Firefighter Personal
Protective Equipment
Module 2
Chapter 6
Copyright: IFSTA, Essentials of Fire Fighting and Fire Department Operations, 6th Edition
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Describe the
limitations of
Identify respiratory
respiratory protection
hazards. equipment.
Identify types of Explain methods
respiratory for storing
protection respiratory
equipment. protection
equipment.
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APPROPRIATE PROTECTION IS THE MOST
EFFECTIVE RESPIRATORY PROTECTION.
Structural Repair Medical Confined
or work responses spaces
wildland
fire
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RESPIRATORY HAZARDS OFTEN OCCUR IN SITUATIONS
IMMEDIATELY DANGEROUS TO LIFE AND HEALTH (IDLH).
Common respiratory hazards
• Oxygen deficiency
• Elevated temperatures
• Particulate contaminants
• Gases and vapors
• Airborne pathogens
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OXYGEN DEFICIENCY OCCURS MOST OFTEN (BUT
NOT ONLY) IN AREAS OF COMBUSTION.
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ELEVATED TEMPERATURES CAN LEAD TO
SUPERHEATED AIR.
Health hazards
Decrease in Circulatory
Pulmonary
blood system Asphyxiation
edema
pressure failure
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PARTICULATE CONTAMINANTS COME FROM MANY
SOURCES AND POSE SERIOUS HEALTH RISKS.
APR unit
PAPR unit
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GASES AND VAPOR ENTER THE BODY IN SEVERAL
WAYS AND ARE VERY DANGEROUS.
Gases Vapors
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A VARIETY OF HARMFUL GASES AND VAPORS CAN BE
FORMED BY COMBUSTION.
Hydrogen Carbon
Sulfur Dioxide Cyanide Monoxide
Carbon Dioxide
Formaldehyde Hydrogen Sulfide
Hydrogen Chloride
Nitrous gases
Phosgene
Ammonia
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NONFIRE INCIDENTS CAN ALSO PRODUCE
DANGEROUS GASES AND VAPORS.
Keep distance Wear SCBA
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AIRBORNE PATHOGENS ARE DISEASE-CAUSING
MICROORGANISMS SUSPENDED IN AIR.
HEPA filters Medical masks
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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION EQUIPMENT IS
DIVIDED INTO TWO MAIN CATEGORIES.
Atmosphere-
supplying
respirators
(ASRs)
Air-purifying Filters
Provides
respirators particulates
breathable air
(APRs) only
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ASRS ARE DIVIDED INTO FURTHER
CATEGORIES.
Atmosphere-supplying
respirators (ASRs)
Supplied air
SCBA
respirators (SARs)
Open-
circuit
Closed-
circuit
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SUPPLIED AIR RESPIRATORS (SARS) ARE USED
ONLY IN SPECIFIC CONDITIONS.
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OPEN-CIRCUIT SCBAS ARE FAR MORE
COMMON THAN CLOSED-CIRCUIT SCBA.
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OPEN-CIRCUIT SCBA CONSISTS OF FOUR
BASIC COMPONENTS.
1. Backplate and
harness assembly
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OPEN-CIRCUIT SCBA CONSISTS OF FOUR
BASIC COMPONENTS.
2. Air cylinder
assembly
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OPEN-CIRCUIT SCBA CONSISTS OF FOUR
BASIC COMPONENTS.
3. Regulator
assembly
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OPEN-CIRCUIT SCBA CONSISTS OF FOUR
BASIC COMPONENTS.
4. Facepiece assembly
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FIT TESTING AND OTHER REGULATIONS APPLY
TO FACEPIECE ASSEMBLIES.
Facial hair should not Approved glasses and
Must be fit-tested
prevent seal contact lenses only
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ADDITIONAL COMPONENTS OF SCBA
PROVIDE SAFETY FEATURES.
Courtesy of Kenneth Baum
Rapid intervention crew
End-of-service-time indicator
universal air coupling (RIC UAC)
(ESTI)
and remote pressure gauge
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AIR-PURIFYING RESPIRATORS (APRS) CONTAIN
SINGLE USE FILTERS FOR AIRBORNE
PARTICULATES.
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APRS ARE USED ONLY IN SPECIFIC INSTANCES
INVOLVING PARTICULATES.
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APRS HAVE LIMITATIONS AND MUST BE
CLOSELY MONITORED.
Filters
Limitations discarded
after use
Clues for loss
Visual ESTIs of
effectiveness
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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION HAS BOTH
WEARER AND EQUIPMENT LIMITATIONS.
Wearer limitations
Lack of physical condition
Lack of agility
Inadequate pulmonary capacity
Weakened cardiovascular ability
Psychological limitations
Unique facial features
Offset by training, medical exams and proper fit testing.
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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION HAS BOTH
WEARER AND EQUIPMENT LIMITATIONS.
Equipment limitations
Limited visibility
Decreased ability to communicate
Decreased endurance
Decreased mobility
Poor condition of apparatus
Low air cylinder pressure
Controlled by inspection, care, maintenance, training.
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NFPA® SAFETY ALERT
High temperature RESULTS:
environments can result in • Elimination of protection meant
for the user’s respiratory system
thermal degradation or
• Exposure to products of
melting of SCBA facepiece combustion and superheated air
lenses.
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SCBA IS STORED ACCORDING TO LOCAL SOPS, BUT
SHOULD BE ABLE TO BE QUICKLY AND EASILY
DONNED.
Protects against
contamination, temperature
changes, and ultraviolet light
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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.
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