Hoffman Estates Fire Department SOG - SCBA and Integrated PASS Device Use PDF

HOFFMAN ESTATES FIRE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES SOG Category & Identification Number: EFFECTIVE DATE: SAFETY OPERATIONS – 002 January 1, 2022 NIMS COMPLIANT SOG Titl...

HOFFMAN ESTATES FIRE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES SOG Category & Identification Number: EFFECTIVE DATE: SAFETY OPERATIONS – 002 January 1, 2022 NIMS COMPLIANT SOG Title: SCBA and Integrated PASS Device Use Revision: 4 APPROVED BY: NUMBER OF PAGES: Re-evaluation Date: Alan Wax January 1, 2025 Fire Chief 2 PURPOSE The Fire Department mandates the use of SCBAs outfitted with integrated PASS devices whenever the threat of a contaminated or oxygen deficient atmosphere exists. The use of SCBA means that the user must have the face piece in place, and breathing air from the SCBA. POLICY SCBA's shall be used by all personnel working in areas where: A. The atmosphere is hazardous B. The atmosphere is suspected of being hazardous C. The atmosphere may rapidly become hazardous SCBAs shall not be removed prematurely during overhaul operations. Members working in these areas are required to use their SCBA's until the condition of the atmosphere is determined safe by monitoring the condition of the atmosphere. All personnel working below ground level or inside a confined space shall use their SCBAs unless the condition of the atmosphere can be established and maintained by monitoring for 02, CO, LEL combustible atmosphere, and H2S with Quattro Sensit monitor or equivalent monitor and determined safe. An atmosphere shall be considered safe if the readings fall within the following NIOSH permissible exposure limits: O2 Level = not below 19.5% or greater than 23.5% CO Level = not greater than 35 parts per million H2S = not greater than 10 parts per million HCN = not greater than 4.7 parts per million Members using SCBAs shall operate in teams of two or more who are in communication with one another and are in close proximity to one another to provide assistance in case of emergency. 1 When members are involved in operations that require the use of SCBA, at least one member of the NIMS group shall be responsible for maintaining a constant awareness of the number and identity of personnel using SCBA, their location and function. All shift and designated personnel shall be thoroughly trained in the use, care and maintenance of the SCBA. All minimum requirements will be met as set forth by the Training Officer and be certified that they have the skills to meet the annual certification requirements established by this Department. Members with operational questions should contact their company officer, and review with them Basic Skill 55-1 which details operations and inspections. The face piece shall fit the user as close as possible by an established annual quantitative fit test and have a nose cup fitted to the face piece. Facial hair at any point where the SCBA face piece is designed to seal with the face, regardless of the specific fit test measurement that can be obtained, or hair that could interfere with the face piece valve function shall be prohibited for members required to use SCBA. When a member must wear corrective lenses while using SCBA, the SCBA face piece shall be fitted with spectacles inside of the face piece in such a manner that shall not interfere with the face piece- to-face seal. Spectacles with any strap or temple bars that pass through the face piece-to-face seal area shall be prohibited. Use of soft contact and gas permeable lenses shall be permitted during SCBA use, provided that the member has previously demonstrated successful long-term soft contact lens use. Use of hard lenses during SCBA use shall be prohibited. Nothing shall be allowed to enter or pass through the area where the SCBA face piece is designed to seal with the face, regardless of the specific fit test measurement that can be obtained. All SCBA cylinders shall be hydrostatically tested within the periods specified by the manufacturer and the applicable government agencies. Compressed gaseous breathing air used in the SCBA shall meet the requirements of the Compressed Gas Association G-7.1, and have a minimum requirement of Grade "D". All SCBA's will be required to have maintenance performed as set by the manufacturer's specifications. All maintenance performed on the SCBA, other than daily checks and cleaning shall be done by certified personnel. All SCBA's will meet the requirements of NFPA Standard 1981 at the time of purchase. PROCEDURE DEFINITIONS EXCEPTIONS REFERENCES End of Document 2