SCBA

SELF CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS

STUDENT HANDOUT

Candidate Name: ____________________

Course Session: ____________________
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Date: ________________________
 Wear & Operate Breathing Apparatus
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Student Notes
Description and components 3-4

Physiology of respiration and air consumption 5-7

Entry control 8-10

Ancillary Equipment 11

BA search procedures 12-14

Breathing Apparatus Checks 14-15

BA Cylinders 15-16

Long line BA 16-17

Routine tests for SCBA 18-20

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Breathing Apparatus

Breathing Apparatus is provided in order to enable the wearer to enter and work in an
atmosphere which would otherwise not support life.

It should be the responsibility of the Fire Team Leader or designated person to ensure
that the breathing apparatus is checked on a daily basis and maintained in a condition
that permits it to be used quickly and effectively at all times.

The BA sets should be located in suitable storage containers, at a point which is

suitable for team members to muster prior to being deployed.

Fire fighting personnel should be adequately trained and thoroughly understand all
aspects of breathing apparatus operation procedures.

Breathing Apparatus

Components of a SCBA

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Description

A Breathing Apparatus set consist of a cylinder attached to a formed back plate secured by one
or two quick release cylinder straps and supported on the wearer’s back by a shoulder harness
and waist belt.

A molded neoprene rubber facemask is secured over the face by a head harness fitted over the
wearer’s head. The face mask incorporates a speech diaphragm/exhalation valve. The lung
demand valve is connected to a port on the front or side of the face mask. The visor is clear grade
one impact non scratch perspex.

The compressed air in the cylinder is supplied to the demand valve and to a pressure gauge by
reinforced flexible hoses.

A cylinder valve, within easy reach of the wearer, has to be operated before using the set. This
valve must be opened in order to supply air to the demand valve and the pressure gauge.

A warning whistle device is incorporated in the air system; this will operate at between 50-60
bars and will continue until the cylinder is completely empty.

Physiology of Respiration

To appreciate the need for Breathing Apparatus we must understand a little about respiration.
Respiration is the process by which we provide oxygen to the body and move carbon dioxide
from the body. It is commonly known as breathing. It is a spontaneous or involuntary cyclic
action, unless some physical obstruction or cause intervenes. The actual rate is determined by
the body’s requirement for oxygen.

The cycle is repeated spontaneously about 15 times per minute, increasing to 30 times with
strenuous exercise and alterations in atmospheric conditions. It is obvious that prolonged
muscular exercise causes breathlessness.

When muscles contract, oxygen is used up and carbon dioxide is given off. This increases the
workload on the lungs, and in order to increase the intake of oxygen and the expiration of carbon
dioxide, respiration becomes more rapid.

Life cannot continue without oxygen. All energy, warmth and living tissues of the body are
dependent on oxidation of foodstuffs within the body systems and tissues. The process
consumes oxygen and produces carbon dioxide, which must be exhausted from the body. This
process is carried out by the Respiratory System.

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Respiratory System

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The Cardio respiratory System

The heart represents two pumps, each with its own circuit of blood vessels.

AIR COMPOSITION & ITS USES

GAS INHALED AIR EXHALED AIR AIR USE IN

RESPIRATION
Nitrogen 79.04% 79.04% No active use
Oxygen 20.93% 16.96% Energy
Carbon dioxide 00.03% 04.00% Regulates breathing rate

Thus 4% of oxygen is absorbed and CO2 is increased by the same amount

Air consumption
Why it is important to the operator of breathing apparatus?

TYPE OF WORK AIR CONSUMPTION

At rest Approximate 10 - 15 liters/min.

Gentle movement Approximate 15 - 20 liters/min.
Light work Approximate 20 - 30 liters/min.
Moderately heavy work Approximate 30 - 40 liters/min.
Heavy work Approximate 35 - 55 liters/min.
Maximum effort Approximate 50 - 80 liters/min.

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What does this tell us?

The more work we do the more air we consume. Therefore we can define air consumption as
“the amount of air used for a specific task or work

What effects air consumption?

 Size of wearer
 Physical fitness
 Mental state
 Work rate
 Work conditions
 Condition of the equipment we are using
 Type of equipment we are using
Working duration
As discussed prior, we all consume air at a variety of rates, dependant on task, fitness, state of
mind etc.
To give the wearer an idea of the available air within a cylinder there is a simple equation we can
use.

Normal full BA cylinder = 200 bar

Normal BA cylinder =
9 litres
Average usage =
40 litres per minute

Cylinder volume x Cylinder pressure

= Total volume (litres)

9 litres
x 200
= 1800 litres
1800 litres

= 45 minutes
40 l/pm

45 minutes – 10 minute (safety margin) = 35 minutes (working duration)

Therefore the average person, doing the average work with a full 200 bar cylinder has 35
minutes of air
Using this calculation we can work out the amount of time we are able to work with any cylinder
pressure
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Entry control
To eliminate the need for complicated calculations every time breathing apparatus is to be worn,
the fire service, industrial response teams and many work groups use an entry control board.

Tableau de contrôle d'entrée

Bar 200 190 180 170 160 150 140 130 120
Min 35 33 30 CC 26 24 21 19 17
Bar 110 100 90 80 70 60 50 40
Min CC 12 10 8 5 3 1 0

Set Tallies Time due out Location of team Remarks

The purpose of the board is to enable all personnel at the work site to see who is wearing
breathing apparatus, where they are working and any other comments regarding the work being
carried out. The board is also used to log the time in and then the required time out for each
working team.

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BA Talley

The information required on the tally includes:

 The wearers name – Surname/Initial if possible
 The Set number
 The cylinder pressure as per the last HP test
 Today’s date
 And the time the wearer put the mask on. (Entered by the ECO)
This is then handed to the Entry Control Officer (ECO) at the entry control board prior to entry.
When the BA wearer returns from the work zone – they must report directly to the ECO to
collect their tally and debrief.
Working within this model we can see that we need a minimum of 5 persons whilst working in
breathing apparatus.
ENTRY CONTROL POINTS
An entry control point is a point set up on the perimeter of the risk area in safe clean air to:
 Control the entry and exit of Breathing Apparatus wearers.
 Monitor the safety of Breathing Apparatus wearers.
 Ensure a response to emergency involving Breathing Apparatus wearers.
 Maintain the resources that support Breathing Apparatus wearers.
 At every entry point into an incident where Breathing Apparatus is being worn, an entry
control point is to be established.
The correct siting and number of entry control points is important. When deciding where the
entry control points should be, the following factors should be taken into account:
 The size of the risk area.
 The location of access points to the risk area.
 The number of levels involved.
 Wind direction.
 The physical limitations of the site, taking into account the obstructions in dealing with
the incident and effective control that can exist if the incident area is divided by roads,
railways etc.
 The likely development of the incident.
So that the full duration of the Breathing Apparatus is available for operational use but
without compromising the safety of control personnel, the entry control points should be
sited as close as possible to the scene of operations.
Entry control points should be sited in fresh air, clear of smoke or contaminated
atmosphere and in a position where it will not be necessary to re-position the entry control
point should the incident deteriorate.

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Open air wearing
Whilst normally the requirement is for BA wearers to enter the risk through the
BA entry control board firefighters involved in Helideck fire fighting may wish to
adopt other safe working practices to enable them to carryout their tasks
effectively and safely.
Due to the nature of a Helideck incident the requirement to enter a risk within a
structure is unlikely, helicopters are comparatively small in size and the likely
hood of a firefighter needing to enter the airframe out of view from others during
firefighting operations is slim.
One way to manage this is for BA wearers to;
 Don and start in the recommended fashion (clean, fresh air).
 Remove the tally from ADSU (automatic distress signal unit)
 Clip the tally to the waistband of the BA set.
 Wearer to monitor air consumption
 Each wearer is monitored by other wearers
In this way the wearer is still working with an armed ADSU for personal safety.
There is not a requirement for one firefighter to be used as the ECO. Wearers can
monitor other wearers due to the small area of operations.
(This should be agreed by your emergency planning manager prior to becoming a
standard operating procedure (SOP).

Rescue and Relief Teams

The entry control officer must ensure that at least two personnel wearing breathing
apparatus (but not started up) are available at the entry control point as a rescue team for
breathing apparatus wearers in trouble.

Where local crews are not available the support of the nearest appliance equipped with
breathing apparatus is to be enlisted. Rescue teams may be used as relief teams
providing another rescue team replaces them as soon as possible.

Relief Crew
At incidents where a continuous attack needs breathing apparatus support the entry
control officer shall ensure that there are sufficient relief teams available to sustain the
operational requirements for BA.

Relief teams can include operators that have already been committed to the risk area and
have exited providing their breathing apparatus sets have been re-commissioned and the
team have had refreshments, time to rest and are suffering no physical effects.

Relief teams should be at the entry control point at least 15 minutes before the “time due
out” of any teams working in the incident falls due. Ensure that relief teams enter the
incident at least 10 minutes prior to “time due out” of the team they are relieving. This
is necessary to give ample time for the journey in smoke and often darkness, to the
working point and for the return of the relieved team. Relief teams should enter earlier
if 10 minutes is considered insufficient time for the journey in and the relieved team’s
journey out.

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Entrapment Procedures
If at any stage during your wearing of SCBA you fall, injure yourself or become trapped
then follow these simple rules.

 STAY CALM
Excitement - Fear - Anxiety will use up your air supply
 Send radio message to BAECO telling them the nature of your problem and
location.
 Activate your distress signal unit
 Locate a wall or bulkhead
The emergency stand-by team will move along walls/bulkheads
 Dampen down any burning materials close by
 Relax - sit down, rest yourself.
If you sit down take a recumbent position and relax, your air supply will last
longer. Do not sleep.
 Breath lightly - conserve your air supply
Breathing heavily and rapidly will use up your air supply.
 Listen for emergency stand-by team
The stand-by team will be coming - when you hear them - clap your hands or tapp.
Remember you rely on HEARING and TOUCH in an irrespirable and low visibility
environment?

Auxiliary Equipment
Many breathing apparatus sets have a variety of additional equipment designed to assist
the wearer.

Torch Distress Signal Unit Personal Guideline

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On hearing a DSU or handclap, teams, where practicable, should immediately proceed
to the point of origin of the signal and give assistance. This takes precedence over any
other operations.

There may also be communication equipment available to the BA wearer. All this
equipment has a vital role in ensuring the BA wearer is able to enter the work area,
carry out the task required and safely return.

Precautions when moving in Smoke and Darkness

Due to the unpredictable nature of accidents and incidents at the workplace, visibility
may be affected by the darkness of night or the area becoming smoke logged. Avoid
possible accidents by attention to the following precautions:

 Shuffle (BA Shuffle) - Don’t walk

Keep weight on back foot
(This assists in detecting obstructions, holes, furniture,
stairs, etc).
 Protect Face - Always sweep one hand in front
Back of hand uppermost and feel for obstruction such as
electrical wires
 Negotiate stairs - Slowly, carefully
Test each tread to ensure safety
Proceed down backwards
Keep to the wall (strongest part of stairs)
 Signs of Heat - Feel woodwork, doors, door handles, walls and
bulkheads for signs of heat which may indicate a
Fire on the other side, e.g. blistered paint
 Restrict Water Usage - Refrain from water application on smoke.
Indiscriminate use may collapse stacks of textiles and
Machinery etc. Makes access difficult and blocks exits

BA SEARCH AND RESCUE

Primary Search

Can be used in conjunction with offensive fire fighting and is the initial search
conducted with fire teams gain safe entry into an area that requires respiratory
protection. Consideration should be given for fire team members to take a charged line
of hose in for protection and quick knockdown of flames and provide a means of
identifying the escape route.

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Secondary Search

Is conducted when the situation is contained and more information regarding casualties
is available. The secondary search can be conducted when ventilating and investigating
cause of fire or other emergency. Fire team member must be aware of the need to cause
as little disturbance as is possible, allowing investigation teams to gather all evidence as
to the cause.

Precautions for working in smoke or darkness

1. Keeper together or at least in pairs
2. Communicate with each other
3. Maintain physical contact
4. Shuffle – don’t walk
5. Feel for hot surfaces

When fire teams enter a room, the team turn in the same directions i.e. Left hand search
or right hand search and keep to the walls, feeling under beds, lockers, and stairs and
behind doors. On completion of searching along the walls, complete a diagonal search
across the centre of the room. Use and agreed method to mark the searched rooms such
as closing the door or placing a chair in the doorway.

When search teams become disoriented they should move in one direction only and
reach a wall and follow it.

Communications are to be determined by the Emergency Response Plans or the

facilities standard operation practices. .
Search and Rescue Summary
To enable a rapid yet effective search to be carried out the Breathing apparatus wearer
must follow these guidelines:
 Decide which search route, left or right hand
 Be methodical
 USE THE BA SHUFFLE
 Try to build up a mental picture of the area you are in
 Remember regular pressure gauge checks

When searching a room always begin by checking the external walls, remembering that
people hide when confronted with a fire or smoke logged scenario.
The Breathing Apparatus wearer must therefore check under beds, desks, in cupboards
and any other possible hiding places.

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When working by touch the necessity for caution is obvious and much can be done to
reduce the possibility of accidents by attention to a few simple points. First, remember
to shuffle and not to walk. The weight of the body should be placed on the rear foot
until the advancing foot has tested that it is safe to move forward, and the feet should
not be lifted from the ground. The foot should slide forward this will help detect
obstructions and dangers such as protruding nails etc., which might pierce the boots and
injure the feet. As you move forward you should raise the free hand in front of you with
the back of your hand uppermost to feel for obstructions.
During your search you must communicate often with your team mate and other teams.
You must check you gauge regularly to ensure you have adequate air to retreat from the
building or situation.
When using stairwells, tunnels and elevated walkways always ensure that no more than
one person on the structure at any time. If unsure of the strength of a floor or other
structure always go backwards. This will ensure that if the structure fails you will fall
forwards back to where you have already tested.

Breathing Apparatus Checks

High Pressure Check - (Check for leaks) This check usually takes place after the BA
set has been warn and before it is placed back into service
 Turn on cylinder valve one full turn and pressurise SCBA with air.
 Check for audible leaks.
 Check that pressure within cylinder shows more than 170 bar.
(if not change cylinder)
 Close cylinder valve
 Monitor gauge to ensure the pressure does not drop any more than 10 bar in 60
seconds.
 Exhaust air slowly ensuring the warning whistle sounds at 50 bar and the needle
returns to zero.
 Fill in SCBA records.

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Low Pressure Check - (Prior to the SCBA set being used in an emergency)
 Don set and report to Team Leader / BA Control Officer
 Once you have received a briefing and your task is understood you will be told
to don your mask by the Team Leader / Sub Leader / BACO
 Once the mask is on close the cylinder valve
 Breathe the air from the set until all air is exhausted checking the low pressure
warning whistle operates at 50 bar +/- 1 bar.
 Check for a good seal - this is when the face mask is drawn to the face with no
evidence of air leakage inwards from the atmosphere. The main valve should
then be of course opened immediately
 You are now ready to begin your task.

Weekly Checks
These are not considered to be a standard check as not all industrial breathing apparatus
are checked daily or weekly.
These checks do however allow the wearer to be confident that the SCBA is
operationally ready to be worn and there are records to this effect.

Weekly checks (recommended):

 Visual checks for damage:
 Head harness (spider) straps and shoulder / waist straps are released fully.
 Check Auxiliary equipment
 Carry out high-pressure check
 Carry out low-pressure check
 Fill in company documentation and records
 Check all spare SCBA cylinders
 Run distress signal unit for 10 seconds

Standard Tests
All breathing apparatus is to be tested annually by an approved agent.
These checks ensure that all components are checked and replaced where necessary in
accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Breathing Apparatus Cylinders

Tests:
Hydrostatic stretch test as carried out by TELARC registered testing station at the
following intervals:
Light alloy steel - 2 yearly
Steel - 5 yearly
Aluminium fiber wrap - 2 yearly
Visual - Fiber wrap colour
Visual tests - Annually
Carbon Composite - Annually
If the colour of the fiber wrap becomes opaque the wrap requires renewal.

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Long Line Breathing Apparatus
Quite often it is more practical to use a long line for industrial breathing apparatus
operations. As the name suggests these sets require the operator to carry a length of
hose into a vessel or hazardous area, which in itself can cause numerous issues for the
wearer. These sets should not be used for rescue.

Pre Use Check – Cylinder Unit

The operator should remain in control of the unit throughout the duration of the
operation. It is their responsibility to maintain a supply of air to the breathing apparatus
wearers, to monitor their progress and to order their withdrawal as necessary.

Before the operation commences they must ensure that a sufficient number of cylinders
are onsite and that they are fully charged. This operator termed ‘Surface
Controller/Safety Observer’ should then carry out the following checks on the cylinder
unit.

Check that each high-pressure cylinder coupling is secure. Open cylinder valve no. 1,
check working pressure on high pressure gauge. This should correspond with charging
pressure on the cylinder label, 207 bar. It is recommended that cylinders with less than
170 bar should be replaced.

Note: When the cylinder is turned on, the hose on the reel will fill with air.

Long Line Breathing Apparatus

Check that the low pressure gauge reads between 90 – 100 psi. If it does not, re-set by
means of adjusting screw fitted to underside of the reducing valve as follows:
1. Slacken off lock nut
2. To increase reduced pressure screw in clockwise
3. To decrease reduced pressure screw out anti-clockwise
4. At the same time it is necessary to connect an airline breathing apparatus to the
instant air socket outlet, or hose connection, and operate the apparatus to allow air to
pass through the reducer for a few seconds. At this point the correct reduced
pressure will show on the LP gauge
5. Adjust the screw further if necessary
6. Tighten lock nut.

If the cylinder is full and reduced pressure is correct, turn off the cylinder. Release air
trapped between the cylinder and the reducer by screwing out slowly the release valve
fitted to the cylinder connector. The pointer on the HP gauge will gradually drop back
to zero, check the warning whistle operates at approximately 50 bar for the following
cylinder, 1800 litres/207 bar.
Repeat parts 2 and 4 for the other cylinders fitted to the cylinder unit.

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Once the Surface Controller has completed these checks he should turn on cylinder no.
1 and advise the BA wearers to don their equipment as follows:

Breathing Apparatus - (Positive pressure only).

 Ensure Demand valve switch is in the OFF position)
 Hang the facemask strap around the neck, buckle on waist belt or harness if fitted
 Connect personal length of the airline to the hose reel and to the airline pigtail from
the waist belt
 Check that the demand valve is fitted to the facemask.
 Fit facemask by placing thumbs inside straps putting chin into the outer mask and
against inner mask.
 Tighten lower side straps first, then top side straps and finally top strap by pulling
rubber ends of straps towards back of the head.
 Take several deep breaths to ensure that demand valve is operating correctly.
 Then check correct fit of facemask by disconnecting personal airline from pigtail
 Hold finger over pigtail plug and continue to breathe gently until air remaining in
system is used up and facemask is sucked onto face.
 Hold your breath for a few seconds and note if the facemask moves off the face
indicating an inward leak.

If a leak is detected reconnect personal airline, re-adjust facemask on face and re-test.
When no leaks are detected re-connect airline and indicate to Surface Controller that
you are ready to proceed.
Changing Cylinders
The Surface Controller should keep a careful watch on both pressure gauges, if the low
pressure gauge falls below 85 psi, the wearer should be recalled immediately. USING
PSI & Bars? Lets stick with bar, can you please make the changes

When the high pressure gauges falls below 41 BAR or the warning whistle operates,
whichever is the sooner, turn on the next cylinder slowly.

This cylinder will now take over the supply of air, check the HP gauge shows full
pressure again indicating that this cylinder is full and supplying air.

Important Note:
Should a replacement cylinder be turned on and is found empty, turn on the original
cylinder again, in which approximately 10 minutes of air should be remaining, this will
allow sufficient time for the empty cylinder to be replaced.

 Turn off cylinder no.1. Release the air trapped between the cylinder and reducer by
slowly screwing out the release valve fitted to cylinder connector.
 Disconnect cylinder, undo cylinder clamp and remove cylinder and store well away
from full cylinders. Screw release valve fully in.
 Fit replacement full cylinder, reconnect supply hose to reducer, finger tighten and
refit cylinder clamp.

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Routine tests SCBA

Visual inspection

1. Check that the set is within annual test

2. Check that the face mask is clean. Check that the inner mask is in position
and correctly aligned. Check for foreign matter within the facemask. Check
that the lung demand valve is properly connected to the facemask. Check the
head harness straps are fully extended ready for donning.
3. Ensure that the shoulder and waist harnesses are fully extended, with no
twists. Check for damage to the straps, waist belt clips and buckles.
4. Ensure the shoulder straps are securely threaded through the buckles to the
back plate.
5. Check that the cylinder is correctly secured to the set, that the hoses are
correctly aligned and that all connections are hand tight. Check the back
plate for cracks or abrasions.
6. Ensure that the set mounting bracket operates freely.
7. Check ancillary equipment;
 Torch (secure and working) 10 sec. test.
 D.S.U. (secure and tested) the rubber test switch is in place.
 Personal line (secure and stowed correctly) The 1 and 5m lengths
are secured in appropriate compartments.
 Tally is secured and fully completed.
Note: some of these items may not be fitted to your sets.

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Routine tests SCBA
High pressure test

The high pressure test is done to ensure there are no leaks. The cylinder pressure and low
pressure warning whistle operation are also checked.

1. Operate LDV reset lever.

2. Turn cylinder valve on slowly, wait 30seconds for the gauge to steady and
pneumatic hoses to expand. If cylinder content is below 170 bar (200 bar
cylinder), below 240 bar (300bar cylinders), change the cylinder for a full
replacement.
3. Turn the cylinder valve off.
4. Watch the gauge, it should not fall more that 10bar in 60 sec. If it does this
indicates that there is a leak, and the set has failed the high pressure test, do not
use the set. Replace the set.
5. Enter the correct pressure on the tally.
6. Release the air by activating the supplementary airflow or manual bypass.
Note: for Drager sets; release the air while cupping the LDV to restrict the
airflow.
For Sabre sets operate the manual bypass.
7. The low pressure warning whistle should operate between 60 and 50 bar and all
the way down to 0.
8. Complete BA records sheet.

Mask cavity positive pressure test.

The mask cavity positive pressure test is done to ensure positive pressure within the mask.

 Reset the first breath inhalation mechanism and turn the cylinder on.
 Don the face mask.
 Chin first
 Bottom straps
 Middle straps
 Top strap
 Sweep the harness down the back of the head and ensure it is central
 Re-adjust lower straps
 Re-adjust all other straps.
 Carry out mask cavity positive pressure test. After taking 2 breaths from
the mask, place a finger under the seal of the mask adjacent to the ear
and lift away from face. An audible flow of air should be heard.
Remove the finger and allow the mask to re-seal

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Routine tests SCBA

Low pressure test

The low pressure test is done to ensure the mask has sealed onto the face.

1. Rests the first breath mechanism and turn cylinder on.

2. Don the face mask
3. Take two breaths and turn the cylinder off. Hold breath for 2 seconds while
watching the gauge. Gauge reading must not drop.
4. Release the two bottom straps and remove the face mask.
5. Extend all straps ready for donning
6. Reset first breath mechanism
7. Clean facemask

Additional weekly checks

1. Check all spare BA cylinder contents and test dates.

2. Operate DSU for 20 secs.
3. Check the entry control board and pouch to ensure;
 EC board is clean
 EC clock is working and correct time
 A china graph pencil is attached
 That there is a cleaning cloth available with a spare pencil and sharpener
 ECO jerkin is present.

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