This document provides an overview of breathing apparatus used in hazardous work environments. It discusses self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) which provides compressed air from a cylinder carried by the user. The key parts of an SCBA including the backplate, shoulder straps, pressure gauge, and face mask are described. Proper inspection, donning, doffing, and cleaning procedures are outlined. Various toxic gases commonly found in oil and gas work like ammonia, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, and their hazards are also summarized.

2. BREATHING APPARATUS
Reece Cervantes Mas

3. Objectives
At the end of the course, the student will be able to understand the whole
concept of an SCBA, will be able to demonstrate the proper inspection as
well as wearing the SCBA for practical test.

4. Overview
4
Common Work Area Gasses
Gas Toxicity
Types Of Breathing Apparatus
SCBA Parts And Identification
SCBA General Check
Donning and Doffing
Inspection and Maintenance

5. Overview
If you are working in the oil and gas industry, then you know how dangerous
the job can be. The conditions can be harsh and the weather is unpredictable.
Not to mention the hazards that exist along with complex industrial
equipment. You have to be aware of the serious hazards you’re exposed to
and most of these you can’t even see..
We are going to discuss here about some of the deadliest gases in the industry.

6. Gas Toxicity
IDLH Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health.
A condition that poses a threat of exposure is likely to cause death
or immediate or delayed permanent adverse health or prevent escape
from such environment.
Occupational Exposure Limit - TWA : the time weighted average
level of contaminant that must not be exceeded over an eight
(8) hour period.
Occupational Exposure Limit

7. Gas Toxicity
Occupational Exposure Limit
Occupational Exposure Limit - STEL: the short term exposure
limit for level of contaminant that must not be exceeded over
an fifteen (15) minute period.
Ceiling: the level of contaminant which must never be exceeded.

8. Hazardous Atmosphere
Elevated Temperature
Rapid inhalation of heated air above 50ºC can cause acute
hypotension.
edema in lungs, asphyxiation.
possible pneumonia / death.
Oxygen Deficiency
Normal oxygen concentration in air at sea level is 21%
First noticeable sign is faster breathing
17% muscular impairment
12% dizziness, headache, fatigue
9% unconsciousness
6% death

9. Hazardous Atmosphere
Smoke/Diesel/Petroleum Gasses
Suspended particles of carbon, tar, and dust
provides location for condensation of gaseous products
may be simply irritating - possibly fatal
Mixture of products produced during combustion, filtered by nasal
hair and mucous membrane.
Toxic Gasses
Toxic gases may may cause death or injury on inhalation. If a
material meets the criteria it will be classified as a toxic gas. As a
guide, some examples of toxic gases include anhydrous ammonia,
methyl bromide, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide.

10. Toxic Gasses
Toxic Gasses Description
▪ Passes into blood stream to impair O2
carrying capacity.
▪ Potential displacement of oxygen.
▪ Direct damage to lungs.
▪ Synergistic effect.
▪ severity depends on: nature of
combustible, rate of heating,
temperature of evolved gases, O2
concentration.

11. Toxic Gasses
Ammonia
▪ Colorless
▪ Pungent suffocating odor
▪ Flammable
▪ Irritates eyes, skin and upper
respiratory tract
▪ IDLH 300 ppm
Carbon monoxide
▪ Colorless, odorless
▪ Caused by incomplete
combustion
▪ Cause of most fire related
deaths
▪ IDLH 1.200 ppm

12. Toxic Gasses
Carbon dioxide
▪ Colorless, odorless
▪ Caused by free burning
▪ End product of complete
combustion of carboniferous
materials
▪ IDLH 40.000 ppm
Chlorine
▪ Greenish-yellow
▪ Pungent irritating odor
▪ Irritates upper respiratory tract
▪ IDLH 10 ppm

13. Toxic Gasses
Hydrogen Sulphide
▪ Colorless
▪ Odor of rotten eggs
▪ Flammable
▪ Irritates throat and nose, loss of
sense of smell after 2-5 minutes
(100 ppm)
▪ Headache and nausea
▪ IDLH 100 ppm
Sulphur Dioxide
▪ Colorless
▪ Pungent irritating odor
▪ Irritates eyes and upper
respiratory tract
▪ IDLH 100 ppm

14. Toxic Gasses
Hydrogen Chloride
▪ Colorless to slightly yellowish
▪ Pungent odor
▪ Caused by burning plastic
▪ Irritate eyes and respiratory
system
▪ IDLH 50 ppm
Hydrogen Cyanide
▪ Colorless to pale blue
▪ Bitter almond-like odor
▪ Flammable
▪ Skin irritant
▪ Inhalation hazard, even at low
concentrations
▪ IDLH 50 ppm

15. Toxic Gasses
Nitrogen
▪ Colorless
▪ Odorless
▪ Asphyxiant (displaces oxygen)
Nitrogen Dioxide
▪ Reddish brown
▪ Pungent, acrid odor
▪ Product of combustion at power
plant, acid plant and flares
▪ Irritant to the respiratory tract
▪ IDLH 20 ppm

16. Toxic Gasses
Phosgene
▪ Colorless
▪ Odor of musty hay
▪ Tasteless
▪ Product of combustion of
refrigerants
▪ Forms hydrochloric acid in lungs
▪ IDLH 2 ppm
Acid Mist
▪ Colorless to slightly colored cloud
▪ Burning, pungent odor
▪ Irritation to eyes, skin and
respiratory tract
▪ IDLH 15 mg/m3

17. Breathing Apparatus
▪ Open-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
▪ Compressed breathing air is supplied to the user’s respiratory system
from a cylinder carried on the user’s back. Exhaled air is released to the
atmosphere.
▪ SCBA is the most common type of respiratory protection used in
industrial facilities and for fire fighting.

18. Self Contained Breathing Apparatus
Daily Inspection
Visual check. Check your SCBA for any signs of
wear and tear or damages.
Make sure all the shoulder straps and waist
strap are fully loosen.
Check your LDV - Lung Demand Valve. Make sure
that it’s clean, clear from dust, turn it on and off to
make sure it is not stuck or damaged.
Check your visor or face mask. Make sure that
all the straps are loosen. Visor must be clean
and wiped dry at all times.

19. Self Contained Breathing Apparatus
Backplate
• Shoulder straps, waist strap/belt
• LDV - Lung Demand Valve
• Pressure Gauge
• Pressure Reducer
• Alarm Device
• Quick Connector
Cylinder

20. Self Contained Breathing Apparatus
Face Mask
▪ Visor
▪ Five point head strap or mesh,
neck strap
▪ Diaphragm or ore-nasal inner mask

21. Self Contained Breathing Apparatus
SCBA regulators will maintain a slightly positive air pressure
in the face mask.
▪ Normal operational mode
▪ Regulator supplies breathing air during inhalation, stops when
inhalation stops, then opens an exhalation valve to exhaust used
air into the atmosphere.
Inhaling
▪ decreases the air pressure in the face piece, which opens the regulator
and releases air from the cylinder into the face piece automatically.
Exhaling
▪ opens the exhalation valve, which exhausts used air into the
atmosphere.

22. Supplied Air Breathing Apparatus
▪ Open Circuit Supplied Air Breathing Apparatus (SABA)
▪ Compressed breathing air is supplied from a remote location
using an air hose. Exhaled air is released to the atmosphere.
▪ Reserved for:
▪ special rescue (ERT only).
▪ maintenance in confined spaces.
▪ hazardous materials operations where a continuous air
supply is required.
▪ Essential personnel where permanent systems are installed,
such as Operations control rooms.

23. Breathing Apparatus Limitations
SCBA
▪ Limited visibility
▪ Air supply limitation
▪ Decreased mobility (better
than SABA)
▪ Decreased ability to
communicate
▪ Increased weight
SABA
▪ Limited visibility
▪ Air supply limitation
(better than SCBA)
▪ Decreased mobility
▪ Decreased ability to
communicate

24. Demonstration
Inspection
Donning and Doffing
Respirator Fit Test
Norman Use
Cleaning
Maintenance

25. Cleaning
▪ The following general guidelines should be followed to effectively clean and disinfect a respirator
face mask.
▪ If connected, disassemble the regulator from the face mask.
▪ Inspect the face mask and note any damage. If damaged it must be returned to the tool crib.
▪ Wash the components in lukewarm water with a mild detergent. A soft brush may be used to
help clean surfaces.
▪ Disinfect the respirator with a mild bleach solution
(1 ml of bleach to 1 liter of water).
▪ Rinse the respirator thoroughly with clean water.
▪ Dry and reassemble the breathing apparatus kit.
▪ Disinfectant wipes (non-alcohol based) may be used to clean the respirator prior to returning it to the
tool crib.

26. Questions?

27. Thank you everyone and have a SAFE DAY ahead!!! :)