Las Vegas Fire & Rescue Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus PDF

405.05 Self Contained Breathing Apparatus Page 1 of 8 Standard Operating Procedure for SelfContained Breathing Apparatus No: Reviewed date: Effective date: Supersedes: I. II. FR405.05 7/31/19 4/2/2018 6/10/13 Type: Safety Procedures– 400 series Las Vegas Fire & Rescue Department: Signature: 7/31/202...

405.05 Self Contained Breathing Apparatus Page 1 of 8 Standard Operating Procedure for SelfContained Breathing Apparatus No: Reviewed date: Effective date: Supersedes: I. II. FR405.05 7/31/19 4/2/2018 6/10/13 Type: Safety Procedures– 400 series Las Vegas Fire & Rescue Department: Signature: 7/31/2024 Expires: INTRODUCTION A. Purpose: To provide instruction for all department personnel when operating in environments that require the use of a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). B. Background: Scott NXG7 SCBA units are provided on all Las Vegas Fire & Rescue emergency response units. C. Scope: These instructions shall be used during all emergency incidents, training, or any other situation requiring personnel to operate in a contaminated, oxygen deficient or hazardous breathing environment. D. Author: The Deputy Chief over Operations, or designee, shall be responsible for the content, revision, and review of this instruction. RESPONSIBILITY A. INCIDENT COMMANDER 1. The incident commander shall establish appropriate hazard zones to determine use of the SCBA. B. COMPANY OFFICERS 1. It is the responsibility of company officers to ensure personnel under their supervision are trained in the use and maintenance of their assigned SCBA. 2. C. The company officer shall be responsible to ensure that company members under their direction wear an SCBA in situations where the atmosphere is, or may become, contaminated. SUPPRESSION PERSONNEL 1. It is the responsibility of each member assigned an SCBA to be familiar with the proper use and maintenance of the SCBA and to ensure its readiness for use. Each member shall maintain proficiency in its use. 405.05 Self Contained Breathing Apparatus 2. All department personnel shall wear an SCBA in all situations where the atmosphere is, or may become, contaminated. 3. Upon reporting for duty, all suppression personnel shall perform the daily checkout of their assigned SCBA. a) 4. III. IV. Page 2 of 8 A brief inspection, to include checking bottle level and overall function of SCBA, should also be done before entering a hazardous environment. After each use, department personnel shall clean and maintain their assigned SCBA to ensure it is ready for its next use. POLICY A. All department personnel shall wear an SCBA when working in or around smoke or in the presence of any potential inhalation hazard. Some examples of these situations include, but are not limited to: structure fires; vehicle fires; dumpster / trash fires; brush / grass fires; gas leaks; hazardous materials situations; and oxygen deficient areas. B. All department personnel shall wear an SCBA while performing overhaul of a fire, or while present in an area where overhaul is occurring. C. All department personnel shall wear an SCBA in any unknown atmospheres or situations where it is likely the atmosphere may become contaminated or hazardous. D. All personnel operating at a confined space, trench rescue, or building collapse incident shall wear an SCBA in accordance with SOPs 210.10, 210.15, and 210.20. E. All department personnel shall bring their assigned facemask to their scheduled annual physical appointment for FIT testing. F. After appointment contact SCBA technician for an annual inspected breathing valve exchange. G. Refer to CLV Safety Policy/Procedure “Respiratory Protection Program” for related items not addressed in this SOP. PROCEDURE A. All personnel using an SCBA shall perform a daily checkout of their assigned equipment at every shift change. If problems are found that cannot be resolved by the user, contact the SCBA technician and tag the SCBA out of service. 405.05 Self Contained Breathing Apparatus B. Page 3 of 8 The daily check out shall include: 1. 2. CYLINDER: a) Check cylinder hydrostat test date. Cylinders must pass hydrostatic testing every five years. b) Check cylinder pressure. Replace if below 4000 psi. c) Inspect cylinder for signs of physical damage including deep gouges, dents, broken gauge, etc. d) Ensure cylinder is secured into the pressure reducer properly by pulling up on the neck of the bottle and verifying the orange lines on the pull rings are not showing. CYLINDER FILLING: a) NFPA recommends referencing the bottle manufacturer’s (Luxfer) suggested fill rate. (1) b) 3. 4. Per the manufacturer, the recommended fill rate is 435 psi/minute. For purposes of ease in monitoring the fill rate, cylinders shall not be filled at a rate exceeding 500 psi/minute. HANDS-ON / VISUAL INSPECTION: a) Perform a visual inspection of all plastic, rubber, cloth, and metal parts for damage including fraying, discoloration due to heat exposure, etc. b) Check the back frame, harness straps, hoses, and wires. c) Remove Emergency Breathing Support System (EBSS /buddy breather) hose from pouch and inspect for damage. d) Ensure unit identifiers are mounted, readable, and not damaged. e) Connect personal mask and regulator. Make sure both the air and electronic connections are made. Check the condition of the gasket on the mask-mounted regulator. f) Attach voice amplifier to mask. BATTERY TEST: a) Press yellow button once. 405.05 Self Contained Breathing Apparatus 5. 6. Page 4 of 8 b) Green lights on the chest console and on the back of the pack indicate good batteries. c) Red lights on the chest console and on the back of the pack indicate batteries that need to be replaced. MANUAL PASS ALARM ACTIVATION: a) Press red button once. b) PASS alarm should be in full alert. c) Press the yellow button twice to silence the PASS alarm. OPERATIONAL TEST a) Press air saver switch on regulator. b) Turn the cylinder valve all the way on (approx 2.5 turns). c) PASS device and Vibralert should activate. d) Verify chest gauge, HUD, and bottle gauge readings are all within 10% of each other. e) Place mask on face and inhale sharply to start the flow of air. Take several normal breaths. f) Move mask slightly away from face to verify positive pressure-free flow of air. g) Turn on voice amplifier and make sure it is working correctly. h) Press air saver switch and remove mask from face. i) Turn the cylinder valve all the way off. Make sure push and turn ratchet feature is working. j) Slowly open purge valve. k) Watch chest console and Heads Up Display (HUD) lights change as air is bled out. Vibralert should briefly activate when gauge reads ¼. l) Close purge valve once low air red light stops flashing on HUD. m) Wait approximately 20 seconds for the PASS device to prealert. 405.05 Self Contained Breathing Apparatus 7. C. D. Page 5 of 8 n) Shut off pre-alert by either pressing yellow button once or by moving the pack to reset the motion sensor. o) Wait approximately 30 seconds for the PASS device to go into full alert. p) Press yellow button twice to silence the PASS alarm. q) Press yellow button 2 more times to shut unit off completely. A high/low chirp should be heard confirming the SCBA has been shutdown. STOW SCBA IN READY POSITION: a) Adjust straps for quick donning. Inspect placement of the SCBA in seat brackets. Make sure it is secured in place. Donning the SCBA shall include: 1. Don the SCBA adjusting straps to a working fit. All straps must be connected and firmly secured. The weight of the SCBA should rest primarily on the wearer’s hips. 2. Don the mask, pulling straps to tighten. Straps should be pulled towards the back of the head, not out to the sides. 3. Place hood over mask, making sure to cover all skin on neck/face. 4. Replace helmet, tighten strap for working comfort. Cleaning 1. CAUTIONS a) Check the pressure on the cylinder gauge and open the cylinder valve before cleaning the equipment. The air pressure in the cylinder prevents water from entering the regulator. b) Use SCBA-specific cleaner/disinfectant and warm water to clean. DO NOT use alcohol, bleach, or solutions containing these chemicals, as they can damage SCBA components. SCBA-specific cleaner/disinfectant can be obtained from the SCBA technician. c) DO NOT use “shop” air from fire station air compressors. These contain lubricants and the pressures are high enough to cause damage to components. 405.05 Self Contained Breathing Apparatus 2. 3. Page 6 of 8 d) All parts must be completely dry before re-assembly. e) Inspect for any damage/wear while cleaning. f) For further information on cleaning, refer to the Scott User’s Manual at the following link. http://intranet/departments/FR/support/SCBA%20items/Scott Operating_Maint.pdf SCBA Unit a) When cleaning the back frame, snap a bottle in place and offset to keep water and soap out of the pressure reducer. b) Rinse residue from back frame. Do not use a pressure washer to clean SCBA. c) Using mild-detergent cleaner and a sponge or soft-bristled brush, scrub all metal areas to remove soot and then rinse. d) Use a clean, lint-free cloth or allow to air dry. Face Mask / Regulator a) Clean with approved cleaner/disinfectant. Cleaner can be applied using a spray bottle. (1) Do not use unapproved commercial cleaners inside the mask. The unapproved cleaners could remove coatings on the lens. (2) If needed, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions at the following link. http://intranet/departments/FR/support/SCBA%20item s/ScottOperating_Maint.pdf b) When rinsing the mask and regulator, ensure that warm tap water is used (not over 110 degrees). c) Do not flood air passages with excess amounts of water. Keep air saver switch and purge valve closed during rinsing. Cover internal components of regulator and end of hose. d) Dry the mask using a clean, lint-free cloth. Ensure that excess water is removed from all components. Use caution when cleaning in cold weather as water left in regulator can freeze causing failure. After cleaning and drying, activate air supply and open purge valve to remove any moisture from inside regulator. e) 405.05 Self Contained Breathing Apparatus f) E. V. Page 7 of 8 The mask should be stored in its provided bag for protection when not in use. Maintenance 1. SCBA equipment needing repair should be removed from service. Fill out a red equipment repair tag and contact the SCBA technician. EMERGENCY AIR OPERATIONS A. Primary pressure reducer failure – In the event that the primary side of the pressure reducer encounters a problem, it switches over to the secondary piston located on the right side of the pressure reducer. This causes the Vibralert to activate, even with air pressure over 1200 psi. 1. Lack or Loss of Air - Check that the cylinder is fully open. If the valve is open and the problem persists, open the purge valve. You may be able to regulate the airflow by opening and closing this valve. 2. Free Flow of Air – Check to see that the purge valve is not open. Reset air saver switch and breathe to restart airflow. Use the cylinder valve to control airflow by reaching back with your right hand to open and close the valve as needed if free flow is not stopped. 3. If any of the above situations occur, leave the hazardous atmosphere as soon as possible. These emergency procedures are not intended to allow you to remain in the hazardous environment. Be prepared to call a MAYDAY and initiate buddy breathing. VI. SUPPLIED AIR OPERATIONS A. The SCBA is equipped with an Emergency Breathing Support System (EBSS or buddy breather) hose located near the right hip. This hose can be used to connect to the supplied air connections in the bucket of the truck companies. It is recommended the SCBA bottle be shut down once using supplied air. VII. BUDDY BREATHING A. VIII. The EBSS (buddy breather) hose can be used to share air between two members in an emergency situation. STORAGE ON APPARATUS A. SCBA units need to be secured properly on the apparatus at all times. Current LVFR apparatus have either the Smartdock bracket or the Walkaway bracket. 405.05 Self Contained Breathing Apparatus Page 8 of 8 1. In rigs equipped with the Walkaway bracket, the bottle strap must be used at all times. 2. SCBA shoulder straps can be stowed either over the top of the seat or tucked alongside the bottle. IX. COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT A. All personnel shall use the voice amplifier on their mask to enhance faceto-face communication. In addition, all personnel shall have the lapel microphone attached to their portable radio with the microphone clipped to the microphone tab on the left shoulder strap of the SCBA whenever the SCBA is in use. X. SAFETY A. When refilling SCBA cylinders, the threaded CGA connection must be used. XI. B. Routine filling of SCBA cylinders through the quick-connect fitting is not allowed. This procedure is reserved for emergency transfill RIT operations. C. Filling of SCBA cylinders while the SCBA is still being worn by the user is not allowed. D. SCBA cylinders must be filled while inside a secure filling container. EVALUATIONS A. All members of the Suppression Division will be evaluated quarterly on the use of the SCBA. 1. The evaluation results will be recorded in a training report.