BA Flashcards
what is the BA set we use called
interspiro self contained BA set (SCBA)
what does the interspiro SCBA BA set come with
- BA computer (BAC)
- integrated ADSU
- Digital Display Unit (DDU)
- carbon fibre composite air cylinders
the interspiro SCBA BA set is a modular design, what 5 parts does it have
- incurve-E backplate and harness
- cylinder
- pneumatics
- facemask (inspire H pos. pressure mask)
- spiroGuideII DDU
name features of incurve-E backplate and harness
-height adjusted at hips (4points)
-facemask retaining clip located on right shoulder strap
-more weight at hips than shoulders to lower burns there (around 3/4 ratio)
AE (anti-entanglement strap) located at top of harness (roved through and onto of air cylinder)
where is the cylinder band located and what does it do
located at top of backplate and is used to secure the cylinder in place!
what are the 3 hoses used on a Interspiro SCBA BA set and what do they do?
- High pressure hose (middle hose), carries air from manifold to gauge and audible warning device on set
- Medium pressure hose (thickest hose), carries reduced pressure from the regulators to the facemask and breathing valve
- Electrical wire (from BAC TO DDU)
what does the DDU display
- on screen start up guide (general tests of BA set)
- cylinder pressure (analogue and digital readings)
- tally key (slots in top of DDU and is handed to ECO before entry and collected at end)
- electronic low pressure warning device (activates at 65bar by BAC and whistles until off)
- LED backlights for use in dark
where is the BAC located ?
mounted on cylinder manifold and connected via cable to DDU
what are some of the BA wearers responsibilities before use
- ensure tests on set are complete
- report defects to supervisory manager
- manage own air at all times
- ensure brief is fully understood before entering job)
- complete pre entry check (full body, face,hands covered)
- hand BA tally to ECO
- full PPE worn at all times
- test equip before entering risk area
- check cylinder contents immediately before entering risk area
- monitor pressure gauge/air consumption
- ensure face fit seal (in clean air)
what are the BA wearers responsibilities during use
- COMMS (regularly with teammate and Entry Control)
- respond to any distress signal units
- memorise in/out route
- transmit/recieve radio messages
- monitor climate and hazards
- report to BA entry control any issues!
what are the BA wearers responsibilities after use
- report back to BA sector after collecting tallies
- assist team with debriefing if needed
- draw basic plan of routes, hazards etc if needed
- if suffering from heat stress (relax PPE when instructed), cool down, rehydrate, rest and recoup.
- report any near misses, injuries etc immediately
if you wear BA for hard shift. how long should you rest and drink
1 hr rest and 1L water
if you wear BA for less difficult wear what’s your rest time and water consumption
30mins rest and 500ml water
what are the post BA wear hygiene routine
- ASAP wash and clean hands to lower contamination risk
- ensure kit cleaned fully, cylinders recharged and testes again
what are the duties of a BA team leader
- experienced BA wearer
- brief team fully before entry
- coordinate gauge checks
- ensure return to ECP before TOW (TIME OF WHISTLE)
- assess/monitor contitions
- update ECO using radio comms of changes to conditions etc
- respond to any distress signals
what is full duration
period where BA expected to provide respiratory protection from moment cylinder valve opened until contents exhausted
what is working duration
period where BA expected to provide respiratory protection from moment cylinder valve opened until moment where low pressure warning whistle starts to operate
what is the safety margin
period during which the low pressure warning whistle operates
what is the composition of air for inhalation and expiration
inhalation-nitrogen 79%,O2 21%, C02 0.03%
expiration -nitrogen 79%, 02 17%, CO2 4%
name factors affecting BRs (breathing rates)
- increased temp.
- smoke,toxic fumes and carbon monoxide
- work rate
- fitness
- illness
- mental/emtional state
how is heat lost on us
- vaporisation (lungs) 15%
- convection (movement of air on skin) 10%
- evaporation, sweating, breathing 25%
- radiation (infra red waves off our bodies) 50%
how is heat loss restricted for FFs
- fire kit (traps heat in)
- SCBA sets
- GTS
- environment (temp, humidity etc)
- work rate
- weather (sunny etc)
name 2 medical conditions associated with BA
- heat exhaustion (fixable)
- heat stroke (very rarely fixable)
what is heat exhaustion and name some symptoms
caused by excessive sweating.
- through fluid loss = more viscous blood, stiffening of arteries
- through electrolyte loss=cramps,headaches, nausea,collapse
*symptoms =weakness, dizziness, confusion,fast/shallow breathing
what is heat stroke and name symptoms
very rare, body can’t regulate own temp effectively
-symptoms=irrational, rapid bonding pulse, hot/dry flushed skin (early stages). ,drop/stop sweating, rapid increase in temp, collapse, coma,death (latter stages)
what are pyschological effects of excessive heat
- higher mental confusion
- lower cognitive skills
- aggression
- underestimate conditions
what are physiological effects of excessive heat
- lower work rate
- fatigue fast
- lower performance
- less manipulative skills
why is a BA board needed
- ensure safe ops.
- must be implemented as soon as decision taken to use BA
- IC applies appropriate level of control
name things considered when siting BA board
- size of risk area
- location of access points
- wind direction
- physical limitations of site
- likely development of incident
- is area safe
- no of floors involved
what are the 4 things in “take a knee”
- Refernce (location of search)
- Exit(s) (in buildings etc)
- Situation (gauge check, welfare,conditions)
- Talk (comms w/ each other and control board, share info)
when do you use rapid deployment
in exceptional circumstances
what are the 4 situations when rapid deployment is used
- immediate risk to life (in known local)
- limited resources (FF media or FFs)
- max BA wearers =2
- prevent sig. escalation (to buildings etc)