Firefighter Personal

Protective Equipment
Module 3

Chapter 6
Copyright: IFSTA, Essentials of Fire Fighting and Fire Department Operations, 6th Edition
 LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Summarize general
Explain methods for considerations for
storing respiratory protective breathing
protection apparatus
equipment. inspections and care.

Describe general
donning and doffing
considerations for
protective breathing
apparatus.

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 LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Summarize
safety
precautions
for refilling Explain safety Describe
SCBA precautions nonemergency
cylinders. for SCBA use. exit techniques.

Explain Describe Demonstrate

procedures for nonemergency the method
replacing SCBA and for donning
cylinders. emergency structural
exit indicators. personal
protective
clothing for
use at an
emergency.

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 LEARNING OBJECTIVES
With structural With structural
personal protective personal protective
clothing in place, clothing in place,
demonstrate the over- demonstrate the
the-head method of method for donning
donning an SCBA. an SCBA while seated.

With structural
personal protective
clothing in place,
demonstrate the coat
method of donning an
SCBA.

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 LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Doff personal
protective
equipment,
including respiratory Demonstrate the
protection, and steps for cleaning an
prepare for reuse. SCBA.

Demonstrate the Demonstrate the

steps for inspecting method for filling an
an SCBA. SCBA cylinder from
a cascade system,
wearing appropriate
PPE, including eye
and ear protection.

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 LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Demonstrate the method

for filling an SCBA cylinder
from a compressor/
purifier system, wearing Demonstrate the two-
appropriate PPE, including person method for
eye and ear protection. replacing an SCBA cylinder.

Demonstrate the one-

person method for
replacing an SCBA cylinder.

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FOLLOW THESE GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
WHEN DONNING SCBA.

 Beginning  Air cylinder  Remote

of shift gauge gauge

 Harness  Low-
 Operate all
and facepiece pressure
valves
straps alarm

 Battery-
 PASS device powered
functions

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 SCBA CAN BE DONNED IN SEVERAL WAYS.

Courtesy of Kenneth Baum

Unmounted
(over-the-
Seat mount
coat or coat
method)

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 CAUTION

Never connect the

regulator and
breathe cylinder air
when seated in the
apparatus. This
activity will deplete
your air supply
before you arrive at
the incident.

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 SCBA CAN BE DONNED IN SEVERAL WAYS.

Courtesy of Ron Bogardus

Side or
rear Backup
external mount
mount

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BE AWARE OF TWO IMPORTANT DIFFERENCES
AMONG SCBA FACEPIECES.

Rubber
Location of
harness or
regulator
mesh skullcap

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FOLLOW THESE GENERAL CONSIDERATION
WHEN DONNING SCBA FACEPIECES.

 Straps fully  No hair in face  Chin cup and

extended seal harness centered

 Straps pulled  Sealed,  Protective

simultaneously connected, and hood over
to rear exhaling properly harness or straps

 Helmet
secured with
chin strap

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FOLLOW THESE GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
WHEN DOFFING SCBA FACEPIECES.

 Clear of
 Discontinue  Disconnect
contaminated
air flow from facepiece
area

 Loosen straps;  Remove

 Remove
remove backpack;
protective hood
facepiece protect regulator

 Relieve
 Close valve
pressure

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FOLLOW THESE GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
WHEN DOFFING SCBA FACEPIECES.

 Turn off  Extend

PASS straps

 Check  Clean
pressure facepiece

 Secure in
 Clean other
proper
parts
storage

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 SEVERAL FACTORS DETERMINE HOW
FREQUENTLY SCBA IS INSPECTED.

Schedule
NFPA® 1852 determined by
establishes NFPA®, OSHA,
frequency manufacturer’s
requirements

Qualified
Typically daily,
technicians
weekly, start of
inspect
shift; no less
annually, after
than weekly
repairs

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SCBA MUST BE INSPECTED REGULARLY, AND
DAMAGE REPORTED IMMEDIATELY.

Facepiece

• Frame
• Head-harness buckles, straps, webbing
• Lens for damage
• Heads-up display (HUD)

Courtesy of Kenneth Baum

• Lens for seal with frame
• Valve seat of exhalation valve
• Springs and covers
• Regulator and hose connection points
• Speaking diaphragm

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SCBA MUST BE INSPECTED REGULARLY, AND
DAMAGE REPORTED IMMEDIATELY.

Backplate and harness assembly

• Abrasions, cuts, tears,

• Heat/chemical damage

Courtesy of Kenneth Baum

• Fasteners/adjustment operate
• Straps extended
• Cylinder retention system
• Cylinder attached

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SCBA MUST BE INSPECTED REGULARLY, AND
DAMAGE REPORTED IMMEDIATELY.

Breathing air cylinder assembly

• Hydrostatic test date

• Cylinder gauge

Courtesy of Kenneth Baum

• Cylinder body
• Composite cylinders
• Cylinder valve outlet
• Valve hand wheel
• Burst disc outlet
• Cylinder full

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 SCBA MUST BE INSPECTED REGULARLY, AND
DAMAGE REPORTED IMMEDIATELY.

Hoses Low-pressure alarm Regulator

• Abrasions, bubbling, • Alarm and hardware • Controls, housing

cuts for: and relief devices
• Cracks, • Cleanliness for:
heat/chemical • Attachment • Cleanliness
damage • Damage • Operates
• Fittings • Test alarm • Damage
• “O” ring • Unusual sounds
• Hose connections • Valve functions
properly

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SCBA MUST BE INSPECTED REGULARLY, AND
DAMAGE REPORTED IMMEDIATELY.

Pressure indicator
Integrated PASS
gauges
• Inspect for • Inspect for
cleanliness, damage cleanliness, wear,
• Gauge readings are damage
within • Securely attached
manufacturer’s • Test all modes
limits • Test low battery
warning

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PROPER CARE FOR SCBA MEANS CLEANING
AND SANITIZING AFTER EACH USE.

Debris
Wash
cause
facepiece
malfunction

Dry
Do not
facepiece
submerge
properly

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PROPER CARE FOR SCBA MEANS CLEANING
AND SANITIZING AFTER EACH USE.

Prevent
Sanitize
fogging

Personalized Store
facepiece properly

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TRAINED AND QUALIFIED PERSONNEL PERFORM
ANNUAL INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE.

Courtesy of Kenneth Baum

Department members
or contractors

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FREQUENCY OF SCBA AIR CYLINDER HYDROSTATIC
TESTING VARIES BY MATERIAL.

Material

Courtesy of Kenneth Baum

Steel/aluminum

Hoop-wrapped aluminum

Fully wrapped fiberglass

Fully wrapped KevlarTM

Stamp or label provides Fully wrapped carbon fiber
testing dates

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 THREE SOURCES CAN BE USED TO REFILL
SCBA AIR CYLINDERS.

Courtesy of Brandon Wagoner

Courtesy of James Nilo
Firefighter Breathing Air
Stationary fill systems Mobile fill systems Replenishment Systems
(FBARS)

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FOLLOW THESE GENERAL GUIDELINES AND
PRECAUTIONS FOR ALL FILL SYSTEMS.

 Type 1 Grade  Check  Visually

D quality air hydrostatic test inspect for
required date damage

 Fill slowly to
 Use shielded
 Eye/ear PPE prevent
fill station
overheating

 Completely
full, not over
pressurized

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 REFILLING UNSHIELDED CYLINDERS WHILE DONNED IS
PROHIBITED, BUT RIC/RITS ARE GRANTED EXCEPTIONS.

Universal air
connection (UAC)

Courtesy of Kenneth Baum

Three criteria Risk assessment

Imminent threat

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 STATIONARY FILL SYSTEMS USE CASCADE
SYSTEM OR FILL DIRECT FROM COMPRESSOR.

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FOLLOW THESE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WHEN
USING STATIONARY FILL STATIONS.
 Trained
 Inspect
personnel
before filling
only

 Shielded fill
 Eye/ear PPE
station

 Fill slowly
 Filled to
to prevent
capacity
overheating

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 MOBILE FILL STATIONS ARE USED AT
EMERGENCY INCIDENTS.

Courtesy of James Nilo

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 FIREFIGHTING BREATHING AIR REPLENISHMENT
SYSTEM (FBARS) ARE USED IN HIGHRISE BUILDINGS.

Courtesy of Brandon Wagoner

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REPLACE SCBA CYLINDERS ONLY IN SPECIFIC
CIRCUMSTANCES.
Long-duration
Training operations

Inspections

After any
operation

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SEVERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS MUST BE
CONSIDERED WHEN USING SCBA.
Use properly fit tested Air supply duration
facepiece varies

Monitor for signs Activated and on in

of fatigue contaminated areas

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 SEVERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS MUST BE
CONSIDERED WHEN USING SCBA.
Check supply
Work in teams frequently

Test
atmosphere

Exit before alarm

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EXIT PROCEDURES HELP YOU MAKE RAPID
EXITS FROM MANY TYPE INCIDENTS.

Nonemergency Emergency
exits exits

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NONEMERGENCY EXIT INDICATORS ARE
THE MOST COMMON.

Situation stabilized

Shift in strategy

Replace cylinder

IC command

Assignment complete

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EMERGENCY EXIT INDICATORS SIGNAL LIFE
THREATENING SITUATIONS.
Low-pressure alarm or SCBA failure

IC or safety officer command

APR/PAPR damage

Increased respiratory hazards or PEL met or

exceeded

Change in conditions, O2, temp, or new hazards

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IC MONITORS POTENTIAL HAZARDS BUT YOU
SHOULD MONITOR YOUR OXYGEN LEVELS.

• Light-headed
• Disorientated
• Loss of coordination
• Increased breathing rates
• Rapid fatigue

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 NONEMERGENCY EXIT TECHNIQUES ARE BASED ON
INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEMS (ICS) AND NFPA® 1500.

Controlled
Buddy system
breathing

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 NONEMERGENCY EXIT TECHNIQUES ARE BASED ON
INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEMS (ICS) AND NFPA® 1500.

Accountability
Egress paths system

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 SUMMARY
Respiratory equipment can protect you
from toxic gases and vapors,
particulates, and disease, but only if
properly used, inspected, cleaned, and
maintained.

Knowing how to select the type of

respiratory equipment that is
appropriate, as well as manage your air
supply, are also important.

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