Personal Protective Equipment Solutions
Protect What Protects You - Go Beyond Cleaning with Advanced CO2 Decon
Tersus Solutions is a leader in advanced PPE decontamination and cleaning, dedicated to protecting the health and safety of firefighters. Using patented liquid COâ‚‚ (LCOâ‚‚) technology, Tersus removes hazardous contaminants embedded deep within turnout gear—helping reduce long-term exposure risks while extending the life and performance of critical protective equipment.
PPE Shipping Address
Tersus Solutions - Fire
1600 W. Dartmouth Ave
Door 5, West Side
Englewood, CO 80110
Decontamination that Removes up to 98% of Carcinogens
Tersus Solutions pioneered true decontamination of firefighter gear in conjunction with the Belgian Federal Government beginning in 2015.


Through observed testing with Centexbel, a textile lab in Belgium, gear cleaned with the Tersus Solutions CO2 process showed a carcinogen removal rate of 98%. Subsequent testing with North Carolina State confirmed these results, released in 2022. Additional testing through UL showed a removal rate of 98%.


In contrast, gear washed in traditional water wash methods was observed to have only a 56% removal rate.
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For too long, firefighter gear cleaning has been limited by technology.
Conventional water-based cleaning of fire PPE cannot thoroughly penetrate & remove contaminants from all layers of the gear. The residual contaminants stay in the gear long after an incident and over 50% stay in even after conventional washing. ​


This is why Tersus Solutions developed and customized our equipment specifically for decontamination of this gear. Removing carcinogens results in cleaner gear, safer gear and longer lasting gear. ​
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How It Works
Tersus Solutions has designed and built the first and only CO2 based process specifically for firefighter decontamination in the world.
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Due to the natural properties of CO2, the gear can be decontaminated fully assembled, saving time and money. Furthermore, since CO2 returns to a gas state at normal atmospheric pressures, the gear comes out dry. This saves 24 hours of time that the gear would normally have to sit in a drying room, getting back in service faster.
Technical Fabric Cleaning
Working with partners at the U.S. Navy, Centexbel, and H.P. White, Tersus developed customized cycle parameters optimized for the materials used to construct fire turnout gear, including:
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Nomex
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Kevlar
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Aramid Batt
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Leather
Fabric & Garment Longevity
The Tersus Solutions Process ensures that apparel performance, size, and color won’t degrade by mechanical action or excessive heat. In a 50 cycle test, Tersus Solutions demonstrated substantially less fiber degradation while maintaining the following:
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Color
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Size
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Retro-reflectivity
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Performance coatings (e.g. DWR, flame retardant, oil repellant)
Proven by Testing. Trusted in the Field.
Gentle Enough For Bullet Proof Vests and Body Amour
The Tersus CO2 process has been used to sanitize PPE for the US Navy and US Army with positive results after extensive testing. The performance of the protection remained even after several cycles. The process preserves special features of the gear from technical fabrics to coating such as water or oil repellants and special strategic coatings.


A great deal of cleaning tests have been done on military and law enforcement ballistic vest to ensure the process does not degrade the effectiveness of the protection. In some cases it was found to improve performance when compared to the same item prior to processing. The lack of water and heat in the Tersus process allow the process to be less invasive than most methods. Some items are forced to be labeled "hand clean only" due to the aggressiveness of traditional methods, however that does not yield much sanitation. This leads to more frequent replacement, and diminished protection as the gear ages.
Strategic Partner
Other Partners
Russ Snider
Orange County Fire Authority
“One significant thing that I noticed was the complete absence of fire smell on the gear.”
Battalion Chief Josh Kelch
Puget Sound Fire Authority
"We are witnessing a cultural shift in the fire service. A shift that acknowledges health hazards not just at the fireground, but after it. A shift that says decontamination, regular gear cleaning, and proactive health screening are not optional, they’re essential."
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JON FONTENOT,
BELTON TX FIRE DEPARTMENT
"We recently had three sets of gear cleaned through Tersus Solutions using the COâ‚‚ process, and the experience was excellent. The turnaround time was quick, and the entire process—from coordination to delivery—was smooth and hassle-free. Most importantly, the gear came back exceptionally clean and fully service-ready. It’s clear that your process is not only efficient but also effective in maintaining the integrity of the PPE."
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Tersus PPE History
2009
2009
2014
2015
Pioneered the first decontamination process of firefighter gear in conjunction with the Belgian Federal Government
Developed custom process for Lithium-ion decontamination in partnership with Orange County Fire Authority
2024
2024
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Developed CO2 process approved for Cleanroom Textiles
2022
Tersus Solutions was founded in 2009 in Denver, Colorado with a mission of building a better CO2 textile cleaning machine.
Proved Successful Cleaning of IOTV (Ballistic Vest) with US Army
2016
2022
LION TotalCare launches "Red Zone CO2" Decontamination for PPE powered by Tersus Solutions
Deployed CO2 for Military PPE with the US Navy
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LION TotalCare launches second facility with RedZone CO2 powered by Tersus in Chicago.
LION TotalCare launches third facility with RedZone CO2 powered by Tersus in Kent, Washington.
Media Mentions
How can we help you?
Tersus meets departments where they are. Whether you choose to own or lease a Tersus COâ‚‚ cleaning system, work with a certified Independent Service Provider (ISP), or send gear directly to Tersus for professional cleaning and decontamination, our team ensures the same proven process, consistent results, and firefighter-first standards every time.
From single stations to large metropolitan departments, Tersus provides flexible, scalable solutions designed to support NFPA-aligned care practices, operational efficiency, and long-term firefighter health. However you engage with us, our mission remains the same: to help make the gear that protects firefighters safer—so they can focus on protecting others.
Tersus Solutions
Protecting What Protects You