Atmospheric_Monitoring_for_Carbon_Monoxide.pdf
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Policy 308 Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/29, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Atmospheric Monitoring for Carbon Monoxide - 1 Atmospheric Monitoring for Carbon Monoxide 308.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This policy estab...
Policy 308 Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/29, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Atmospheric Monitoring for Carbon Monoxide - 1 Atmospheric Monitoring for Carbon Monoxide 308.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This policy establishes procedures for measuring atmospheric concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen cyanide (HCN) at an incident for the safety of members working in potentially hazardous conditions. 308.1.1 DEFINITIONS Definitions related to this policy include: Calibration - The process of resetting the values for each sensor in the instrument. Immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) - Any atmosphere that poses an immediate threat to life, would cause irreversible adverse health effects or would impair an individual's ability to escape from a dangerous atmosphere. Interior atmospheric conditions at structure fires beyond the incipient stage are considered IDLH, as are a variety of rescue types (29 CFR 1910.134; 16 VAC 25-60-30; 16 VAC 25-90-1910). Spanning - The process of using the calibration gasses to check the calibration of the instrument, also known as bump testing. 308.2 POLICY Exposure to CO and HCN can be hazardous to the health of those exposed. It is the policy of the Chesapeake Fire Department to mitigate the health risks associated with exposure to CO and HCN by its members and the public. 308.3 RESPONSIBILITIES Station Commander should ensure that atmospheric monitoring instruments are spanned or calibrated to manufacturer’s specifications on a monthly basis, if they have not been used, and prior to use. The instruments should be stored in operating condition. The Incident Commander or the authorized designee is responsible for measuring atmospheric concentrations of CO and HCN at any location containing or suspected of containing elevated levels of CO. The removal of Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) is at the discretion of the Incident Commander after atmospheric monitoring of the environment has been completed. 308.4 PROCEDURES Both carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide may be present as a by-product of combustion, an emission from internal combustion engines, a chemical reaction or a leak from an industrial process. Carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide has approximately the same vapor density as air. When measuring for atmospheric concentrations of CO and HCN at an incident, instruments do not have to be placed near the floor or ceiling to obtain accurate readings. Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Atmospheric Monitoring for Carbon Monoxide Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/29, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire DepartmentAtmospheric Monitoring for Carbon Monoxide - 2 Positive pressure ventilation may be used to reduce the CO concentration, as well as the presence of other toxic gases in the atmosphere. 308.4.1 CARBON MONOXIDE All members shall use self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) in any atmosphere containing 35 parts per million or greater of CO. An atmospheric concentration of CO that is below 35 parts per million does not necessarily indicate an adequate level of oxygen or eliminate the possibility of other toxic gases or products of combustion being present. Members shall also use an SCBA in any atmospheric concentration of CO that is below 35 parts per million where there is also the presence of visible smoke, and in any atmosphere containing less than 19.5 percent oxygen (29 CFR 1910.134; 16 VAC 25-60-30; 16 VAC 25-90-1910). 308.4.2 HYDROGEN CYANIDE All members shall use self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) in any atmosphere containing 4.5 parts per million or greater of HCN. An atmospheric concentration of HCN that is below 4.5 parts per million does not necessarily indicate an adequate level of oxygen or eliminate the possibility of other toxic gases or products of combustion being present. Members shall also use an SCBA in any atmospheric concentration of HCN that is below 4.5 parts per million where there is also the presence of visible smoke, and in any atmosphere containing less than 19.5 percent oxygen (29 CFR 1910.134; 16 VAC 25-60-30; 16 VAC 25-90-1910). 308.5 SANITATION Gear worn, or people rescued from an active fire area may continue to off-gas HCN. Clothing or personal protective gear that has been contaminated with hydrogen cyanide should be placed in a closed container for storage until it can be discarded or until provisions are made for the removal of hydrogen cyanide from the clothing. (see the Personal Protective Equipment Policy) If the clothing is to be laundered or otherwise cleaned to remove the hydrogen cyanide, the person performing the operation should be informed of the substances hazardous properties. Skin that becomes contaminated with hydrogen cyanide should be immediately washed or showered to remove the hydrogen cyanide. Members should not eat, smoke, or use the toilet facilities until their hands have been washed thoroughly with soap and water. 308.6 EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT A person with acute CO or HCN exposure may exhibit the signs and symptoms of headache, flushing, nausea, vertigo, weakness, irritability, unconsciousness, and in persons with pre-existing heart disease and atherosclerosis, chest pain and leg pain. Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Atmospheric Monitoring for Carbon Monoxide Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/29, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire DepartmentAtmospheric Monitoring for Carbon Monoxide - 3 An affected or incapacitated person should be removed from further exposure and have appropriate emergency medical procedures implemented, including any listed on the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for CO and HCN. All personnel with the potential for becoming exposed to CO or HCN or being present during an exposure should be familiar with emergency procedures, the location and proper use of emergency equipment, and the methods of protecting themselves during rescue operations. 308.6.1 EXPOSURE The following three indicators are to be used to determine if a person has been exposed: • Exposed to fire or smoke in an enclosed area • Soot found around the mouth and nose • Altered mental status If personnel are found to have been operating in an Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) atmospheres or experiencing severe health effects it is strongly recommended they be transported for advanced medical evaluation. The Field Medical Officer will report to the receiving facility to insure that testing for Hydrogen Cyanide in the blood has been completed immediately. 308.6.2 REPORTING The reporting officer will be responsible for recording any significant exposures during a structure fire. The following information will be supplied in the narrative: (a) The Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN) and Carbon Monoxide (CO) levels during the time of operation (b) Areas monitored with corresponding reading (c) How long personnel operated in the atmosphere (d) Names of personnel operating in the hazardous atmosphere (e) Specifics concerning the call. i.e. major materials that burned or were greatly heated The casualty module will be completed whenever personnel have been exposed to atmospheres above the action level. (see the National Incident Reporting System Policy) 308.7 DOCUMENTATION Each time an atmospheric monitoring instrument is spanned or calibrated, the testing will be entered on a log: (a) As required by CFD policy, each station commanders will record the carbon monoxide meter in their station’s inventory. (b) The CO meter will be used to monitor the atmosphere during any suspected carbon monoxide investigation, including prior to removal of SCBA on structure fires with a CO level exceeding 35 ppm or greater. (c) Each morning the CO meter will be examined and tested and the results of that test entered onto the Daily Equipment Check-off Sheet. Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Atmospheric Monitoring for Carbon Monoxide Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/29, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire DepartmentAtmospheric Monitoring for Carbon Monoxide - 4 (d) The CO meter must be calibrated once monthly and the results of the calibration logged on the Monthly Check Sheet.The meter must be “zeroed” prior to each use.
