SOG 2-03 SELF CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS (SCBA)
A. Scope:
This operational guideline shall be followed to comply with the requirements of OSHA 29CFR 1910.134, NFPA 1404 and NFPA 1500 as it relates to the Immediate Dangers To Life or Health (IDLH) atmosphere.
B. Guidelines:
1.The selection and purchase of SCBA shall be:
a.An open circuit positive pressure design and comply with all current applicable standards that exist at the time of purchase.
b.A minimum duration of air cylinders shall be 30 minute.
2.The SCBA shall be tested annually by a third party authorized by the fire department.
3.Composite cylinders shall be hydrostatic tested every five (5) years from the date of manufacture or last test date.
a. No cylinder shall be used which is out of date.
4.All face pieces shall be tested annually. This testing shall be done in conjunction with the annual testing of harnesses.
5.No firefighter shall make any alterations to any SCBA equipment.
6.Only manufacturer approved equipment shall be added to the SCBA harness, cylinders or face pieces.
7. SCBA units shall be properly secured in the bracket provided on each vehicle.
8.Spare cylinders shall be stored in the brackets or holder provided and shall not be stored loose or where they may be at risk of damage.
9.At scenes of substantial duration, driver/operators shall make efforts to keep SCBA from freezing after use by storing them in the heated areas of the apparatus (where and when practical).
10.Medical Certification for use Training
a.All personnel who are expected to use SCBA shall be evaluated and certified on an annual basis.
b.A pulmonary function test shall be used as the evaluation method and shall be conducted by a third party authorized by the fire department.
c.All new personnel shall be medically evaluated prior to initial SCBA use.
d.Record of the medical evaluation shall be kept in the individual’s occupational health file.
e.All personnel shall annually be fit tested to ensure proper face piece size. This test shall be con- ducted by SCBA maintenance personnel.
f. All new personnel shall be fit tested prior to initial SCBA use.
g.Records of this testing shall be maintained by the members personnel file.
11.All personnel shall be trained in the proper use of SCBA. The training of personnel is under the auspices of the Asst Chief.
12.The Asst Chief shall keep a list of all personnel trained to wear SCBA.
13.The department performance standard for complete donning of SCBA shall be sixty (60) seconds (NFPA 1001).
14.The SCBA shall be inspected at the beginning of each shift
a.Air pressure within the green section of the cylinder pressure gauge.
b.Visual inspection of straps and harness
c.High pressure hose connector is tight
d.Unit is clean and secured properly
e.The by-pass valve is operating properly
f.The PASS device and Heads Up Display are in working condition
g.The regulator is attached to the belt holder
h.Turn on air supply and breath off the regulator to ensure proper function
i.Check flashlight for proper working order
15.All interior firefighters shall be issued a personal face piece.
a.The inspection and cleaning are the responsibility of the wearer.
i. Visual inspection of the face piece and head harness
ii.Check for a tight seal
iii.Exhalation valve is working properly
iv.Nose cup is properly installed
b.The face piece shall be kept in the bag when not in use.
16.Firefighters shall not wear SCBA’s with facial hair.
17.Firefighters shall don SCBA in the following scenarios:
a.The atmosphere is hazardous.
b.The atmosphere is suspected of being hazardous.
c.The atmosphere may rapidly become hazardous.
d.During confined space and/or below grade operations.
e.In any oxygen deficient atmosphere.
f.When instructed to do so by an officer.
18.Personnel responding to a potential fire incident shall have SCBA strapped on and ready for use when reporting to the Incident Commander for assignment.
19.Firefighters operating in SCBA shall do so in teams of at least two (2), in accordance with guideline SOG 2-6, 2 in-2 out policy.
20.SCBA shall continue to be utilized during all phase of suppression activities including overhaul.
21.Firefighters shall utilize The Rule of Air Management (ROAM) when operating in an IDLH atmosphere.
a.Know how much air you have before entering an IDLH
b.Manage your air as you proceed
c.Exit the IDLH before the low air alarm activates
22.After every use of a SCBA, the wearer shall be responsible for the following:
a.Clean and wipe dry the harness, cylinder and face piece
b.Fill all empty cylinders
c.Perform an inspection of the SCBA
23.The routine refilling of cylinders shall be done in accordance with the recommendations of the cylinder and cascade system manufacturers.
24.The following is the procedure that shall be used for refilling air cylinders:
a.Each firefighter is responsible for filling their cylinders after an incident.
b.Cylinders are to be refilled at the Station or at a mobile cascade unit on scene
c.Cylinder number and hydrostatic test date shall be documented in log book
d.Ensure that the proper numbers of cylinders are returned to the apparatus
e.If a cylinder is damaged, replace it with a spare.
25.Any time there is need for repair of SCBA equipment, it shall be tagged with a brief description of the problem.
a.A text messages and email shall be sent to the Chief Officers for all equipment placed out of service
26.The compressor at station shall be inspected weekly by station personnel for the following:
a.Check oil level and fill if needed
b.Open the drain located in the lower rear of the compressor
c.Ensure the regulator is set at “0”
d.Run the compressor for a minimum of thirty (30) minutes
27.Compressor maintenance shall be done by a certified repair facility.
28.Personnel shall not wear standard eyeglasses in conjunction with SCBA.
a.Spectacles which break the seal of a face piece are prohibited.
b.Contact lenses are permitted
c.Spectacle kits attach to the inside of the face piece and lenses are available
29.It shall be the responsibility of the Chief officers to insure that records are kept for each of the following areas:
a.Serial numbers of face pieces, harnesses, and cylinders
b.Air quality testing results
c.SCBA equipment out of service for repair
d.SCBA equipment testing and repairs
e.Compressor repairs and routine maintenance