Breathing Apparatus Flashcards
What is the composition of inhaled air?
Nitrogen (N2): 79%
Oxygen (O2): 21%
Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Trace
What is the composition of exhaled air?
Nitrogen (N2): 79%
Oxygen (O2): 17%
Carbon Dioxide (CO2): 4%
State 4 respiratory hazards a firefighter may encounter in a fire.
H: High air temperature
O: Oxygen deficiency
T: Toxic atmospheres
S: Amoke concentration
How does the closed circuit breathing apparatus function and what is the working time?
The cylinder holds compressed oxygen, carbon dioxide is absorbed by the equipment and unused oxygen is re-circulated.
These have a working time of up to 3 hours.
How does the open circuit breathing apparatus function and what is the working time?
Compressed air, in which carbon dioxide from users breath, is expelled to the atmosphere. Working time is 20-35 minutes depending on the working rate.
BA Cylinder
Pressure?
Capacity in litres?
Fully charged air capacity?
Pressure tested at? How often?
Weight when full?
Pressure: 300 bar
Capacity in litres: 6.8L
Fully charged air capacity: 2040 litres
Pressure tested at? 450 bar How often? Every 5 years
Weight when full: 7kgs
What variables effect the BA’s working time?
- Lung capacity
- Fitness
- Temperature
- Anxiety
- Amount of work being done
What is the calculation to determine actual working duration?
2040L/60Lmin - 10 minutes
= 34 - 10 minutes
= 24 minutes working time
What is the flow capacity of the pressure reducer at full capacity?
700 litres per minute.
What cylinder pressure activates the mechanical low pressure warning whistle?
55 plus or minus 5 bar.
What do the following buddy light status colours indicate?
Green
Yellow
Red
Green: 300 - 100 bar
Yellow: 99 - 60 bar
Red: 59 - 0 bar
How long will it take for the following alarms to activate and how do you deactivate them?
Pre alarms
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Full alarm
Level 4
Pre-alarms
Level 1: 17.5 seconds. Move the control module.
Level 2: 20 seconds. Move the control module.
Level 3: 25 seconds. Move the control module.
Full alarm
Level 4: 30 seconds. Press the reset button twice.
What is the first action you should take following a hardware failure alarm?
Exit immediately to a clean air environment.
What is the term for the initial flow from the demand valve that allows air flow from the cylinder into the face mask?
First breath mechanism.
What do the following HUD pressure status lights indicate?
4 green lights
3 green lights
2 green lights
1 yellow light
1 red light
- 4 green lights: 300 - 271 bar
- 3 green lights: 270 - 181 bar
- 2 green lights: 180 - 100 bar
- 1 yellow light: 99 - 60 bar
- 1 red light: 59 - 0 bar (flashing continuously until shutdown)
What are the 6 change of shift procedures for BA operators?
-1. Carry out general checks of BA
2. Record relevant information on the BA tally tag
3. Check that BA control board is in order and available for use
4. Check time on BA control board corresponds with time on Station Turn Out (STO)
5. Check that personal lines and guidelines are available
6. Report result of check to Officer-In-Charge
What are the ratios for Biogard?
Concentrate: 1:80
Pre-diluted: 1:20
What are the 5 steps to take when you have a faulty BA?
- Notify your Officer-In-Charge
- Remove the BA from the vehicle
- Complete a ‘BA fault tag’ and attach it to the BA
- Arrange for a replacement BA set (No. 38)
- Send BA away as a complete unit.
The BA procedure is made up of 2 stages. Define BA Stage 1 & 2.
BA Stage 1: is implemented in situations where it has been necessary to use BA. BA entry procedures should be implemented (when resources are available) however the BA entry point may or may not be supervised.
BA Stage 2: is implemented where the IC determines that BA operations may be over a protracted period, under severe conditions or will involve the use of a number of BA operators.
What are the signals for the following?
- Evacuation
- Quiet or cease operations
- Resume operations
Evacuation: 3 short blasts at one second duration each
Quiet or cease operations: 1 continuous blast for 3 seconds
Resume operations: 1 blast for 3 seconds, followed by a 1 second blast
A BA set must not be placed on an appliance or in service if the pressure in the cylinder is below what?
250 bar
What are the levels of PPC?
- Level A: fully encapsulating gas tight suit and BA.
- Level B: non-encapsulating chemical protective suit (splash suit) and BA.
- Level C: non-encapsulating chemical protective suit (splash suit) and respirator or filter mask.
- Level D: normal work uniform that may include coveralls, boots, structural firefighting clothing.
List the 13 components.
List the 13 components.
What is the minimum preferable pressure of an operators cylinder to supply air for buddy breathing?
150 bar
What is the total working time of a full cylinder?
24 minutes (10 minutes spare)
What do the following battery power status indicators mean?
5 green segments
4 green segments
3 green segments
2 yellow segments
1 red segment
5 green segments: 80-100% charge
4 green segments: 60-79% charge
3 green segments: 40-59% charge
2 yellow segments: 20-39% charge
1 red segment: 0-19% charge
How much time do you have when low battery power is indicated?
2 hours and it indicates 0-19% charge.
List 8 fundamental expectations of a firefighter wearing BA.
- Don BA in fresh air
- Work in teams of 2
- Select the designated fireground channel on portable radios
- Deposit BA tally tags at a BA entry prior to entering a building
- Enter correct and relevant details on the BA tally tag
- Report to the BA entry and collect their BA tally tags on exiting the fire/incident. There must be a separate record for each re-entry.
- Check time-out/low-air periodically
- Exit the fireground accompanied by at least one other member of the team when the cylinder pressure gauge of their BA reaches a pre-determined level, or the cylinder low-air warning signal operates.
- Proceed toward the sound of a full alarm or distress signal. Rendering assistance is to take precedence over work in hand. Communication of the situation to BA entry Officer/IC is required.
- All crews will withdraw immediately upon the operation of the evacuation alarm.
- Use guidelines on the instruction of the IC.
- Report to BA service after collecting BA tally tags from the BA entry (if one is in operation)
What is meant by full duration, safety duration, and working duration?
- Full duration: the total time a BA operator has until they run out of air (2040/60 = 34 minutes)
- Safety duration: the amount of time needed to exit the fireground and go through decontamination (10 minutes)
- Working duration: the amount of time left after subtracting safety duration from your full duration time (24 minutes)
