SCBA Intro Refresher Pinos Altos Fire Rescue 2012

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NFPA 1001 outlinestraining and performance qualifications.

Fire fighters must be trained and proficient in the use of PPE and respiratory protection equipment.

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Fire Fighter SafetyIC has ultimate responsibility for the overall

safety of every operation.Safety officer is responsible for evaluating

hazards and recommending appropriate safety measures.

Final responsibility for personal safety falls to the individual fire fighter.

Risk-Benefit Analysis““practiced at everypracticed at everylevel of fire servicelevel of fire service””

Incident CommandResponsible for high-level

risk-benefit analysisAssesses the risks and

benefits before committing crews to an assignment

Continuously reassess the risks and benefits during the operation

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Injury Prevention Every team member is responsible

for preventing injuries.

Priority of safety on the fireground is:1. Self (personal safety)2. Other team members3. Everyone else

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Standards and Procedures

• Fire service safety is governed by:– NFPA 1500– State and federal agencies or programs

• Every department should have SOPs

A successful safety program will address:

1. standards and procedures2. personnel3. training4. equipment

• Helmet

• Hood

• Gloves

• Eye / face protection

• Turnout coat / pants

• Boots

Personal Protective Equipment

Tags and a Tool -Report to Command

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Personal Alert Safety System (PASS)

“ An electronic device that sounds a loud audible signal if a fire fighter is motionless for a set time

period or if activated by the fire fighter ”

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Limitations of PPEEach component must be properly donned and worn

to provide complete protection•* Heavy and can cause fatigue•* Retains body heat & perspiration

– Fire fighters in full PPE can rapidly develop elevated body temperatures

•* Limits mobility and range of motion•* Decreases sensory abilities

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Limitations of SCBA Duration of SCBA limited by the capacity of the cylinderStructural firefighter must carry enough air for a minimum of

30 minutesDuration based on ideal laboratory conditions.

* SCBA averages 25 pounds.* Size of unit -- difficult for small places.* Weight decrease flexibility & mobility.* Sensory limitations (visual, audio, verbal)

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Donning and Doffing PPEDonning PPE must be done in a specific

order to obtain maximum protection.Fire fighters should be able to don PPE in

one minute or less, 2:00 to breathing w/ SCBA.

To doff PPE, reverse the procedure

Donning quality indicators:When turning on air note verbally:

Low air alarmPass is armedGauges match

Tank is fully open

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Care of PPECost of gear: $2500 - $4500 (or more!!) w/SCBACheck the condition of PPE regularly.Repair worn or damaged PPE at once.

Clean PPE when necessarysoiled by exposure to smoke or other contaminants.exposed to chemicals or HAZMAT's (may have to be impounded for decon or disposal)follow manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.

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Respiratory ProtectionThe interior atmosphere of a

burning building is considered immediately dangerous to life and health. (IDLH)

Fire fighters must be proficient in using SCBA before engaging in interior fire suppression activities.

Using SCBA confidently requires practice practice practice!

4 Hazardous Respiratory Environments

21% - normal17% - increased respirations12% - dizziness, headache 9% - unconsciousness 6% - death

Oxygen Deficient

Smoke

Superheated Air

Toxic Gases

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SmokeSmoke particles are unburned, partially

burned, and completely burned substances which can be toxic or irritating.

Smoke vapors, or small droplets of liquids, can be toxic or irritating.

Toxic gases in smoke include:Carbon monoxideHydrogen cyanide Phosgene

Oxygen Deficiency •Air is normally about 21% oxygen.•Oxygen deficiency occurs when:

Fire consumes large quantities of the available oxygen, decreasing the concentration of oxygen.

Fire produces largequantities of other gaseswhich displace the oxygen

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Other Toxic Environments

hazardous materials releasesconfined-space /

below-grade structuressilos, storage bins & towerstank farmshousehold & industrial chemicalssewage treatment plants

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Respiratory ProtectionSCBA must be used:in areas where there is smoke / fumes / gases

During overhaul until the air has been testedand deemed safe by the safety officer

Whenever toxic gases or an oxygendeficient atmosphere is possible

IDLH - Immediately Dangerous to Life & Health

Golden rule - Always assume that the atmosphere is hazardous until it has been

tested and proven to be safe!

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Physical & Psychological Limitations of the UserWeight of SCBA and PPE requires additional energy

-- increases air consumption & body temperature.Breathing through an SCBA is different from normal

breathing and can be very stressful.The surrounding environment, often dark, filled with

smoke & heat.

Fire fighters must learn to adjust to these stressful conditions.

Components of Your SCBA

Shoulder Straps

Backplate

Waist Straps

Cylinder Clamp

High Pressure Hose

Pressure Reducer

Integrated

PASS

Remote

Gauge

Low Pressure Hose

Gauge Line

Regulator

Coupling

Redundant Low Air Alarm

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Components of SCBABackpack:Frame for mountingthe other working

parts of the SCBA

Harness:Straps and fasteners to attach the SCBA to thefire fighter

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• Air cylinder• Holds breathing air for an SCBA• Neck equipped with a hand-operated shut-off valve

Pressure gauge located near the shut-off valve and shows amount of pressure currently in cylinder

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• Regulator– Controls the flow

of air to the user

Inhalingdecreases the air pressure in the face piece,

which opens the regulator and releases air from the cylinder into the face piece

Exhalingopens the exhalation valve, which exhausts

used air into the atmosphere

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SCBA Face Piece Assembly

Face piece assemblyconsists of:

Facemask with a clear lens

Exhalation valve

Regulator

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SCBA regulators maintain a slightly positive air pressure in the face piece.

Normal operational modeRegulator supplies breathing air during inhalation,

stops when inhalation stops, then opens an exhalation valve to exhaust used air into the atmosphere.

Controlled using the yellow-colored on/off valveEmergency by-pass mode

Releases a constant flow of breathing air into the face piece

Used only if the regulator malfunctionsActivated when the user turns on the red-colored

emergency by-pass valve

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Pre-donning SCBA Check• cylinder has at least 90% of its rated

pressure.• Open the cylinder valve two or three turns,

listen for the low-air alarm to sound, and then open the valve fully.

• pressure gauges on both the regulator and cylinder read within 100 psi of each other.

• all harness straps are fully extended.• all valves are in the correct position.

An open by-pass valve will waste air.

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Safety Precautions for SCBA• Learn to recognize the low-air alarm.• When your alarm goes off, you must exit the

hazardous environment.• Before you enter a hazardous environment, make

sure your PASS device is activated.• Be sure you are properly logged into your

accountability system.• Always work in teams of two.• Always have at least two fire fighters outside at the

ready.

Air Management • Air = time

• Time in a hazardous atmosphere must include entry and exit time.

• Time rating on an SCBA is for low exertion.• A 30-minute supply is generally 10-12 minutes.

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Emergency SituationsBe prepared to react if an emergency occurs

while using SCBA.Keep calm, stop, and think.Exit the hostile environment.

If in danger, activate your PASS.Use your hand light to attract attention.Use a portable radio to call for help.

Initiating a MaydayDon't wait until it’s too late to call for help.Failure to act promptly can be fatal!Do not hesitate to call for help!Transmit: Mayday-Mayday-Mayday

• and clearly state:• Name• Nature of problem• Location or last known location

• Activate PASS.• Activate emergency button on radio

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SCBA Inspection & Maintenance• properly prepared for service• cylinder changed or refilled.• face piece and regulator sanitized (according to

the manufacturer’s instructions).

• complete unit must be cleaned, inspected, and checked for proper operation.

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InspectionsDaily – Weekly – Monthly – After Use

• Each SCBA unit should be inspected daily or at the beginning of each shift.

• When fire stations are not staffed, SCBA should be inspected at least once a week.

• SCBA should be completely checked each month for proper operation, for leaks, and for any deterioration.

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• user’s responsibility to ensure the SCBA is in ready condition before it is returned to the fire apparatus.

• use the daily inspection procedure when restoring a unit to service

• if inspection reveals any problems the SCBA must be repaired or tagged & removed from service for repair.

Only properly trained and certified personnel are authorized to repair SCBA.

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Annual InspectionComplete annual inspection and maintenance must be

performed on each SCBA.Annual inspection must be performed by a certified

manufacturer’s representative or a person who has been trained and certified to perform this work.

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Cleaning and Sanitizing SCBA• Follow manufacturers’ specific instructions

for care and cleaning of SCBA.• Rinse entire unit with clean water.• Clean harness assembly and cylinder with a

mild soap and water solution.• Clean face pieces and regulators with mild

soap and warm water or disinfectant cleaning solution.

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Servicing SCBA Cylinders

Cylinders must be visually inspected during daily and monthly inspections.

Federal law requires periodic hydrostatic testing and limits the number of years a cylinder can be used.

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Replacing SCBA Cylinders• A single fire fighter must doff SCBA to

replace the air cylinder.

• Two fire fighters working together can change cylinders without removing SCBA.

• A fire fighter should be able to change cylinders in the dark and while wearing gloves.

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Refilling SCBA Cylinders

Compressors and cascade systems are used to refill SCBA cylinders.

Proper training is required to fill SCBA cylinders.

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SCBA Summary*Regular inspections *Proper care & maintenance*Train Train Train. . .

. . vital to fire fighter safety and are an important responsibility of

every fire fighter. . .

Donning Practice:

• In class• As homework

Practice with Company

SCBA Worksheet

Name____________________Date___________