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HomeMy WebLinkAbout311.001 - Self Contained Breathing ApparatusEffective Date: October 2007 Shane Brown, Fire Captain Current Revision Date: 03/06/2024 Section 311.001 Next Revision (1) Date: 03/66/2029 Page 1 of 10 300 Training and Equipment Manual SECTION 311.001 SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to outline the care and use of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department) members based on NFPA 1500, Section 7.1, Cleaning and Decontamination. APPLICATION A standard issue positive pressure SCBA is provided by the Department any time firefighting personnel encounter an atmosphere thought to be immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH), an SCBA shall be used. OPERATIONAL POLICY NIOSH and Cal-OSHA regulations state any time a firefighter encounters an IDLH atmosphere, he/she shall use an SCBA. Inspection of the entire SCBA shall occur at the beginning of each shift, after each use, and on the detailed Sunday check. SCBAs that fail to operate correctly shall immediately be placed out of service and collected for further investigation. If during fire operational use, the SCBA fails in any way, the user shall IMMEDIATELY exit the IDLH atmosphere. If unable to exit immediately, a firefighter MAYDAY is to be initiated. OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE This section intentionally left blank. Fresno City Fire Department Effective Date: October 2007 Shane Brown, Fire Captain Current Revision Date: 03/06/2024 Section 311.001 Next Revision (1) Date: 03/06/2029 Page 2 of 10 PROCESS The inspection process will begin with a cursory visual inspection of the shoulder straps, control module/PASS, harness, waist straps, and bottle. General cleanliness, cuts, nicks, frays, and gouges, especially on the pressure cylinder, are to be noted. Additionally, the status of the battery will be checked. 1. Weekly Inspection for SCBAs: a. Open cylinder pressure valve slowly. b. Ensure the audible low air alarm bell, as well as the PASS device, is activated. When activated, the PASS and buddy lights should illuminate green. SCBA will perform a system check. A green check is good. A red “X” indicates a system error and the SCBA should be placed out of service and not used. c. Once activated, the battery status can be checked by pressing a green button. Low battery will be indicated by two yellow bars. Replace the battery if at two yellow bars or less. d. Compare the pressure on the control module and the cylinder gauge. Ensure the readings on the graphical display and analog gauge are consistent with cylinder pressure, within 225 psi. e. Wait 20 seconds for the PASS alarm to activate in pre-alert mode. f. Confirm pre-alert can be heard from the speaker module. g. Once the PASS has activated in pre-alert, it should build for 10 seconds until it reaches full alert. h. Once the full alert mode has been activated, deactivate the full-alert mode by double tapping a green button. i. Manually check the full-alert mode by pressing and holding the red button in the center of the PASS. j. Check the operation of ITIC (Hold one of the green buttons for 3 seconds to activate. Move the camera around to check for proper refresh-rate. Hold a green button for 3 seconds to return to main screen.) Effective Date: October 2007 Shane Brown, Fire Captain Current Revision Date: 03/06/2024 Section 311.001 Next Revision (1) Date: 03/06/2029 Page 3 of 10 k. Perform general inspection on the face piece. Don the face piece and check for proper seal. l. Inspect the regulator for damage, check the regulator operation by connecting to the face piece (regulator has only one orientation – bypass on the right) and breathing. Confirm positive pressure by breaking the seal. m. Ensure the speaker module activates and emits the blue light. Test the speaker by speaking in a normal voice. n. Close the cylinder valve. Slowly bleed the remaining air pressure in the system, paying close attention to the analog gauge on the control module. o. Looking at the analog gauge on control module, stop the bleed of the air just above the 1575 psi mark of the analog gauge on the control module. p. The audible, low-air bell should activate at this time. q. Continue to bleed the remainder of the air from the system, alarm should continue to sound down to 200 psi. r. CLOSE THE BYPASS and ensure the PASS device is turned OFF by pressing a green button twice. Note: If no low-air warning sounds after bleeding the unit down or upon initially opening the cylinder valve, do the following: i. Begin the process again. ii. When re-testing the SCBA during the cylinder pressure bleed-down, slow the bleed-off rate as the analog gauge on control module approaches 1575 psi. iii. If after the second attempt at the bleed-down process the low-air warning does not sound IMMEDIATELY, place the ENTIRE UNIT (SCBA bottle and harness) out of service. 2. Problems During Fire Operations, Inspection or Training: The following procedures are to be utilized if the SCBA fails to operate correctly at any time: Effective Date: October 2007 Shane Brown, Fire Captain Current Revision Date: 03/06/2024 Section 311.001 Next Revision (1) Date: 03/06/2029 Page 4 of 10 a. Immediately remove the SCBA from service. DO NOT change the bottle or any of the settings or valve arrangements on the SCBA. b. The entire SCBA (cylinder, harness, and face piece) should be kept together when practical and applicable. The SCBA shall be wrapped with caution tape to prevent anyone else from using it. The Safety Officer shall be notified of the failure and the location of the SCBA. The Safety Officer, or designee, shall take possession of the SCBA. c. The Safety Officer shall conduct an investigation, which includes photographing the affected SCBA and interviewing all involved parties. d. As soon as is practical, the Safety Officer shall transport the SCBA to the air shop and transfer the unit to the air shop technician. The unit shall be handled as a piece of evidence in an investigation. The rules of chain of custody for evidence shall apply. e. Once the air shop technician takes possession of the SCBA, a bench test shall be immediately conducted on the harness, bottle, and mask. If the failure occurs outside normal business hours, the SCBA is to be placed in a secure locker in the air shop, and the air shop technician should perform the bench test at the beginning of the next business day. The results of the bench test shall be forwarded to the originating Safety Officer and the Training Division Deputy Chief. Prior to the end of the shift, the Safety Officer is to complete a summary of events, based on their investigation, and forward their findings to the Training Division Deputy Chief. f. The Training Division is to review the Safety Officer and air shop technician findings and produce a summary report for the Fire Chief and Safety Committee. g. The Company Officer initiating this process will ensure an Alert is initiated in PSTrax. 3. Replacement and Tracking of Equipment Placed Out of Service: a. Upon returning to quarters, the fire company is to use a spare SCBA harness if one is assigned to the station. If there is no spare SCBA available, one can be obtained through the air room manager or a Battalion Chief. Effective Date: October 2007 Shane Brown, Fire Captain Current Revision Date: 03/06/2024 Section 311.001 Next Revision (1) Date: 03/06/2029 Page 5 of 10 b. Each apparatus carries one spare mask. The member in need of replacement may use the spare mask provided the face piece matches the size the member was fit tested for. c. A replacement face piece should be requisitioned from the Battalion Chief as soon as possible. If immediate replacement is necessary, the shop vehicle, which carries one spare face piece of each size, may be requested. d. The company officer will manage the process of documenting the failure including creating an alert in PSTrax and ensure the SCBA exchange is documented on the Station Disbursal form FD-46. 4. Storage and Care of SCBA Cylinders: a. All SCBA cylinders are to be stored with the valve facing outward if placed horizontally, or valve placed upward facing if the cylinder is stored vertically. b. Cylinders, regardless of pressure, should be stored in a manner so if damage to the valve should occur it would not become a projectile. c. Full, empty, or partially empty cylinders should be placed in apparatus torpedo tubes with the valve facing outward. d. To determine if the cylinder is empty or full, check the valve gauge. e. Cylinders should never be completely drained. Even the slightest amount of pressure in the cylinder will keep out moisture and contaminants. f. Cylinders should never be stored with the valves open. g. Cylinders found empty with the valve open, should be closed, tagged, and sent in for inspection. h. If the cylinder is less than 4000 psi, replace the cylinder. i. Inspect the cylinder valve for signs of damage. The valve may be opened slightly to ensure it operates properly. Be sure to fully close the valve. Do not over tighten the valve as this may lead to damage. j. Inspect the cylinder body for cracks, dents, weakened areas, corrosive agents causing the fibers to break or peel, or signs of heat- Effective Date: October 2007 Shane Brown, Fire Captain Current Revision Date: 03/06/2024 Section 311.001 Next Revision (1) Date: 03/06/2029 Page 6 of 10 related damage. If the cylinder is damaged, tag it with notation and send it in for inspection. k. Check the hydrostatic test date on the cylinder approval sticker located on the cylinder. Carbon-wrapped cylinders must be tested every five years. 5. Service Testing of SCBA Bottles: a. Cylinders contain one green stripe at the top, identifying that it is a 4500 PSI cylinder. b. At the bottom of the cylinder is the FRN designator with a green stripe above it. The stripe below the FRN designator will vary between 4 colors (red, orange, green, yellow), relating to hydrostatic testing cycle. The air shop will send notifications with a specific color band for bottles that need to be sent in for service. c. When inspecting the cylinder, make note of the last recorded hydrostatic testing date (month/year) located below the top green stripe. Ensure the date is within 5 years. Notify the air shop if the hydrostatic test date is past due. Effective Date: October 2007 Shane Brown, Fire Captain Current Revision Date: 03/06/2024 Section 311.001 Next Revision (1) Date: 03/06/2029 Page 7 of 10 6. Logging SCBAs on an Apparatus: a. SCBAs are assigned a three-digit ID number located on the backplate (FRN-000). b. SCBA packs are assigned to an apparatus and a spare pack is assigned to the station. c. SCBA tracking and testing is done using PSTrax. 7. Face Masks: a. Masks should be marked with black Sharpie ink on the bottom of the back of the head net with the member’s last name (each member should have 2 head nets). b. Masks also have a three-digit identifier etched on mask frame on right side next to size marking. c. If a permanent replacement face piece is needed, the head net should be removed and placed on the new face piece. (The air shop will make the determination.) Effective Date: October 2007 Shane Brown, Fire Captain Current Revision Date: 03/06/2024 Section 311.001 Next Revision (1) Date: 03/06/2029 Page 8 of 10 d. Steps for cleaning the mask: i. Remove the mask-mounted regulator from the face piece. ii. Remove nose cup from mask. iii. Thoroughly wash the face piece and nose cup in the approved cleaning solution (MSA Confidence Plus 2 or Dawn Soap). A soft brush or sponge can be used to clean the soiled face piece. iv. Rinse the face piece and components in clean, warm (110°F) water (preferably running and draining). Alternatively, users may allow the face piece to soak for 10 minutes in Confidence Plus solution to fully disinfect. Rinse thoroughly after soaking. v. Clean and exercise the pressure-demand exhalation valve by pressing in on the stem and flushing it with clean water. vi. For soiled head nets, remove from face piece and wash in the extractor on “hood” setting. vii. Allow the face piece to air dry. The face piece can trap water, which could enter the regulator. Do not dry the parts by placing them near a heater or in direct sunlight. The rubber will deteriorate. viii. Operate the exhalation valve by hand to be sure it works properly. ix. Thoroughly dry the face piece and HUD after cleaning and disinfecting. The face piece can trap water, which could enter the regulator. e. All stations are supplied with the approved cleaning solution for proper mask cleaning. 8. Cleaning of SCBA: If the SCBA is soiled (i.e., heavy smoke residue or dirt accumulation), use a sponge dampened with mild soap solution or use a soft/medium bristle brush to remove deposits which may interfere with the normal operation of: Effective Date: October 2007 Shane Brown, Fire Captain Current Revision Date: 03/06/2024 Section 311.001 Next Revision (1) Date: 03/06/2029 Page 9 of 10 a. Harness (removable straps and buckles). b. Cylinder Carrier (band and latch assembly). c. Cylinder (handwheel, gauge, outlet connection). d. Cylinder quick connect and alarm bell. e. Control Module/Pass device. Note: DO NOT CLEAN THE SCBA PACK WITHOUT THE LITHIUM-ION BATTERY IN PLACE. THIS PREVENTS THE INTRODUCTION OF MOISTURE AND DEBRIS INTO THE BATTERY CONNECTION. DO NOT USE WATER TO CLEAN INSIDE OF THE SECOND STAGE REGULATOR OR QUICK- CONNECT ASSEMBLY. If needed, contact the air shop to utilize the SCBA Solo Washer decon machine. f. First Stage Regulator (PR14). Alarm bell, dovetail joint, and UAC fitting. g. Second Stage Regulator. Cover the outlet of the Regulator to prevent water, dirt, or debris from entering. h. Inspect the entire SCBA as it is reassembled. INFORMATION The Department SCBA meets all requirements of the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 1981 SCBA Standard, NFPA 1982 (PASS) standard and NIOSH CBRN standard (2007 Edition). It should be operated by properly trained members only in accordance with NFPA 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program, for proper use of SCBAs in the work environment. DEFINITIONS This section intentionally left blank. Effective Date: October 2007 Shane Brown, Fire Captain Current Revision Date: 03/06/2024 Section 311.001 Next Revision (1) Date: 03/06/2029 Page 10 of 10 CROSS-REFERENCES MSA G1 SCBA Operation and Instruction Manual.pdf NFPA 1981, Standard on Open-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus for Emergency Services NFPA 1982, Standard on Personal Alert Safety Systems (PASS) NFPA 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety, Health, and Wellness Program NIOSH CBRN Respiratory Protection Standards (2007 Edition) Training and Equipment Manual Section 316.023, Inspection for a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Section 316.024, Don and Doff Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)