to Jones, the service is also designed to provide greater transparency around cleaning requirements and costs.
Operational resilience and reduced downtime
For fire and rescue services, PPE availability is closely linked to operational resilience.
Jones said conversations with UK fire and rescue services had highlighted the importance of real-time PPE tracking, tracing and minimal downtime, particularly at a time when organisations are managing tight budgets.
The IDS model is designed to address these requirements through a combination of decontamination, repair, tracking and lifecycle management.
Jones added:
“IDS has been doing this in Australia for over 30 years and our tried and tested complete care service works.”
The company’s experience in Australia provides the foundation for its expansion into the UK market, with the Northamptonshire facility representing the first stage of its planned UK growth.
Australian customers highlight the service
IDS’s existing customers in Australia have also highlighted the benefits of its approach.
Louise Christie, Emergency Services Logistics Coordinator and an IDS customer in Australia, said:
“The speed and reliability of the IDS service has had a significant impact on our operations. Their efficient collection, decontamination and return process consistently delivers outstanding turnaround times, helping us to keep our teams equipped and operational.”
Mark Teale, Emergency Services Procurement Lead and another Australian customer, highlighted the impact of the company’s garment care and decontamination service.
He said:
“The quality of decontamination and garment care provided by IDS has helped extend the lifespan of our PPE while giving our teams greater confidence in the safety of their equipment.”
These experiences demonstrate the role that specialist PPE care can play in helping organisations maintain equipment, manage operational demands and support the long-term use of protective clothing.
Expanding PPE decontamination services across the UK
The Northamptonshire facility is intended to provide a dedicated UK base for IDS’s specialist PPE decontamination and lifecycle services.
Ben Jones said the Northants facility would be the beginning of a wider UK expansion, with the company planning to establish additional sites as the business grows.
For further information please visit IDS UK website.
