SCBA Flashcards
“Hey Recruit! What is that thing with the tank on your back?”
“Sir, Recruit ____, it is an open-circuit, pressure demand, positive pressure, fully automatic self-contained breathing apparatus.”
Open circuit
exhales to the environment through the facepiece mounted regulator
pressure demand
demand valve in regulator opens upon inhalation
positive pressure
maintains a slightly higher pressure inside the facepiece compared to the surround air pressure
What is the NFPA for SCBA’s?
d. NFPA 1981: Standard on Open-Circuit, Self-contained Breathing Apparatus for Fire Fighters
How long can you be on air?
i. Designed to provide maximum mobility with 30-60min of air and respiratory protection for the user
ii. Realistically provides 15-45min of actual work time
Factors affecting air time (user)
i. Physical activity of wearer
ii. Physical fitness of user
iii. Emotional factors affecting breathing rate
iv. Experience (comfort level and training) using device
Factors affecting air time (equipment)
v. Full cylinder or no
vi. Loose or improperly fitting facepiece
vii. SCBA condition
What hazardous conditions warrant SCBAs?
Smoke Heat Toxic gases Irritant particulates Deficient oxygen Potential for rapid or explosive combustion
Hazardous gases
Carbon Monoxide Hydrogen Chloride Hydrogen Cyanide Nitrous Oxides Phosgene
Carbon Monoxide
- Colorless, odorless; product of incomplete combustion; is present at every fire, including during overhaul stage
Hydrogen Chloride
- Colorless, pungent smelling gas; eye and lung irritant; present whenever there is burning or smoking chlorine based plastics, including during overhaul stage
Hydrogen Cyanide
- Colorless gas with an almond odor, a product of heated or burning wool, nylon, polyurethane foam, rubber and paper; often found during clothing/rug store fires, including during overhaul stage
Nitrous Oxides
- Reddish brown gas that is a pulmonary irritant present in fires where wallpaper or lacquer have been involved including during overhaul stage.
Phosgene
- Colorless, tasteless gas with a disagreeable odor; produced when refrigerants (like Freon) are exposed to flame; may be present in all structure/vehicle/refrigeration equipment fires including during overhaul stage.
What are ways teams can stay in communication?
i. Visual
ii. Audible
iii. Physical
iv. Safety Rope
v. Electronic
vi. Other
b. All personnel entering should have SCBA on and in use prior to entering:
i. Known hazardous atmospheres
ii. Suspected hazardous atmospheres
iii. Those which may become hazardous
iv. Confined or below grade spaces per NFPA 1500
v. Overhaul ops
NFPA 1500
Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program