December 1, 2010

Luxfers position on direct selling of SCBA cylinders in North America

Luxfer regularly receives inquires from the firefighting and first responder end-user community concerning the
availability to purchase cylinders direct from Luxfer for use in self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and life
support equipment. For many years Luxfer has supported an internal sales policy structured such that Luxfer life support
cylinders shall only be sold to and through original equipment manufacturers (OEM) of SCBA and related life support
equipment.

The basis for this decision and approach is founded in our concern for keeping users of our products and related
equipment safe and in full compliance with governing standards and regulations.

Regulatory compliance
Extensive research and product development work is put forward by all SCBA OEMs to ensure their products are safe,
effective, robustly designed to meet the demands of its users, and meet or exceed all the requirements specified by
applicable design and performance standards. In North America these standards are dictated by the National Institute of
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). It is within Title 42 of
the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), part 84 [Approval of respiratory protection devices], that specifics related to
equipment construction, performance and performance testing requirements, quality control and plans, and required
components are detailed. Identified as respirable breathing gas container[s] within the standard, cylinders are included
in the list of required components for SCBA and as such all applicable cylinder designs must undergo the required test
with the complete assembly in order to be considered compliant under the approval.

Moreover, NIOSH approval is a prerequisite for all SCBA to be certified as compliant with NFPA 1981 [Standard on
Open-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for Emergency Services].

These regulatory controls and requirements are in place to ensure manufacturers have overall control and through life
responsibility for the integrity and safety of the approved SCBA. While all Luxfer cylinders are compliant to applicable
standards and regulations specific to cylinders (e.g., DOT and TC), these approvals are distinctly separate from those
described above.

Cylinders sold in North America outside of OEM sales channels by third parties and/or cylinder
manufacturers for use with NIOSH / NFPA certified SCBA are not in compliance with governing standards
and requirements and should not be put into active service.

For more information or questions please contact Luxfer Gas Cylinders.

CONTACT:
Orion Goe, Product Marketing Manager
951.341.2348 (direct tel)
orion.goe@luxfer.net

LUXFER GAS CYLINDERS 3016 Kansas Avenue Riverside, California 92507 USA (951) 684-5110 (951) 781-6598 fax
www.luxfercylinders.com