320-03 Atmospheric Monitoring

Half-mask cartridge respirators with Organic Vapor filters are used for post-fire activities when no other gases are considered dangerous. It's useful after the main fire suppression effort is complete, but before the area is fully safe.

Half-mask cartridge respirators are not designed to filter all hazardous chemicals, so they are strictly prohibited in the Hot Zone. The Hot Zone represents the most hazardous area of a fire scene.

When a full-face mask with SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) is needed in the Hot Zone, it's crucial for activities involving direct contact with the fire, rescue missions, and post-fire safety tasks where the air is still hazardous.

Firefighters must remove their respiratory protection only if the Incident Commander or Incident Safety Officer assesses the scene to be safe. This decision is made after evaluating the atmosphere and potential risks to the firefighters.

Ventilation and atmospheric monitoring remain vital during post-fire cleanup operations (overhaul). The presence of hazardous gasses and the potential for structural collapse make these precautions crucial.

Each Engine, Aerial, and Rescue vehicle is required to carry a PAC 5500 single gas CO monitor attached to the exterior of the Patient Assessment Bag.

Engine, Aerial, Battalion Chief, and Special Operations vehicles require a Drager X-am 2500 4-Gas monitor capable of detecting oxygen deficiency/enrichment, flammable gas, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen sulfide.

EMS Captain vehicles require a Drager X-am 5000 5-Gas monitor able to monitor oxygen deficiency/enrichment, flammable gas, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, and organic vapor.

The Incident Commander or Company Officer (if Incident Command is not established) must ensure atmospheric monitoring occurs when indicated.

Operators of atmospheric monitors should be proficient in using the monitor and understanding the hazards they detect.

Personnel performing atmospheric monitoring should wear full protective gear, including proper respiratory protection like a positive pressure SCBA.

If a monitor alarm activates, the Incident Commander should be notified, a primary search for victims should be conducted with full protective gear, control zones should be established, and personnel without protective gear should evacuate the area.

Atmospheric monitoring is conducted when indicated to assess the presence of hazardous gases and ensure the safety of personnel.

A type of atmospheric monitoring where the monitor continuously checks the air without any additional actions. It's like having a silent guardian watching over the atmosphere.

Monitoring where a firefighter actively uses a device to check the air for specific hazards, like searching for hazardous gases during a propane leak.

The Drager X-am monitors have a warning system with two alarm modes: A1 and A2. A1 triggers a beeping alert but can be acknowledged.

The Drager X-am monitors have a two-stage warning system. The second alarm is more serious and won't stop until the gas levels return to normal.

Gas monitors need sufficient oxygen (above 10%) to function correctly. Oxygen below this level can be dangerous.

Low oxygen levels can be very dangerous, as it's essential for breathing and life. Oxygen levels below 10% are not safe.

Higher than normal oxygen concentrations can increase the risk of fires and explosions.

Flammable gases create an explosion hazard. Finding a Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) alarm means quickly identifying the source.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that's deadly, even in small amounts.

Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless gas with the rotten egg smell. It's a deadly hazard, even in low doses.

The Drager X-am 2500 4-Gas monitor is used for incidents involving activated alarms like carbon monoxide, smoke, or gas leaks. It also monitors for hydrogen sulfide (H2S).

Operations in underground areas or where decomposition is likely, like sewer systems, require monitoring for Hydrogen Sulfide.

The Drager X-am 5000 5-Gas monitor is used for fire incidents, providing readings for hydrogen cyanide (HCN), organic vapors (OV), and other gases.

Modern fires often release hazardous toxins, including Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN), Organic Vapors (OV), and Carbon Monoxide (CO).

Hydrogen cyanide is a colorless gas with a bitter, almond-like odor. It can be deadly, even in low doses.

A device used by EMS Captains to detect various hazardous gases, including oxygen deficiency, flammable gases, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, and organic vapors.

Low oxygen levels pose a serious threat to firefighters. The Drager X-am 5000 can detect oxygen deficiency and enrichment, ensuring a safe breathing environment.

Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is a colorless gas with a faint, bitter almond-like odor and is highly toxic. The 5-Gas monitor can detect HCN, crucial for fire incidents.

Organic vapors (OV) are released during fires and can be harmful. The Drager X-am 5000 can detect OV, providing an important safety measure for firefighters.

The Drager X-am 2500 4-Gas monitor is specifically designed to detect oxygen levels, flammable gases, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen sulfide. It's crucial for incidents involving gas leaks, smoke, or alarms.

Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless gas, often smelling like rotten eggs. It's highly toxic and can be found in underground areas, sewer systems, or areas with decomposition.

This monitor is used by EMS Captains to detect oxygen levels, flammable gases, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, and organic vapors. This combination helps assess a wide range of hazards at fire incidents.

Hydrogen cyanide is a colorless gas with a faint, bitter almond-like odor. It is highly toxic and released during fires. This monitor helps firefighters avoid it by detecting its presence.

Organic vapors are released during fires and can be harmful. The Drager X-am 5000 detects these vapors to keep firefighters safer by identifying potentially dangerous conditions.

The Incident Commander is responsible for ensuring atmospheric monitoring is conducted when needed. If the Incident Command is not established, the Company Officer takes on this responsibility.

Atmospheric monitoring involves using a device to detect potentially hazardous gases in the air at an incident scene. It helps ensure the safety of personnel by identifying dangerous atmospheres.

Atmospheric monitoring is typically conducted using a gas monitor that can detect various gases, including oxygen deficiency, flammable gases, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen cyanide, and organic vapors.

Whenever a gas monitor alarm triggers during atmospheric monitoring operations, there's a serious safety concern. The Incident Commander needs to be notified, the area should be evacuated, and a primary search for victims should be conducted if necessary.

Different types of gas monitors are used depending on the situation. For example, the Drager X-am 2500 4-Gas monitor is used for incidents involving smoke, alarms, carbon monoxide, or gas leaks, while the Drager X-am 5000 5-Gas monitor is used for fire incidents and provides readings for hydrogen cyanide (HCN), organic vapors (OV), and other gases.

When a monitor alarm activates, the Incident Commander must be informed, and a primary search for victims should be conducted with full protective gear. Control zones are established, and all personnel without protective gear must evacuate the area immediately.

The Incident Commander, or the Company Officer if Incident Command is not established, is responsible for ensuring atmospheric monitoring is performed when needed.

They are devices used to detect a variety of hazardous gases in the air, providing vital safety information. This includes oxygen levels, flammable gases, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen cyanide, and organic vapors, all potentially dangerous in fire situations.

It is done by actively using a device to check the air for specific hazards, such as searching for hazardous gases during a propane leak.

A single-gas monitor that detects carbon monoxide (CO) and provides alerts to crews on emergency medical calls.

These monitors are used for monitoring specific gases, often in situations like structural fires, training burns, and residential or commercial detector alarms.

A dedicated safety measure for emergency personnel, it's designed to continuously monitor for carbon monoxide (CO) in the atmosphere.

The PAC 5500 CO monitor automatically resets to zero PPM after the CO levels return to normal.

When investigating residential or commercial alarms, active atmospheric monitoring is used to detect any hazards before, during, and after removing the source. This includes checking the atmosphere before and after ventilating the area.

The Drager X-am monitor's A1 alarm mode provides a warning sound that can be acknowledged. It indicates a dangerous environment, and the operator should take appropriate actions.

The Drager X-am monitor's A2 alarm mode provides a continuous warning sound that cannot be silenced until the gas levels return to safe values. It indicates a more serious hazard and requires immediate action.

Oxygen levels below 10% are unsafe and can prevent the Drager X-am monitors from operating correctly. Oxygen enrichment can increase the risk of fire and explosions.

Flammable gases pose a significant explosion hazard. If a Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) alarm is activated, the Incident Commander must identify the source.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be lethal in small quantities. It is essential to monitor CO levels because it can quickly cause death.

Normal atmospheric conditions are: 20.9% Oxygen, 0% LEL, 0 ppm Carbon Monoxide, 0 ppm Hydrogen Sulfide.

The Drager X-am 2500 4-Gas monitor can uniquely detect hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a colorless gas with a rotten egg smell. This makes it crucial in situations where H2S might be present, such as underground areas or sewer systems.

The Drager X-am 5000 5-Gas monitor detects organic vapors, which are released during fires and can be harmful.

The Drager X-am 5000 5-Gas monitor detects organic vapors (OV), which are harmful substances released during fires.

EO (Ethylene Oxide) is displayed on the screen of the Drager X-am 5000 5-Gas monitor as an indicator for the presence of Organic Vapors.

The Drager X-am 5000 5-Gas monitor is used by EMS Captains to detect oxygen levels, flammable gases, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, and organic vapors. It's critical for assessing a wide range of fire incident hazards.

The Drager X-am 5000 5-Gas monitor detects organic vapors, which are dangerous substances released during fires. The monitor's EO (Ethylene Oxide) display alerts firefighters to the presence of these vapors.

Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is a colorless gas with a bitter, almond-like odor that can be deadly, even in small amounts. It is a common product of combustion and can be released during fires.

Organic vapors (OV) are released during fires and can be harmful to human health. They can be irritants, carcinogens, or even deadly.

The Drager X-am 5000 5-Gas monitor displays "EO" (Ethylene Oxide) on its screen to indicate the presence of Organic Vapors.

The Drager X-am 5000 5-Gas monitor is essential for fire incidents as it detects the presence of dangerous gases like Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN) and Organic Vapors (OV), crucial for ensuring firefighter safety.

The Incident Safety Officer ensures safe atmospheric conditions before removing SCBA during overhaul. Continuous monitoring is conducted while operations proceed.

All personnel operating in areas where the Organic Vapor alarm activates must assess the risks and benefits before proceeding. They must ensure the potential benefit outweighs the exposure to Organic Vapors.

The Incident Safety Officer must ensure that all personnel operating in hazardous areas utilize respiratory protection according to established procedures and protocols.

A risk assessment should be conducted to determine the need for SCBA before removing it during overhaul.

Atmospheric monitoring should be continuous while operations are proceeding, ensuring safe air quality for all personnel.