320-03 ATMOSPHERIC MONITORING.pdf

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Standard Operating Guideline SOG 320-03 Atmospheric Monitoring Issue Date: 08/25/2021...

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Standard Operating Guideline SOG 320-03 Atmospheric Monitoring Issue Date: 08/25/2021 Effective Date: 09/08/2021 PURPOSE: To provide general operating guidelines for the operation of general atmospheric monitoring during fire operations or activated detector alarms. AUTHORITY:  Fire Rescue Administrator SCOPE: This standard guideline shall apply to all Emergency Operations personnel. ATTACHMENTS Attachment A: A1-A2 Alarm Values Attachment B: Atmospheric Monitoring Maintenance Attachment C: Sensor Information Attachment D: Carbon Monoxide Step-by-Step PROCEDURE: These guidelines provide a basic framework for most incidents. 1. Single and Multi-Gas Monitor Equipment Standardization: a. Atmospheric monitoring equipment shall be carried on each Engine, Aerial, Rescue, Battalion Chief, EMS Captain and Special Operation vehicle. b. Each Engine, Aerial and Rescue shall carry a PAC 5500 single gas CO monitor that shall be attached to the exterior portion of the Patient Assessment Bag. They are not to be removed from the exterior portion of the Patient Assessment Bag. c. Each Engine, Aerial, Battalion Chief and Special Operations vehicle shall carry, at minimum, a Drager X-am 2500 4-Gas monitor with the ability to monitor the following: i. Oxygen deficiency and enrichment (O2) ii. Flammable Gases (Lower Explosive Limit) iii. Carbon Monoxide toxicity (CO) iv. Hydrogen Sulfide toxicity (H2S) d. Each EMS Captain vehicle shall carry, at minimum, a Drager X-am 5000 5-Gas monitor with the ability to monitor the following: i. Oxygen deficiency and enrichment (O2) ii. Flammable Gases (Lower Explosive Limit) iii. Carbon Monoxide toxicity (CO) iv. Hydrogen Cyanide toxicity (HCN) SOG 320-03 Atmospheric Monitoring Page 1 of 5  v. Organic Vapor toxicity (OV) 2. General: a. The Incident Commander shall ensure atmospheric monitoring is conducted when indicated. Should Incident Command not be established, the Company Officer shall ensure atmospheric monitoring is conducted when indicated. b. Operators of any atmospheric monitor should be knowledgeable in the use of the monitor, and have an understanding of the hazards they are detecting. c. The person performing the monitoring should be wearing full protective gear, including appropriate respiratory protection. The preferred method of respiratory protection is a positive pressure Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). However, it may be appropriate for other means of respiratory protection during fire investigations, Wildland fires or while performing support functions on a fire scene. d. Should a monitor alarm activate at any time during monitoring operations: i. The Incident Commander shall be informed. ii. A primary search shall be conducted for victims utilizing full personal protective equipment and respiratory protection. iii. The Incident Commander shall ensure the proper Control Zones are established. iv. Personnel not wearing full protective gear, including respiratory protection, shall immediately evacuate the structure and/or hazard area. v. Additional ventilation shall be performed prior to any personnel removing any respiratory protection. 3. Passive Atmospheric Monitoring: (Background Level Mode) a. As it relates to this SOG, passive atmospheric monitoring is when a monitor is continually monitoring the atmosphere without assistance. b. PAC 5500 Single Gas CO monitors shall be used for passive atmospheric monitoring to alert crews of the presence of carbon monoxide gas on the scene of emergency medical calls. c. PAC 5500 Single Gas CO monitors are to remain turned on at all times. d. PAC 5500 Single Gas CO monitors are not intended for atmospheric monitoring for combustion processes (i.e. structure fires, training burns, etc…) or activated residential or commercial detector alarms. Multi-gas monitors are intended for those purposes. e. PAC 5500 Single Gas CO monitors are designed to automatically re-set once the CO levels return to 0 PPM. 4. Active Atmospheric Monitoring: (Investigative Mode) a. As it relates to this SOG, active atmospheric monitoring is when a firefighter is actively monitoring an atmosphere (i.e. a firefighter is attempting to detect the presence of a LEL on a propane leak). b. When investigating residential or commercial alarm activations, active atmospheric monitoring shall be used to determine if any hazard exists, before and after removal of any source, and after ventilation of any enclosed structure. SOG 320-03 Atmospheric Monitoring Page 2 of 5  c. The Drager X-am monitors have two alarm modes, the A1 and A2 alarm mode. See Appendix A. d. When the A1 alarm mode is activated, a distinct audible alert tone is sounded that is able to be acknowledged. When the A1 alarm mode is activated, it is an indication to the operator that a dangerous environment is present and the operator should take appropriate corresponding actions. Consult the manufactures user manual and other reputable chemical reference material for further information. e. When the A2 alarm mode is activated, a distinct audible alert tone is sounded that is NOT able to be acknowledged and silenced until gas levels return to below A2 values. When the A2 alarm mode is activated, it is an indication to the operator that a more dangerous environment is present and the operator should take appropriate corresponding actions. Consult the manufactures user manual and other reputable chemical reference material for further information. f. The common gases between the Drager X-am 2500 4-Gas monitor and Drager X-am 5000 5-Gas monitor include: i. Oxygen ii. Flammable Gases iii. Carbon Monoxide g. Oxygen deficient and enriched atmospheres are extremely important to consider during any incident. Oxygen must be present above 10% for the Drager X-am 2500 or the Drager X-am 5000 atmospheric monitors to operate correctly. Oxygen enriched atmospheres pose a flammability and explosion hazard. h. Flammable gases pose an explosion hazard. If a Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) alarm is reported, the Incident Commander shall assign personnel to determine the source (i.e. propane, natural gas, opened or damaged containers with a flammable substance, etc…). i. Carbon monoxide is an acute hazard that has the potential to cause death quickly. Carbon monoxide is a colorless odorless gas that is lethal in small quantities. j. Normal atmospheric conditions are: i. O2 (Oxygen) 20.9% ii. LEL (Lower Explosive Limit) 0% iii. CO (Carbon Monoxide) 0 ppm iv. H2S (Hydrogen Sulfide) 0 ppm 5. Active Atmospheric Monitoring using the Drager X-am 2500 4-Gas monitor: a. The Drager X-am 2500 4-Gas monitor shall be used for all activated detector alarm incidents (i.e. carbon monoxide, smoke, natural gas, propane, etc…). b. Monitoring for hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas is unique to the Drager X-am 2500 4-Gas monitor. c. Hydrogen sulfide is an acute hazard that has the potential to cause death quickly. Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless gas that has a strong rotten egg odor that fades rapidly due to deadening of the sense. d. Monitoring for hydrogen sulfide shall be performed for all below grade operations or operations where biological decomposition processes are likely to be occurring (i.e. sewer systems, septic tanks, horse barns, etc…). SOG 320-03 Atmospheric Monitoring Page 3 of 5  6. Active Atmospheric Monitoring using the Drager X-am 5000 5-Gas monitor: a. The Drager X-am 5000 5-Gas monitor shall be used on all fire incidents when combustion processes have occurred. b. Monitoring for hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and organic vapors (OV) are unique to the Drager X-am 5000 5-Gas monitor. c. Research has shown modern day fires produce harmful toxins such as Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN), Organic Vapors (OV), and Carbon Monoxide (CO). d. Hydrogen cyanide is an acute hazard that has the potential to cause death quickly. Hydrogen cyanide is a colorless gas that has a bitter, almond-like odor that is detectable at a low level (1-5ppm) to only 60-70% of the population. e. Organic Vapors are hazardous to human health. OVs have the potential to be carcinogens. f. The Drager X-am 5000 5-Gas screen shall display EO (Ethylene Oxide) for Organic Vapors. g. Atmospheric readings using the Drager X-am 5000 5-gas shall be obtained in all areas that are in close proximity to any fire (Wildland, structure, vehicle, training, dumpster, etc…). h. The Incident Safety Officer shall ensure: i. That atmospheric monitoring readings are at safe levels before allowing personnel to remove SCBA’s during overhaul. Monitoring of these levels shall be continuous while operations are proceeding. ii. All personnel operating within areas where the Organic Vapor alarm activates have performed a risk benefit analysis to ensure the benefit out weights the exposure to the Organic Vapors. iii. Respiratory protection is used accordingly. 1. SCBA’s greatly reduce the health hazards. 2. If available, half-mask cartridge respirators with Organic Vapor filters may be used if all of the following are met: a. Organic Vapors are the only abnormal gas present. b. Oxygen levels are normal. 3. Half-mask cartridge respirators with Organic Vapor filters are particularly useful for: a. Wildland fires b. Driver Operators operating the pump panel c. The Incident Safety Officer d. Post fire activities when no other gases are abnormal. 4. Since half-mask cartridge respirators are designed to filter limited and specific chemicals, they shall NOT be used during any Hot Zone activities. 5. A full face mask with SCBA shall be used in the Hot Zone. a. Examples of when to use a full face mask with SCBA include: i. Fire Attack ii. Search and Rescue iii. Back-up Lines SOG 320-03 Atmospheric Monitoring Page 4 of 5  iv. Overhaul v. Ventilation iv. Personnel’s proximity to products of combustion are evaluated and appropriate actions are taken to reduce exposures. 1. Particular attention should be given to any units assigned to Ventilation and RIC, as well as the Incident Command Post location. 2. Wind direction greatly influences the atmosphere surrounding the Hot Zone. i. The marking of formal Control Zones may not occur at every fire incident. All personnel should be aware that Control Zones still exist. Refer to SOG 420-01 Fire Attack Operations. j. The Incident Commander or Incident Safety Officer shall determine if it is safe for: i. Firefighters to remove their respiratory protection. ii. Occupants to enter any structure. iii. Fire Investigators to enter any structure. k. Positive pressure ventilation and atmospheric monitoring shall remain in effect during overhaul operations. l. Fire Investigators shall refer to SOG 800-05 Fire Scene Safety for Investigators for respiratory protection guidelines. m. The Fire Rescue personnel performing atmospheric monitoring should enter all readings obtained during an incident into the appropriate fire reporting system. Supersession History 1. SOG #1525, issued 07/01/2005 2. SOG #1525, issued 11/03/2017 3. SOG 320-04, clerical 05/01/2018 4. SOG 320-04, issued 05/21/2018 5. SOG 320-04, clerical 9/19/2018 6. SOG 320-04, reviewed 08/25/2021 SOG 320-03 Atmospheric Monitoring Page 5 of 5