P-419 Use of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus

Date of Issue: 2002/04/08
Revision Date: 2006/02/15

PURPOSE: 

To establish a policy for members of the Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency to ensure the maximum amount of protection from any respiratory contact with products of combustion, super-heated gases, toxic products, other hazardous contaminants, or from any atmosphere for which lungs are the principal route of entry into the body. Compliance is a requirement under CSA Standard, Z94.4-93 - Selection, Use and Care of Respirators.

OBJECTIVE:

The achievement of the objectives of this policy is intended to help prevent respiratory exposures, and to reduce the severity of those which do occur, and to reduce the probability of occupational fatalities, and disabilities affecting fire service personnel.

SCOPE: 

This policy applies to all members of the Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency. 

POLICY:

It is the policy of the Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency Service that all personnel expected to respond and function in areas of atmospheric contamination, shall be equipped with self-contained breathing apparatus (S.C.B.A.) and trained in its proper use and maintenance.


PROCEDURES:

Each member of the Operations Division shall be accountable for one (1) S.C.B.A. at the beginning of each shift, after each use, and at any time it may be necessary to render the equipment in a ready state of condition. On apparatus that has more S.C.B.A.s than assigned members, the apparatus operator will be responsible for the condition of the remaining  S.C.B.A.s. All S.C.B.A.s assigned to permanently staffed apparatus shall be inspected at the beginning of each shift. All S.C.B.A.s assigned to apparatus staffed with Volunteers shall be inspected at least once a week. This inspection shall include checks of the following: 

(a)    Hose connectors, hoses, cylinders, face-piece, headbands, regulators, harness components, and gauges.

(b)    Pressure gauges of all breathing gas cylinders in service shall indicate that the cylinders are filled to the rated pressure marked on the cylinder. Cylinders indicating less than 10% of the rated pressure (4050 psi for 4500 psi cylinders) shall be recharged in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

(c)    Particular attention should be paid to signs of corrosion and deterioration. Each engine, aerial, tanker, reserve and tactical support crew member shall be assigned a specific S.C.B.A. by the station officer. In the absence of a station officer, the senior firefighter will assign a specific S.C.B.A. to each crew member. Each crew member will be responsible for the proper use and function of their assigned S.C.B.A.

If an S.C.B.A. is found to be functioning improperly, it shall be reported to the station officer or senior firefighter, tagged with a description of the problem, taken out of service until repaired and tested. In stations #2 18, the S.C.B.A. shall be replaced immediately with the spare S.C.B.A. that is to be kept in each Core station. These spare
S.C.B.A’s are to be kept in a clear plastic bag and tagged as spare. When these spare units are utilized, a work order shall be sent to Logistics personnel requesting a replacement unit for the station.

While working in confined spaces Airline Supplied Breathing Apparatus (A.S.B.A.) may be used in place of S.C.B.A. All personnel operating in the following environments shall have face-pieces in place, breathing air from the supply provided:

•    In an atmosphere which is suspected of being contaminated or oxygen deficient
•    In an atmosphere which may suddenly become contaminated.
•    In an oxygen deficient atmosphere.
•    In a contaminated atmosphere.

This includes all personnel operating:

•    In an active fire area.
•    Directly above an active fire area.
•    In a potential explosion or fire area, including gas leaks and fuel spills. 
•    Where products of combustion are visible in the atmosphere, including vehicle fires and dumpster fires.
•    Where invisible contaminants are suspected to be present (i.e. Carbon Monoxide during overhaul). 
•    Where toxic products are present, suspected to be present, or may be released without warning.
•    In any confined space which has not been tested to establish respiratory safety.

In addition to the above, S.C.B.A. shall be worn by all personnel operating at fire incidents above ground, below ground, or in any other area which is not, but which may become contaminated by products of combustion or other hazardous substances. In these circumstances only, the S.C.B.A. may be worn with the face-piece removed. The wearing of S.C.B.A. in these situations provides that it will be immediately available for use if conditions change, or if personnel are to enter an area where the use of

S.C.B.A. is required.

In routine fire situations, the decision to remove S.C.B.A. shall be made by the Incident Commander based on an evaluation of atmospheric conditions. Prior to the removal of S.C.B.A., fire areas shall be thoroughly ventilated, and where necessary, continuous ventilation shall be provided.

During times of overhaul smoldering materials may produce increased quantities of carbon monoxide and other toxic products. In these cases S.C.B.A. shall not be removed until the level of CO has been monitored and verified to be below 25 ppm. (Refer to the Operating Guideline on Carbon Monoxide Incidents # 4021 for further information.)

When a member must wear spectacles while using an S.C.B.A., the face-piece shall be fitted with spectacles in such a manner that it shall not interfere with the face-to-face-piece seal.

Spectacles with any strap or temple bars that pass through the face-piece to face seal area shall be prohibited.

Use of contact lenses shall be permitted during S.C.B.A. use, provided that the member has previously demonstrated successful long-term contact lens use.

The face-piece seal capability shall be verified by quantitative testing on an annual basis for of all personnel expected to respond and function in areas of atmospheric contamination. During fit testing, members shall wear all gear that may interfere with the fit of the face-piece. This shall include the member’s fire helmet, flash-hood, and turnout coat, and also an S.C.B.A. back-plate and cylinder. These tests are to determine that members are equipped with a properly fitted face-piece, and shall not be conducted on personnel who are not clean shaven. If necessary, a  face-piece of larger or smaller size will be provided to give the individual an adequate seal, and such individuals shall use only the face-piece provided.

It must be emphasized that facial hair characteristics change daily, so any test of face-piece fit, or how long the breathing air cylinder will last on one day will be different on succeeding days. Nothing shall be allowed to enter or pass through the area where the respiratory protection face-piece is designed to seal with the face, regardless of the specific fit test measurement that can be obtained.

An effective face to face-piece seal is extremely important when using S.C.B.A. The Face-piece should seal tightly against the skin, without penetration or interference by any protective clothing or other equipment. Even a minor leakage can allow contaminants to enter the face-piece, even with positive pressure S.C.B.A. This can occur when the air supply is over breathed due to the high work rates that occur during firefighting. Any outward leakage will increase the rate of air consumption, reducing the time available for use. Reduced duration poses an obvious threat to a firefighter’s safety, their co-workers’ safety, and to their ability to fight fires effectively.

Some of the principles applied in developing and applying this policy are that as a worst case scenario any facial hair may cause failure of the face-piece seal. One of the intents of this policy is to eliminate any chance of facial hair compromising the face-piece to face seal or the operation of the exhalation valve. At best facial hair may minimize the effectiveness of the protection intended to be provided by S.C.B.A. No facial hair shall be permitted to interfere with the exhalation valve, which may cause the valve to remain open, allowing a continuous escape of air.

To eliminate, or at least minimize the likelihood of the user’s face-piece seal being compromised, the following guidelines shall be adhered to:

a)    All personnel that are expected to respond and function in areas of atmospheric contamination shall be clean shaven.
b)    Due to the potential for compromising the face-piece-to-face seal, facial hair grown shall be kept well-trimmed.
c)    Facial hair grown around the mouth shall not be kept in such a manner that may interfere with the operation of the face-piece exhalation valve.
d)    Facial hair will not come between the mask seal and the skin. Facial hair includes, but is not limited to: sideburns, moustaches, any form/type of beard, etc. There shall be NO HAIR BETWEEN THE MASK SEAL AND THE WEARER’S SKIN ensuring the mask seal shall be in full contact with the face (Temple hair may be the only exception).

Any violations of this policy will result in the Firefighter being immediately removed from duty until the hair is removed. Discipline may be imposed to the Firefighter and Station Officer for this offence.

RELATED POLICIES/ OPERATING GUIDELINES:

•    OG 1503 Assigned Breathing Apparatus

POLICY REVIEW:

This policy shall be reviewed when/if there are changes/amendments to the procedure utilized for self-contained breathing apparatus.