Saturday, January 18, 2014

The Role Of Firefighter SCBA In Firefighting

By Judy Sullivan


Self contained breathing apparatus also known as firefighter SCBA is normally won by firefighters and other rescue workers as a source of breathable air in otherwise hostile environment. The device is independent from remote supplies like a long hose hence the term self contained. The basic SCBA has three main components, an insulation connection, a high-pressure tank and a pressure regulator.

A basic self contained breathing apparatus comes with three distinct parts. These are a high pressure air tank, a pressure regulator and an insulated connecting. Just like the helmet and the suit, this device is a matter of life and death to a firefighter. The modern gadgets have improvements including face mask and are generally much lighter to carry around. The stainless air tank and the rest of components are designed to allow for continuous air flow in every environment.

In Europe, any supplier of SCBA devices is required to comply with Personal Protective Equipment Directive (89/686/EEC) requirements which are basically the reinforcement of European Standard EN 137: 2006 requirements. This normally details for performance, markings and the information given to the users. If the equipment is fully compliant and reliably operates at the range of -30C to +60C with different and severely stimulated conditions gets certification of approval.

The suppliers in Canada and the United States too have similar requirements. They are guided by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA Standards 1981) that give their label as an indication of compliance. The National Institute for Occupation Safety and Health (NIOSH) is the authority that gives similar certification for compliance in the areas of biological, chemical, nuclear and radiological environment.

When specifically designed for firefighting, emphasis is put on heat and flame resistance more than cost. The flame resistant materials that are also light in weight are normally exotic making these devices generally expensive. The modern equipment has PASS (Personal Alert Safety System) or Automatic Distress Signal Unit (ADSU) device in addition to the primary components. This is meant to emit distinctive alarm tone used for location. They get activated automatically when they sense no movement for between 15-30 seconds.

Given their complexity particularly in a panic mode, it is important that every potential user is engaged on continuous drill regardless of level of training and experience. This is particularly because these devices mean life or death to firefighters. Thinking of past failures and fatalities normally give the starting point for the drills.

Some of the drills that can prove important include self contained breathing apparatus check involving their operational readiness, consumption drill that helps determine the period a specific bottle lasts for the user and last-breath drills that determine consumption rates and the confidence level of the user.

Firefighter SCBA can be the difference between life and death to firefighters. This means that the users must be well trained on operating them. In the practical sense, no amount of training can be considered enough, this therefore calls for continuous drilling. The sourcing of the equipment must also be done from certified suppliers.




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