There is no other risky occupation like firefighting and rescuing people from hostile environments particularly when the breathing air gets poisoned. In order to reduce exposure to this danger and execute their mission successfully, firefighters use special equipment, one of which is the self contained breathing apparatus, widely known as firefighter SCBA. The term self contained is used to signify that it independent from remote air supply.
The basic components of a firefighter SCBA include a high pressure tank of breathing air, the insulated connecting pipes and a pressure regulator. The modern ones are more efficient with many additional features the most common being a face mask and lighter tank. The general design must allow for shoulder-carrying of victims with no hindrance. It must also allow for uninterrupted air flow no matter the environmental conditions.
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 situation is not quite different in the United States of America and Canada where these devices must meet National Fire Protection Association guidelines, NFPA Standard 1981. When fully compliant with firefighting requirements, it earns 1981 NFPA compliant label. In addition to this, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have their own certification program designed for use in biological, chemical, radiological and nuclear environment.
The firefighter SCBA normally put emphasis on flame and heat resistance which is more important that even the overall cost. The light weight materials used to manufacture these devices are normally exotic making the final cost very expensive. Personal Alert Safety System (PASS) or Automatic Distress Signal Unit (ADSU) is never missing components of the modern equipment. These are designed to switch on automatic after sensing no movement after 15 to 30 seconds. When activated, they release distinctive alarm signal that helps to locate the user. They can also be activated manually.
The success on the use and overall rescue mission depends on how well the user is familiar with this important device. In fact, continuous drill is always recommended as the device can make a difference between life and death. For a successful drill, the near fatalities and other past failures that involved the equipment use forms the starting point during training.
The drill must be comprehensive covering areas such as SCBA check examining the operational readiness of a particular equipment, the consumption drill which determines for how long a particular bottle will last the user the last breath-drill concerning confidence in a panic mode among others.
For firefighters and other users in different industries including mining, you life depends on firefighter SCBA and the skills you have in using this extremely important device. This means that no training level is ever enough, and getting continuous drill is simply a requirement if you have intention of rescuing people trapped in hostile environment. Care must also be taken to ensure that latest and most up-to-date equipment are secured from trusted and approved suppliers.
The basic components of a firefighter SCBA include a high pressure tank of breathing air, the insulated connecting pipes and a pressure regulator. The modern ones are more efficient with many additional features the most common being a face mask and lighter tank. The general design must allow for shoulder-carrying of victims with no hindrance. It must also allow for uninterrupted air flow no matter the environmental conditions.
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 situation is not quite different in the United States of America and Canada where these devices must meet National Fire Protection Association guidelines, NFPA Standard 1981. When fully compliant with firefighting requirements, it earns 1981 NFPA compliant label. In addition to this, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have their own certification program designed for use in biological, chemical, radiological and nuclear environment.
The firefighter SCBA normally put emphasis on flame and heat resistance which is more important that even the overall cost. The light weight materials used to manufacture these devices are normally exotic making the final cost very expensive. Personal Alert Safety System (PASS) or Automatic Distress Signal Unit (ADSU) is never missing components of the modern equipment. These are designed to switch on automatic after sensing no movement after 15 to 30 seconds. When activated, they release distinctive alarm signal that helps to locate the user. They can also be activated manually.
The success on the use and overall rescue mission depends on how well the user is familiar with this important device. In fact, continuous drill is always recommended as the device can make a difference between life and death. For a successful drill, the near fatalities and other past failures that involved the equipment use forms the starting point during training.
The drill must be comprehensive covering areas such as SCBA check examining the operational readiness of a particular equipment, the consumption drill which determines for how long a particular bottle will last the user the last breath-drill concerning confidence in a panic mode among others.
For firefighters and other users in different industries including mining, you life depends on firefighter SCBA and the skills you have in using this extremely important device. This means that no training level is ever enough, and getting continuous drill is simply a requirement if you have intention of rescuing people trapped in hostile environment. Care must also be taken to ensure that latest and most up-to-date equipment are secured from trusted and approved suppliers.
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