RESPIRATORY PROTECTION PROGRAM & SELF CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS (SCBA)

S.O.G. No.: 01-025

Revision: Dec. 2006

Effective Date: Dec. 2006

1. PURPOSE

1.1 In the interest of member’s health and safety, this document is established for the proper and safe procedures to prevent excessive exposure to dusts, fumes, mists, gases, smokes, sprays, and vapors by the use of respiratory protection.

2. REFERENCES

1. 2.1  Current edition of the National Fire Protection Association’s 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program.
2. 2.2  Current edition of the National Fire Protection Association’s 1981, Standard on Open Circuit Positive Pressure Breathing Apparatus.
3. 2.3  Current edition of the National Fire Protection Association’s 1404, Standard on Fire Department Self Contained Breathing Apparatus Program.

2.5 MSHA/NIOSH 49 CFR Part 178.

3. OSHA REQUIREMENTS

3.1 The department shall provide members with a respiratory protection program in accordance with OSHA 1910.134 and the wearing of self contained breathing apparatus in accordance with OSHA 1910.156.

4. REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

4.1 NIOSH/MSHA and/or ANSI Z.88.2-1969 approved self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

5. PROCEDURE

• 5.1 All department members who encounter unknown varieties and quantities of toxic materials and combustion by-products in fire fighting and hazardous material response will utilize SCBA.

• 5.1.1 The SCBA will not be removed until the following conditions no longer exist or until the member is in a safe atmosphere:
  • 5.1.1.1 Hazardous atmospheres
  • 5.1.1.2 Atmospheres suspected of being hazardous Atmospheres that may rapidly become hazardous
  • 5.1.1.3 All members working below ground level or inside any confined space.

• 5.2 All members will wear SCBA until it can be safely established by monitoring or testing that the atmosphere is not oxygen deficient or contaminated.
• 5.3  The selection of respiratory protection for department members will be made in accordance with current OSHA standards, NIOSH recommendations, and NFPA standards.
  1. 5.3.1  The department will provide at no cost to the member the appropriate type of SCBA.
  2. 5.3.2  Members will use either of the two design variations which consist of supplied air and self-contained breathing apparatus.
• 5.4  Since members who will use any type of respirator may be exposed to some physiological stress, medical screening is required.
  • 5.4.1 Members will not be assigned to any job function requiring the use of a respirator until they are physically able to perform the work and use of the equipment.
• 5.5 Members who have facial hair, such as a mustache, sideburns, or a beard that passes between the skin and the sealing surface of the respirator face piece will not be permitted to wear an SCBA.
  • 5.5.1 Other items such as eyeglasses and protective hoods will not be allowed to extend between the sealing surface of the face piece and the face.
• 5.6 Members will be properly fitted with respiratory protection. The District will purchase appropriate equipment and train instructors to perform annual fit testing.
  • 5.6.1 All members will undergo a fit test to ensure an adequate face to mask seal.
    • 5.6.1.1 Only trained and qualified technicians or instructors will perform the fit tests.
  • 5.6.2  Members whose facial features are altered by substantial increases or decreases in body weight will require testing in addition to the annual test.
  • 5.6.3  Records for member’s fit test approval will be maintained.
• 5.7  Responsibility for cleaning and disinfecting will be assigned to the member who wears the respirator and has been properly trained.
  1. 5.7.1  Members will be required to clean and disinfect their respirators when used routinely. When respirators are used occasionally, periodic cleaning and disinfecting will be appropriate.
  2. 5.7.2  Where respirators are worn by more than one user, the respirator will be cleaned and disinfected after each use.
• 5.8  Members will clean and disinfect all respirators according to the specific procedures of the manufacture’s recommendations.
• 5.9  Members will store all respirators in a convenient, clean, and sanitary location.
  • 5.9.1 Members will pack or store respirators so that the face piece and exhalation valves will rest in a normal position.
• 5.10  Members will inspect all respiratory protective equipment, not less than every two weeks, after each use, and during cleaning. (See appendix A, SCBA Checklist) 5.10.1 Members will inspect SCBA at least bi-weekly.
• 5.11  Members will notify their superior officer of any needed repairs or the replacement of defective parts. 5.11.1 Repairs or part replacement will be done only by qualified personnel.
• 5.12  The following records will be maintained in reference to this respiratory protection program:
  • 5.12.1 All work or repair orders
  • 5.12.2 Compressed air quality analysis
  • 5.12.3 Individual training records
  • 5.12.4 Maintenance records
  • 5.12.5 Quantitative fit test
  • 5.12.6 Inventory records

• 5.13  The department will, prior to actual use, provide training in the operation, care and maintenance of the specific type of breathing apparatus to all members.
  • 5.13.1  All members will receive formalized training annually to ensure competent and efficient use of the equipment provided.
  • 5.13.2  A competent person who is qualified will conduct training for members.
  • 5.13.3  Training records will be maintained for each member.
• 5.14  The department will be responsible for full implementation of the respiratory protection program.
  • 5.14.1  The superior officer will responsible for ensuring this policy is maintained.
  • 5.14.2  Failure to comply with any part of this guideline will result in progressive disciplinary action.
• 5.15  Additional requirements for corrective lenses and/or contact lenses are: 5.15.1 Corrective lenses that have temple or straps should not be used when a full face piece is worn. Frames that can be used with face pieces should be use.
• 5.16  All compressed breathing cylinders will be marked and meet U.S. Department of Transportation requirements for interstate shipment as required by MSHA/NIOSH 49 CFR Part 178.
• 5.17 All breathing air will meet or exceed the requirements of Grade D breathing air as specified in the Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet G-7.1 – 1966.
• 5.18  SCBAs will be placed at stations, work areas and on vehicles for emergency use so they are accessible at all times.
• 5.19  Members who are designated as fire fighting or rescue personnel will don SCBA while responding to the emergency or immediately upon arrival on the scene.
  • 5.19.1  Fire fighting personnel will wear the SCBA according to the manufacturer’s requirements and the requirements per this guideline. Any district firefighter donning an SCBA is required to wear a hood.
  • 5.19.2  Fire fighting personnel wearing SCBA will operate in teams of two or more.
    • 5.19.2.1 Communication will be maintained between each team through visual, audible, physical, safety rope, electronic or any other means to stay in contact.
    • 5.19.2.2Team members will stay close to one another to provide emergency assistance if needed.
    • 5.19.2.3Team members will enter and leave together.
  • 5.19.3 During an SCBA operation, at least one person for every person entering a structure will be assigned to remain outside the area where SCBA is in use. This group (RIT) will be responsible for:
    • 5.19.3.1 Maintaining a constant knowledge of the number and identity of personnel using SCBA.
    • 5.19.3.2 Their location and function.
    • 5.19.3.3Time of entry of the SCBA team (s).
• 5.20 Sufficient reserve air supply will be supplied by use of spare tanks or by an on scene refill capabilities or a combination of both.
  • 5.20.1  A service area to change out air tanks will be provided by support personnel.
  • 5.20.2  Spare tanks will be brought to the designated change out area.
  • 5.20.3  The mobile air refilling unit will be set up in a designated location away from the hazardous area.