1. Fire Fighter Level I Personal Protective Equipment
Lesson 3 – Hazardous Atmospheres
Reference:
- IFSTA Essentials 4th/5th Edition

2. Fire Fighter Level I Personal Protective Equipment
Common Hazardous Atmospheres
Oxygen Deficient
Elevated Temperature
Smoke
Toxic Atmospheres (w/ or w/out Fire)
FFI: Personal Protective Equipment – Lesson 3

3. Fire Fighter Level I Personal Protective Equipment
Oxygen Deficiency
Combustion consumes oxygen
Below grade
Confined spaces
OSHA: < 19.5%
FFI: Personal Protective Equipment – Lesson 3

4. Fire Fighter Level I Personal Protective Equipment
Oxygen Deficiency
Physical Effects
21% Normal Conditions
17% Muscle Impairment Increased Respirations
12% Dizziness Headache Fatigue
9% Loss of consciousness
6% Respiratory Arrest Cardiac Arrest
FFI: Personal Protective Equipment – Lesson 3

5. Fire Fighter Level I Personal Protective Equipment
Elevated Temperature
Increased Respiratory Rate
Pulmonary Edema
Swelling – Nasal/Oral Pharynx
FFI: Personal Protective Equipment – Lesson 3

6. Fire Fighter Level I Personal Protective Equipment
Smoke
Particles of carbon, dust & tar in heated gas
Respiratory irritant
Can cause asphyxiation
FFI: Personal Protective Equipment – Lesson 3

7. Fire Fighter Level I Personal Protective Equipment
Toxic Atmospheres & Gases
Lung disease
Tissue impairment
Carcinogenic
Examples
CO HC
CO2 NO2
HCl COCl2
FFI: Personal Protective Equipment – Lesson 3

8. Fire Fighter Level I Personal Protective Equipment
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Colorless/odorless
Result of free burning
Product of COMPLETE combustion
Displaces O2
FFI: Personal Protective Equipment – Lesson 3

9. Fire Fighter Level I Personal Protective Equipment
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Colorless/odorless
Product of INCOMPLETE combustion
Responsible for MOST deaths
Binds with red blood cells
FFI: Personal Protective Equipment – Lesson 3

10. Fire Fighter Level I Personal Protective Equipment
Hydrogen Chloride (HCl)
Colorless, sometimes slightly yellow
Pungent odor
Burning plastics
Irritates eyes and respiratory system
FFI: Personal Protective Equipment – Lesson 3

11. Fire Fighter Level I Personal Protective Equipment
Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN)
Colorless
Bitter, almond odor
Wool, nylon, paper, foam, rubber & polyurethane
Chemical asphyxiant
Treated with Amyl Nitrate
FFI: Personal Protective Equipment – Lesson 3

12. Fire Fighter Level I Personal Protective Equipment
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
Reddish-brown
Pungent odor
Silos & grain bins
Irritates nose & throat
FFI: Personal Protective Equipment – Lesson 3

13. Fire Fighter Level I Personal Protective Equipment
Phosgene (COCl2)
Colorless / “Musty Hay” odor / Tasteless
Refrigerants
Forms Hydrochloric Acid in the lungs
Deadly
FFI: Personal Protective Equipment – Lesson 3