There is no other risky occupation like firefighting and rescuing people from hostile environments particularly when the breathing air gets poisoned. In order to reduce exposure to this danger and execute their mission successfully, firefighters use special equipment, one of which is the self contained breathing apparatus, widely known as firefighter SCBA. The term self contained is used to signify that it independent from remote air supply.
The basic components of a firefighter SCBA include a high pressure tank of breathing air, the insulated connecting pipes and a pressure regulator. The modern ones are more efficient with many additional features the most common being a face mask and lighter tank. The general design must allow for shoulder-carrying of victims with no hindrance. It must also allow for uninterrupted air flow no matter the environmental conditions.
Given the important role it plays in keeping the users safe, there are specific requirements that must be met by suppliers. In Europe for instance, the suppliers must comply with the requirements of Personal Protective Equipment Directive (89/686/EEC). These are extensions of European Standard EN 137: 2006 standards which detail the performance requirements, safety markings and the required information to be given to users.
The suppliers in Canada and the United States too have similar requirements. They are guided by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA Standards 1981) that give their label as an indication of compliance. The National Institute for Occupation Safety and Health (NIOSH) is the authority that gives similar certification for compliance in the areas of biological, chemical, nuclear and radiological environment.
The firefighter SCBA normally put emphasis on flame and heat resistance which is more important that even the overall cost. The light weight materials used to manufacture these devices are normally exotic making the final cost very expensive. Personal Alert Safety System (PASS) or Automatic Distress Signal Unit (ADSU) is never missing components of the modern equipment. These are designed to switch on automatic after sensing no movement after 15 to 30 seconds. When activated, they release distinctive alarm signal that helps to locate the user. They can also be activated manually.
The success in use of this important equipment however depends on how often you conduct SCBA drills. No matter the level of training or experience, mastering these devices still requires continuous drill, effort and personal commitment. During drills, the starting point is usually the past fatalities or misuse in the device use or air management. These incidents are important information source that can help prevent similar situations in the future. Online information from trusted websites can also help in these drills.
The most important and common drills that should be considered include the SCBA check where the operational readiness is examined, the consumption drill targeting to determine the period a particular bottle will last for a given user and the last-breath drill that is more concerned with confidence and accuracy.
The rescue operation is simply impossible without firefighter SCBA. This device makes the difference between life and death both to the users and victims alike. For this reason, every firefighter must be engaged in continuous training and drilling in order to be able to operate it accurately when the need arise,
The basic components of a firefighter SCBA include a high pressure tank of breathing air, the insulated connecting pipes and a pressure regulator. The modern ones are more efficient with many additional features the most common being a face mask and lighter tank. The general design must allow for shoulder-carrying of victims with no hindrance. It must also allow for uninterrupted air flow no matter the environmental conditions.
Given the important role it plays in keeping the users safe, there are specific requirements that must be met by suppliers. In Europe for instance, the suppliers must comply with the requirements of Personal Protective Equipment Directive (89/686/EEC). These are extensions of European Standard EN 137: 2006 standards which detail the performance requirements, safety markings and the required information to be given to users.
The suppliers in Canada and the United States too have similar requirements. They are guided by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA Standards 1981) that give their label as an indication of compliance. The National Institute for Occupation Safety and Health (NIOSH) is the authority that gives similar certification for compliance in the areas of biological, chemical, nuclear and radiological environment.
The firefighter SCBA normally put emphasis on flame and heat resistance which is more important that even the overall cost. The light weight materials used to manufacture these devices are normally exotic making the final cost very expensive. Personal Alert Safety System (PASS) or Automatic Distress Signal Unit (ADSU) is never missing components of the modern equipment. These are designed to switch on automatic after sensing no movement after 15 to 30 seconds. When activated, they release distinctive alarm signal that helps to locate the user. They can also be activated manually.
The success in use of this important equipment however depends on how often you conduct SCBA drills. No matter the level of training or experience, mastering these devices still requires continuous drill, effort and personal commitment. During drills, the starting point is usually the past fatalities or misuse in the device use or air management. These incidents are important information source that can help prevent similar situations in the future. Online information from trusted websites can also help in these drills.
The most important and common drills that should be considered include the SCBA check where the operational readiness is examined, the consumption drill targeting to determine the period a particular bottle will last for a given user and the last-breath drill that is more concerned with confidence and accuracy.
The rescue operation is simply impossible without firefighter SCBA. This device makes the difference between life and death both to the users and victims alike. For this reason, every firefighter must be engaged in continuous training and drilling in order to be able to operate it accurately when the need arise,
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