Maintenance Procedures For Breathing Apparatus

Maintenance Procedures For Breathing Apparatus

There are probably as many different programs for maintaining self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) as there are fire departments. They range from the ideal to the feasible. Much depends on the size of the department and its resources.

The most advanced fire departments have fully equipped maintenance facilities with trained personnel and precise schedules for the care of breathing apparatus. At the other end of the spectrum are departments and companies which require the users to maintain their own equipment on a day-to-day basis with trained personnel on call.

Regardless of who does the maintenance work, regular inspection maintenance is vital. Faulty SCBA can be fatal. In truth, a fire fighter who wears apparatus that is poorly maintained or not operating properly may be in more danger than if he is not wearing SCBA at all. He may think he is protected when, in reality, he is not.

Follow inspection instructions

Regular inspection of the apparatus is an integral part of the maintenance program for SCBA. Unlike much of the equipment used by a fire fighter, a visual inspection is not sufficient. Various physical procedures must be followed.

Every manufacturer includes detailed directions for the inspection, use and maintenance of specific models. Those directions, of course, are the ones to follow.

Because so many things are common to all SCBAs, general descriptions of inspection and maintenance procedures are applicable to most. It is to those that this article is addressed.

Some parts of the SCBA need to be examined after every use, some at least weekly, and others every month.

Air cylinders are relatively troublefree and although it is suggested that they be checked daily, weekly inspection is mandatory. It is important to see that the cylinder is fully charged. If it isn’t, it should be exchanged for a fully charged cylinder.

Check facepiece

The facepieces should be carefully examined to be certain that the rubber parts are not worn or damaged. The breathing hose should be stretched to be sure there is no cracking. The facepiece lens should be examined for any cracks, breaks or other damage that might cause distortion of vision or leaks from the outside atmosphere.

After each use, the facepiece and breathing hose should be thoroughly washed in a cleaning and sanitizing solution. A soft brush or sponge can be used for this purpose.

Following this, they are rinsed in plain water of not more than 120°F. And that includes both the inside and outside of the breathing tube. Do not try to force-dry the pieces by placing them near a radiator or in direct sunlight. That can cause the rubber to deteriorate. Let them air-dry or use compressed air. Alcohol should not be used as a germicide because it might contribute to the deterioration of the rubber.

Beyond this visual and physical check, and regular cleaning, the SCBA should be further tested, at least once a month, either on the bench or by actual donning of the apparatus. We want to emphasize again that equipment varies by model and manufacturer, so that it is imperative to follow the appropriate instruction for inspection and maintenance.

Repair of apparatus

Untrained personnel should not repair breathing apparatus beyond the manufacturer’s recommendations. Other repairs or parts replacement must be done only by qualified persons, using parts designed for that particular breathing apparatus. Demand and pressure-demand regulators or warning systems should be returned to the manufacturer or to a trained technician for adjustment or repair. No one should attempt to interchange devices of different manufacturers.

Users with adequate training can, however, conduct routine inspection and simple maintenance. Here are procedures that users can follow:

Check the regulator cover to be sure that it is tight. If it is loose or lifted or if the cover screws are bent or missing, it should be removed from service for repair.

In inspecting the diaphragm for proper operating condition, no leakage or air flow should be present. If any is noted, make certain that all valves are fully closed and then retest it again.

Testing for mask fit

The facepiece should be put on to determine if it fits properly around the entire facial contour. Slight inhalation by the user while the low pressure hose to the masks is closed off should produce a negative pressure that causes the facepiece to be pulled into the face. An odorant ampule can be used to check leakage and fit. Respirators should never be worn without having a good, tight face seal. Various factors can interfere with a good face seal. These include temple pieces on glasses, beards and even sideburns. So try on the facepiece carefully to make sure there is no interference.

The main valve and the bypass valve can be tested by putting on the device and operating them normally. If there is a venting of the safety valves or a continuing flow of air through the regulator when the user is not inhaling, the regulator needs to be repaired. The user also should be alert to any unusual sounds, such as whistling, chattering, clicking or rattling. If these occur, the regulator should be further checked.

The warning systems should be checked monthly to see that they are operating properly. Since these differ by model and manufacturer, the directions should be followed as supplied by the manufacturer. Malfunctions need to be corrected by authorized personnel.

The harness is sometimes taken for granted. It should be kept clean to avoid deterioration and reduction of its service life. Using a mild soap or detergent, surface dirt can be wiped off with a sponge. For deeper dirt, the harness should be washed with a lathered sponge, then wiped dry with a clean cloth. Let the harness air dry. Do not place it near steam pipes or other sources of excessive heat.

Proper care is mandatory

Self-containing breathing apparatus are among the most complex devices that the fire fighter has to deal with on a regular basis. The manufacturers have built and assembled them to rigid standards. Care of these units is mandatory. They cannot simply be set aside after every use nor can their maintenance be haphazard.

To assure regular inspection and maintenance, a sound record system is a necessity. This means recording the acquisition of every new unit, all initial inspections and dates, and all subsequent inspections and maintenance work. A service record is required for each unit.

The growing number of situations in which fire fighters encounter contaminated and toxic atmospheres makes it imperative to give SCBA inspection and maintenance the highest priority. As veteran fire fighters know full well, a fully operative self-contained breathing apparatus can mean the difference between life and death.

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