This document provides training on respiratory protection and the proper use of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for firefighters. It reviews why SCBA use is necessary to protect against smoke inhalation, proper donning and doffing procedures, emergency protocols, inspection, cleaning and maintenance. The objectives are to ensure firefighters understand OSHA standards, how to properly use SCBA equipment to stay safe, and demonstrate competency in donning, doffing, emergency procedures and equipment inspection.

1. 1
RESPIRATORY
PROTECTION TRAINING
Information from OSHA Standard
1910.134
And SCOTT 2.2 SCBA Manual
Lesson prepared by Scott Fitch 2/2003

2. 2
OBJECTIVES
 Review Respiratory Protection
Standard
Explain:
 Why SCBA use is necessary,
 How improper fit/use can compromise
firefighter health and safety,
 Importance of maintenance of SCBA

3. 3
OBJECTIVES continued
4. Review limitations of SCBA
And firefighter will be able to
demonstrate the following:
 How to properly Donn and Doff SCBA,
 How to properly inspect SCBA,
 How to check for face piece seal,
 Proper use in emergency situations
 Procedures for cleaning/disinfecting

4. 4
OBJECTIVES continued
And will be able to describe:
 The medical signs and symptoms that
may limit or prevent use of SCBA,
 The general requirements of the revised
Respiratory Protection Standard

5. 5
SCBA Evaluation process!
 Each firefighter will complete a written
evaluation on this subject.
 Each firefighter will demonstrate the
proper donning, doffing and emergency
procedures for the SCOTT Fifty SCBA

6. 6
Program designed
To help you protect your
health and safety!

7. 7
Why is SCBA use necessary?
To protect the health of you, the firefighter

8. 8
Describe the products of combustion

9. 9
Products of combustion:
 CO, CO2, hydrogen cyanide,
hydrogen chloride, phosgene,
nitrogen oxide, nitrogen dioxide,
particulate matter.
 Combustion results in oxygen
deficiency which alone is extremely
dangerous!

10. 10
What are limitations of SCBA
Limit on air supply
Limit to firefighting
To be used in hazardous
materials situations, proper
protective envelope is needed!

11. 11
Improper use of SCBA
 Through training, improper use can be
avoided!
 Tight face piece seal is vital to
preventing exposure to contaminants!
 A properly donned SCBA will minimize
stress to the back.
 SCBA is designed to protect lungs, not
as a wheel chock!

12. 12
Review components of SCOTT Fifty 2.2 SCBA

13. 13
Review operation of Pak-alert 1000

14. 14
Review Bottle
Change Procedure

15. 15
Emergency Operation of SCBA
 Per SCOTT, in the event of a
malfunction, or suspected malfunction
the following procedures should be
implemented:

16. 16
Emergency Operation of SCBA
1.Should the Vibralert alarm actuate
during use and before the air supply is
depleted to about 25% of full capacity,
the primary reducer may have failed
(system automatically transfers to the
backup reducer).
Notify partner and leave
contaminated area immediately!

17. 17
Emergency Operation of SCBA
2. Should the air supply be partially or
completely cut off during use, or if you
are unable to start the flow of air
automatically, fully open the purge
valve (red knob on regulator) by turning
it clockwise. Notify partner and
leave contaminated area
immediately!

18. 18
Emergency Operation of SCBA
3. Should air flow freely into the face
piece, fully open the purge valve (red
knob on regulator), partially close the
cylinder valve by pushing in and
rotating clockwise to regulate flow to
satisfy user needs. Do not close
cylinder completely! Notify partner
and leave contaminated area
immediately!

19. 19
Emergency Operation of SCBA
4. In the unlikely event of blockage of
airflow, or sudden complete loss of air
supply, Notify partner and leave
contaminated area immediately
using Emergency Egress procedure
set up by the FD (radio a mayday
to IC)!

20. 20
Procedure following SCBA
failure:
 Remove SCBA in a safe area.
 Tag the SCBA out of service (include
date, problem encountered, and
individual/Group number reporting the
problem).
 Hold for service by an authorized
SCOTT dealer!

21. 21
Cold weather operations
How does our SCBA hold up in sub freezing
temperatures?

22. 22
Low temperature operational
concerns:
 Per manufacturer, SCBA stored in
temperatures above 32ºF.
 Regulator may freeze during operations
in sub-freezing temperatures (moisture
from exhalation, or previous cleaning).
 Place regulator inside turn out coat to
thaw!

23. 23
Inspection of SCBA

24. 24
Inspection Procedure for SCBA
Inspect for worn, aging
rubber parts, fraying or wear
of harness webbing, or
damage to components
(regulator, face piece, Pak
Alert 1000)

25. 25
Cleaning/Decontamination of
SCBA
 Following FD guideline using the SCOTT
Multi-wash solution:
 For face piece- 3 full pumps of solution on
regulator side, 3 full pumps on inside of
mask, wetting entire surface! Soak for 10
minutes and rinse with gentle, potable,
running water. Shake off excess water, dry
with lint free cloth.

26. 26
Cleaning/Decontamination of
SCBA
 For the Regulator: 3 full pumps of the
SCOTT multi-wash solution into the
regulator opening. Let sit for 10
minutes. Rinse using small quantity of
clean, potable rinse water (very
gently!). Note- forceful water will
damage diaphragm on inside of
regulator. Shake out excess water, let
dry with room temp air via fan.

27. 27
Cleaning of back pack:
Using warm water and a mild
detergent, sponge the backpack
off and rinse with low pressure
water. Let pack air dry.

28. 28
Pak-Alert 1000 Inspection
Inspect for damage, wear or
cracks to enclosures, lenses and
wire conduits. If problems
found, tag and remove unit
from service for repair by
authorized SCOTT repair
service.

29. 29
Pak-Alert 1000 Inspection
 Before pressurizing SCBA, check manual
alarm operation by pressing red button on
face of pak-alert, then reset.
 Open valve of cylinder, listen for 3 chirps and
check green light for operation.
 Check for pre-alert with SCBA pressurized and
depressed donning switch and leave SCBA
motionless

30. 30
Pak-Alert 1000 Inspection
 Check pre-alert reset by moving SCBA.
 Check manual reset or pre-alarm
 Check full alarm reset
 Check continuing operation following
shut down of cylinder.
 Turn off unit following bleed down of
air.

31. 31
Cleaning of Pak-Alert
 Exterior may be cleaned by wiping
with a damp sponge and
thoroughly wiping it dry. Clean
lense following each use to ensure
maximum brightness of warning
light. Note: Do not use solvent
for cleaning exterior surfaces of
this unit!

32. 32
Pak-Alert Decontamination
 If suspected of contamination by a
hazardous substance, identify
contaminant and remove, or
contaminated component(s) must be
replaced before next use.

33. 33
Medical Evaluation
 Confidential document that must be
completed and submitted to the FD
physician on an annual basis for each
firefighter.
 Used along with a physical by the FD
physician to determine the ability for a
firefighter to use an SCBA.

34. 34
Medical limits for SCBA use:
 Conditions that may prevent you from
wearing SCBA at all.
 Conditions that may be temporary that
can affect your ability to safely use the
SCBA.

35. 35
Medical limits for SCBA use:
 Should you experience any of the
following signs or symptoms while using
SCBA, notify your partner and
immediately leave the hazard area.
Seek immediate medical attention

36. 36
Medical limitations for SCBA
use:
 Any respiratory
problem (I.e.
bronchitis, asthma,
respiratory infection,
etc)
 Heart conditions,
chest pains
 Back or shoulder
problems
 General weakness
due to illness,
fatigue.
 Diabetic problem
 Heat stress,
exhaustion

37. 37
Firefighting demands great physical conditioning

38. 38
Record keeping requirements
The Fire District must maintain records of
the following:
1. SCBA maintenance and operational
checks.
2. Training and evaluation of knowledge
of SCBA use by firefighters.
3. Annual fit testing of face piece.
4. Medical clearance to use SCBA
5. Breathing air quality certification

39. 39
Review of OSHA 1910.134
general requirements
 Evaluation of work place hazards
 Medical evaluation with preliminary
questionnaire.
 Familiarization with SCBA design
and limitations
 Fit testing

40. 40
Review of OSHA 1910.134
general requirements
 Training and evaluation of firefighter
ability to use SCBA
 Training on emergency procedures
 Cleaning, maintenance and storage
 Record keeping

41. 41
Practical use evaluation
 Each firefighter will demonstrate the
proper donning, doffing and emergency
procedures for the SCOTT Fifty SCBA.
 Each firefighter will demonstrate the
proper bottle changing procedure for
the SCBA.

42. 42
In summary
 OSHA 1910.134 implemented to
improve respiratory health of
firefighters.
 We’ve reviewed reason for use of SCBA
 We’ve reviewed proper donning/doffing
procedures
 Bottle changing, inspection and
cleaning procedures reviewed