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SCBA Testing and Usage Procedures

The document provides information on a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) training course. The course aims to teach knowledge and skills for using SCBA equipment and performing rescues. Key topics covered include donning, using, inspecting and testing SCBA gear, as well as its components like face masks, air cylinders and valves. Trainees will learn to properly wear SCBA during normal and hazardous operations and conduct basic rescues of others.

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Aws Adel
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© All Rights Reserved
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41 views19 pages

SCBA Testing and Usage Procedures

The document provides information on a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) training course. The course aims to teach knowledge and skills for using SCBA equipment and performing rescues. Key topics covered include donning, using, inspecting and testing SCBA gear, as well as its components like face masks, air cylinders and valves. Trainees will learn to properly wear SCBA during normal and hazardous operations and conduct basic rescues of others.

Uploaded by

Aws Adel
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Self Contained Breathing

Apparatus

1
Course Aims

 Aims of the course are to provide knowledge,


understanding and skill for competence in:
 basic use and testing of self contained breathing
apparatus (SCBA)
 basic rescue techniques both individually and team
member wearing SCBA

2
Course Objectives

 On completion of course attendees will be able to


demonstrate:
 pre and post usage, inspection and testing of SCBA
 ability to confidently wear SCBA during routine
operations
 ability to confidently wear SCBA during non-routine
activities (working at height and in darkness)
 ability to carry out a basic simulated single-handed
rescue of a co-worker
 ability as a member of a team to carry out a basic
rescue of a co-worker while wearing SCBA in a
simulated operational environment

3
Why SCBA?
 SCBA can protect against respiratory
hazards:
 chemical - toxic gases and vapours
 physical - dust
 biological - bacterial viruses and infections
 Prevents ingress by:
 inhalation
 ingestion
 eye contact
 physical contact with face
4
Why SCBA?

 SCBA protects against specific


types of respiratory hazard:
 hydrogen sulphide
 methane
 sulphur dioxide
 carbon dioxide
 oxygen deficient/enriched

5
SCBA Use
 SCBA used for:
 gas testing
 rescue of casualty in enclosed or confined space
 fire fighting
 containing or cleaning toxic spills
 where use of cascade system air supply dangerous
 recovering control of adverse operational situation
 in case of an emergency

6
SCBA Components
Main Parts:
 Face Mask

 Back plate

 Cylinder

7
SCBA Components

 Components: Back
plate
 reducing valve
 whistle
 pressure gauge
 harness
 face mask
 lung demand valve

8
SCBA Components
Cylinder
 Weight : 9 kgs
 Working pressure : 300 bar
 Nominal Working time : 30 mins
 Safe (escape) time : 10 mins (0-50
bars) for whistle to blow
 Filling capacity : 9 ltrs
9
SCBA Components

Face Mask - Open
Circuit
 Exhales outside the mask, into
the atmosphere
 No re-cycling of air is done

Problems with the face mask:


 Facial Hair
 Corrective Spectacles
 Psychological Disturbances
 Miscellaneous Sealing Problems
 small or irregular shaped faces
 using mask in enclosed space

10
SCBA Key Features

 SCBA key features:


 positive pressure system
 open circuit
 demand valve
 pressure reducer

11
Using SCBA

 Donning SCBA procedure:


 visually check for obvious damage
 extend shoulder straps and waist belt fully
 lift set over one arm and shoulder
 draw to body with other arm
 place face mask neck strap over head and secure
 fasten waist belt around body
 secure with set sitting comfortably on hips
 pull shoulder straps until comfortable over shoulders
 re-set lung demand valve by pushing lever forward
12
SCBA Testing

 SCBA high pressure test:


 slowly open air cylinder valve
 raise pressure to maximum
 close cylinder valve
 listen for air leaks
 air pressure must not drop more than 10 bar in 1 minute
 If air pressure gauge drops more than 10 bar in 1 minute
leak in present
 if leak cannot be remedied set not to be used

13
SCBA Testing

 Whistle warning unit:


 remove demand valve from face mask
 cover demand valve outlet with palm of hand
 press centre of rubber cover
 release pressure slowly
 when whistle emits audible warning

14
SCBA Testing

 Whistle warning unit:


 note air pressure on gauge
 audible whistle warning air pressure 50 bar +/- 5
bar
 whistle warning during use indicates low air
pressure
 user must immediately go to safe place or
 replace air cylinder with fully charged unit

15
Donning SCBA
 Donning face mask with mask
connected to SCBA set, straps fully
extended with lung demand valve open:
 place harness over head
 position mask over face
 pull lower two straps straight back
 pull middle two straps straight back
 pull top strap straight back
 secure mask to face

16
SCBA Testing
 Face mask seal test ( Low pressure test)
 breath normally with air valve open
 close air cylinder valve
 continue to breath normally
 note air pressure when whistle activates
 face mask will collapse onto face
 open air cylinder valve
 inhale 3-4 times
 listen for leaks
 depress rubber cone to check supplementary supply
17
SCBA Testing

 After face mask seal test:


 release head harness buckles
 reset lung demand valve
 remove face mask
 close air cylinder valve
 press centre of lung demand valve to vent air
 reset lung demand valve

18
SCBA Removal

 After using SCBA set:


 release waist belt
 extend shoulder straps
 remove face mask neck strap
 remove set from shoulders
 carefully place set down safely

19

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