Essentials of Fire Fighting, 5 th Edition Chapter 5 — Firefighter Personal Protective Equipment Firefighter I

5–15–1 Specific Objectives 4.List the four common respiratory hazards associated with fires and other emergencies. 5. Distinguish among characteristics of respiratory hazards. (Continued)

Firefighter I 5–25–2 Specific Objectives 6.Describe physical, medical, and mental factors that affect the firefighter’s ability to use respiratory protection effectively. 7.Describe equipment and air-supply limitations of SCBA. (Continued)

Firefighter I 5–35–3 Specific Objectives 8.Discuss effective air management. 9.Distinguish among characteristics of air-purifying respirators, open-circuit SCBA, and closed-circuit SCBA. 10.Describe basic SCBA component assemblies. (Continued)

Firefighter I 5–45–4 Specific Objectives 11.Discuss storing protective breathing apparatus. 12.Summarize recommendations for the use of PASS devices. 13.Describe precautionary safety checks for SCBA. (Continued)

Firefighter I 5–55–5 Specific Objectives 14.Discuss general donning and doffing considerations for SCBA. 15.Summarize general items to check in daily, weekly, monthly, and annual SCBA inspections. 16.Summarize safety precautions for refilling SCBA cylinders. (Continued)

Firefighter I 5–65–6 Specific Objectives 17.Discuss safety precautions for SCBA use. 18.Describe actions to take in emergency situations using SCBA. 19.Discuss operating in areas of limited visibility while wearing SCBA. (Continued)

Firefighter I 5–75–7 Respiratory Hazards IDLH atmospheres OSHA considers the interior of a burning building to be an IDLH atmosphere (Continued) District Chief Chris E. Mickal, NOFD Photo Unit

Firefighter I 5–85–8 Respiratory Hazards Four common hazards –Oxygen deficiency –Elevated temperatures –Smoke –Toxic atmosphere (with and without fire)

Firefighter I 5–95–9 Oxygen Deficiency Combustion process consumes oxygen while producing toxic gases Deficiencies can occur in below-grade locations, chemical storage tanks, etc. Oxygen-deficient atmosphere — One containing less than 19.5 percent oxygen (Continued)

Firefighter I 5–10 Oxygen Deficiency Some departments are equipped to monitor atmospheres, measure hazards directly Where monitoring is impossible or readings questionable, SCBA should be worn

Firefighter I 5–11 Elevated Temperatures Exposure to heated air can damage respiratory tract Excessive heat taken quickly into lungs can cause serious decrease in blood pressure, failure of circulatory system (Continued)

Firefighter I 5–12 Elevated Temperatures Inhaling heated gases can cause pulmonary edema, which can cause death from asphyxiation Tissue damage from inhaling hot air is not immediately reversible; prompt medical treatment needed

Firefighter I 5–13 Smoke Consists of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, carbon particles, other products Particles enable condensation of gaseous products of combustion Some particles in smoke irritating; others lethal

Firefighter I 5–14 Toxic Atmospheres Associated With Fire Inhaled toxic gases may have several harmful effects on human body Some gases cause impaired lung function Other gases pass into bloodstream and impair oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells (Continued)

Firefighter I 5–15 Toxic Atmospheres Associated With Fire Type, amount of toxic gases released at fire vary according to –Nature of combustible –Rate of heating –Temperature of evolved gases –Oxygen concentration Carbon monoxide

Firefighter I 5–16 Toxic Atmospheres Not Associated With Fire Many industrial processes use extremely dangerous chemicals Because presence is likely, require use of SCBA Hazardous materials Common calls may also require SCBA When in doubt, wear SCBA

Firefighter I 5–17 Physical Factors Affecting Use of Respiratory Protection Physical condition Agility Facial features

Firefighter I 5–18 Medical Factors Affecting Use of Respiratory Protection Neurological functioning Muscular/skeletal condition Cardiovascular conditioning Respiratory functioning

Firefighter I 5–19 Mental Factors Affecting Use of Respiratory Protection Adequate training in equipment use Self-confidence Emotional stability

Firefighter I 5–20 Limitations of SCBA Equipment Limited visibility Decreased ability to communicate Increased weight Decreased mobility

Firefighter I 5–21 Limitations of SCBA Air Supply Physical conditions of user Degree of physical exertion Emotional stability of user Condition of apparatus Cylinder pressure before use Training/experience of user

Firefighter I 5–22 Air Management Air supply left after low-air alarm sounds may not allow enough exit time Comply with accountability system in use, maintain situational awareness, manage air supply Responsibility for safety rests with firefighter

Firefighter I 5–23 Basic Elements to Effective Air Management Know point of no return Know how much air is available Make conscious decision to stay or leave when air down to 50 percent

Firefighter I 5–24 Decision to Stay or Leave Made by supervisor and is team decision except for catastrophic event Firefighter should never leave team in hazard zone unless supervisor permits

Firefighter I 5–25 Checks to Maximize Air Supply Beginning of shift When donning SCBA and opening cylinder valve While working During egress from hazard zone When refilling/replacing cylinder

Firefighter I 5–26 Air-Purifying Respirators Used in atmospheres containing normal levels of oxygen but contaminated with airborne particulates Most basic type — Surgical- type filter mask More sophisticated models have air-purifying filter, canister, or cartridge

Firefighter I 5–27 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Must be used in atmospheres that are oxygen-deficient, contaminated with smoke or other toxic materials Two types –Open-circuit –Closed-circuit (Continued)

Firefighter I 5–28 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Closed-circuit SCBA, open-circuit airline equipment most often used in shipboard operations, extended haz mat incidents, some rescue operations Open-circuit airline equipment

Firefighter I 5–29 SCBA Harness Assembly Rigid frame with straps to hold air cylinder on firefighter’s back Adjustable shoulder straps Waist straps Common problem — Failure to buckle waist straps

Firefighter I 5–30 SCBA Air Cylinder Assembly Cylinder, valve, pressure gauge, PASS device Main weight of breathing apparatus Various cylinder sizes, capacities, features offered Cylinder weight increases physical stress

Firefighter I 5–31 SCBA Regulator Assembly High-pressure hose with low-pressure alarm, bypass valve, pressure-reducing device Reduces pressure of cylinder air to slightly above atmospheric pressure, controls flow of air to meet respiratory requirements of weather (Continued)

Firefighter I 5–32 SCBA Regulator Assembly When wearer inhales, pressure differential created in regulator Depending on model, will have control valves for normal/emergency operations Remote pressure gauge shows air pressure remaining in cylinder, mounted in position visible to user (Continued)

Firefighter I 5–33 SCBA Regulator Assembly According to NFPA® 1981, all new SCBA must be equipped with rapid intervention crew universal air connection (RIC UAC)

Firefighter I 5–34 Facepiece Assembly Facepiece lens, exhalation valve, low- pressure hose; sometimes includes voice amplification, head harness, helmet mounting bracket (Continued)

Firefighter I 5–35 Facepiece Assembly Provides some protection from facial/ respiratory burns, holds in cool air Lens made of clear safety plastic, mounted in flexible rubber facepiece Mask held snugly against face by head harness

Firefighter I 5–36 Methods of Storing Protective Breathing Apparatus Methods vary; departments will use most appropriate method to facilitate donning Placed on apparatus in many ways If placed in seat mounts, donning should be possible without unbuckling seat belt

Firefighter I 5–37 PASS Devices Use mandatory under NFPA ® 1500 Designed to alert others that a firefighter has stopped moving and may be in distress

Firefighter I 5–38 Recommendations For Use of PASS Devices Use only those meeting NFPA ® 1982 Maintain according to manufacturer’s instructions; test daily Conduct realistic training Retrain semiannually (Continued)

Firefighter I 5–39 Recommendations For Use of PASS Devices Check SCBA, PASS devices when coming on duty or before use Train rescuers to listen for distress sound Silence PASS device to facilitate communication when firefighter located

Firefighter I 5–40 PASS Device Warning Alarm signals produced may be significantly reduced at temperatures as low as 300°F (150°C).

Firefighter I 5–41 Donning the SCBA Facepiece Steps for most SCBA similar One difference — Some use rubber harness with adjusting straps while others use mesh skullcap with adjusting straps

Firefighter I 5–42 General Considerations — Donning the SCBA Facepiece No hair should come between skin, sealing surface Chin should be centered in chin cup, harness centered at rear of head Facepiece straps should be tightened Facepiece should be checked for proper seal, operation (Continued)

Firefighter I 5–43 General Considerations — Donning the SCBA Facepiece Positive pressure should be checked Hood must be worn over facepiece harness or straps; all exposed skin must be covered and vision unobscured Helmet should be worn with chin strap secured

Firefighter I 5–44 Doffing SCBA Firefighters should make sure they are out of contaminated area and SCBA is no longer required Discontinue flow of air from regulator to facepiece Disconnect low-pressure hose from regulator or remove regulator from facepiece (Continued)

Firefighter I 5–45 Doffing SCBA Remove facepiece Remove backpack assembly while protecting regulator Close cylinder valve Relieve pressure from regulator in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions (Continued)

Firefighter I 5–46 Doffing SCBA Extend all straps Refill, replace cylinder Clean, disinfect facepiece

Firefighter I 5–47 SCBA — Daily/Weekly Care Should include checks of − Cylinder pressure − Facepiece − All gauges − Harness system − Low-pressure alarm − All valves − All hose connections − Built-in PASS devices (Continued)

Firefighter I 5–48 SCBA — Daily/Weekly Care General considerations –Breathing apparatus should be cleaned, sanitized immediately after use –Facepiece should be thoroughly washed –Dry facepiece –Damaging actions

Firefighter I 5–49 SCBA — Monthly Care Inspections should include removing equipment from service and checking –All components for deterioration –Leaks around valves, hose connections –Operation of all gauges, valves, regulator, exhalation valve, low-air alarm

Firefighter I 5–50 SCBA — Annual Care Should be done in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations Requires special training Service provider must be able to disassemble apparatus into basic components and conduct tests using specialized tools (Continued)

Firefighter I 5–51 SCBA — Annual Care Air cylinders must be stamped or labeled with date of manufacture, date of last hydrostatic test Always empty cylinders before returning them for servicing, testing

Firefighter I 5–52 Safety Precautions — Filling Air Cylinders Filled from cascade system Filled directly from compressor purification system (Continued)

Firefighter I 5–53 Safety Precautions — Filling Air Cylinders No matter how they are filled, same precautions apply –Place in shielded fill station –Prevent from overheating by filling slowly –Ensure completely full but not overpressurized

Firefighter I 5–54 Precautions for SCBA Use All firefighters must be fit-tested annually or when new facepieces issued Firefighters should closely monitor how they feel while wearing SCBA; rest when fatigued (Continued)

Firefighter I 5–55 Precautions for SCBA Use Air-supply duration varies After entering contaminated area, do not remove breathing apparatus until away from contaminated area While in IDLH atmosphere –Work in teams of two or more –Check air supply status frequently

Firefighter I 5–56 Emergency Situations Using SCBA Important considerations for emergencies created by malfunctioning protective breathing apparatus –Conservation of air –Immediate withdrawal from hazardous atmosphere (Continued)

Firefighter I 5–57 Emergency Situations Using SCBA Using SCBA when regulators malfunction –Intermittently open, close bypass valve –Because air is bypassing regulator, it is under full cylinder pressure, so bypass valve should be closed after each breath and opened each time another is needed (Continued)

Firefighter I 5–58 Emergency Situations Using SCBA Recommended actions in event of SCBA malfunction –Follow departmental SOP –Do not panic –Withdraw to clear atmosphere (Continued)

Firefighter I 5–59 Emergency Situations Using SCBA If separated from team and lost or disoriented –Declare Mayday –Follow departmental SOP –Stop and think –Hold breath and listen –Remember ways to find a way out –Lie flat on floor close to wall (Continued)

Firefighter I 5–60 Emergency Situations Using SCBA If separated from team and trapped –Follow departmental SOP –Use portable radio to declare Mayday –Activate PASS device –Escape through any available opening –Use personal escape rope if window available (Continued)

Firefighter I 5–61 Emergency Situations Using SCBA If separated from team and trapped –Control the door –Place flashlight on floor with light shining toward ceiling –Slow breathing as much as possible (Continued)