Self Contained

Breathing Apparatus
• Introduction
• Definition of terms
• Parts & Specifications
• Visual Inspection
• BA Donning Procedure
 INTRODUCTION
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
is a common piece of respiratory protective
equipment used by fire fighters and rescuers.
 WHEN SHOULD I USE SCBA?
An SCBA is the choice when dealing with any oxygen
deficient atmosphere that is IDLH (Immediately Dangerous
to Life or Health), or any environment that is unknown or has
unknown levels of contaminants. This is possible because the
wearer carries their own supply of breathable air.

Four Common Respiratory Hazards

– Elevated temperatures
– Oxygen deficiency
– Toxic atmosphere (with and without fire)
– Smoke
 Elevated Temperatures
• Exposure to heated air can damage respiratory
tract
• Excessive heat taken quickly into lungs can cause
serious decrease in blood pressure, failure of
circulatory system
• Inhaling heated gases can cause pulmonary
edema, which can cause death from asphyxiation
• Tissue damage from inhaling hot air is not
immediately reversible; prompt medical
treatment needed
 Oxygen Deficiency

Generally this means less than 19.5% oxygen. OSHA exceptions

to this are based on altitude and concentration. The condition
could exist for several reasons:

• Combustion from fire, cutting torches, and welding arc;

• Inert gases like nitrogen displacing the oxygen;
• Rotting organic matter consumes oxygen; and
• Rusting of metals consumes oxygen.

Another area of potential hazard would be a room protected by

a total-flooding carbon dioxide extinguishing system after
discharge.
Toxic Atmospheres Associated With Fire
• Inhaled toxic gases may have several
harmful effects on human body
• Some gases cause impaired lung function
• Other gases pass into bloodstream and
impair oxygen-carrying capacity of red
blood cells
Toxic Atmospheres Associated With Fire

• Type, amount of toxic gases released at fire

vary according to
– Nature of combustible
– Rate of heating
– Temperature of evolved gases
– Oxygen concentration
• Carbon monoxide
Toxic Atmospheres Not Associated With Fire

• Many industrial processes use extremely

dangerous chemicals
• Because presence is likely, require use of
SCBA
• Hazardous materials
• Common calls may also require SCBA
• When in doubt, wear SCBA
 Smoke

• Consists of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide,

carbon monoxide, carbon particles, other
products
• Particles enable condensation of gaseous
products of combustion
• Some particles in smoke irritating; others
lethal
 S.C.B.A. can’t protect you from:
• Gases absorbed through skin
• Intense heat
• Empty air supply
• Radiation
 Types of Use of SCBA
1. Fire Fighting
The design emphasis is on heat and flame
resistance above cost.

o tend to be expensive because of the exotic

materials used to provide the flame resistance and
to a lesser extent, to reduce the weight penalty on
the fire fighter
2. Industrial Use
o mining
o petrochemical
o chemical
o and nuclear industries

Industrial users will often be supplied with air via

an air line, and only carry compressed air for escape or
decontamination purposes.
 Types of SCBA Cylinder
• Carbon Composite Cylinder
- are the lightest in weight and are therefore
preferred by fire departments, but they also have
the shortest lifespan and must be taken out of
service after 15 years. It must be hydrostatically
tested every 3 years.

• Steel or Metal Cylinder

It must be hydrostatically tested every 5 years.
 DEFINITION of TERMS
Closed-Circuit SCBA
A recirculation-type SCBA in which the
exhaled gas is rebreathed by the wearer after
the carbon dioxide has been removed from
the exhalation gas and the oxygen content
within the system has been restored from
sources such as compressed breathing air,
chemical oxygen, liquid oxygen, or
compressed gaseous oxygen
Open-Circuit SCBA
An SCBA in which exhalation is vented to the
atmosphere and not rebreathed.

• Open-circuit industrial breathing sets are filled with filtered,

compressed air, rather than pure oxygen.
• Typical open-circuit systems have two regulators;

1. a first stage to reduce the pressure of air to allow it to

be carried to the mask,
2. and a second stage regulator to reduce it even further to
a level just above standard atmospheric pressure.
Facepiece
The component of an SCBA that covers
the wearer’s nose, mouth, and eyes.
Heads-Up Display (HUD)
Visual display of information and system
condition status visible to the wearer.
PARTS and SPECIFICATIONS
 PARTS and SPECIFICATIONS
HP/MP Reducer Valve
High pressure air supplied from the cylinder is
reduced to a breathable pressure via a pressure
reducer.

Main Cylinder Valve

Supply valve for the compressed air, to be either
fully on or fully off. Check this valve while working at
times as it could be turned off slowly when
maneuvering in tight areas where the valve suffer
from knocks.

Face Mask
Facemask is fitted with inner mask to reduce
possibility of fogging. Wearer is to don facemask in
Lung Demand Valve
To be fitted to the facemask to supply safe and
breathable air to the wearer. Comes with a bypass
button for use when more air is needed. Ensure lung
demand valve is fitted properly into the slot on the
facemask.

Working Pressure Gauge and Warning Whistle

The pressure gauge shows the amount of
compressed air left in the Air Cylinder whereas the
warning whistle is used as an indication to the
wearer when Air Cylinder pressure drops below 55
bar into the red zone where contents of Cylinder is
only limited to 10 minutes of usage.
Type : Open Circuit Set
Cylinder Content : 6 litres
Pressure : 200 bars
Full Duration : 30 mins
Working Duration : 20 mins (Operational Zone
– above 55bar)
Safety Margin : 10 mins (Red zone – 55bar and
below)
Weight : kg
Whistle Setting : 55 bar
 Visual Inspection
• Face Mask
Rubber deterioration, cracks, tears, holes, tackiness.
• Head Harness
Missing straps, loss of elasticity, buckles deformed.
• Lens
Cracks, loss of tightness to face piece.
• Hoses
Cuts, cracks, abrasions, wrinkles, loose or
inoperative connections.
SCBA Operating Procedure
 Additional Notes
Limitations of SCBA Equipment
• Limited visibility
• Decreased ability to communicate
• Increased weight
• Decreased mobility
Limitations of SCBA Air Supply
• Physical conditions of user
• Degree of physical exertion
• Emotional stability of user
• Condition of apparatus
• Cylinder pressure before use
• Training/experience of user
DURATION TIME
The air consumption of any self- contained
breathing apparatus varies depending on the
nature of the work, the user’s physical
condition, and experience of using a breathing
apparatus.

Approximate air consumption table

 An internationally accepted method of calculating the
theoretical duration of an apparatus is to assume an
average consumption of 40 L/minutes.

Example
A 6 liter cylinder charged to 200 bar contains
approximately 200 x 6 = 1200 liters of free air at
atmospheric pressure. With an air consumption of 40
L/minutes the duration would be 30 minutes.

Note! The warning period is also included in the above

calculation. The warning period is approximately 6-10
minutes.
Thank
You!!!