SFD.084 Post-Incident Air Monitoring PDF

# Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7 Standard Operating Line ## SFD.084 Post-Incident Air Monitoring ### Revision No. Issue Date Effective Date Approved By: | Revision No.| Issue Date | Effective Date | Approved By | | ------------- | ------------- | ------------- | ------------- | | 0...

# Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7 Standard Operating Line ## SFD.084 Post-Incident Air Monitoring ### Revision No. Issue Date Effective Date Approved By: | Revision No.| Issue Date | Effective Date | Approved By | | ------------- | ------------- | ------------- | ------------- | | 0 | 23 Aug. 2024 | 23 Aug. 2024 | Scott C. Seifert| | 1 | 23 Aug. 2024 | 1 Aug. 2025 | Scott C. Seifert| ### Review Date Operation Reviewed By: | Review Date | Operation | Reviewed By | | ------------- | ------------- | ------------- | | 1 Aug. 2025 | | S | ## 1. Executive Summary - The Incident Commander (IC) and/or Safety Officer is responsible for implementing the air monitoring process. All members must wear full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including SCBA until authorized by Command to remove them based on air monitoring results. - Air monitoring for Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) atmospheres will begin when the Incident Commander deems it appropriate. - After the fire is extinguished and ventilation is completed, the Incident Commander will request air quality monitoring to ensure levels meet safe operational limits per NIOSH standards. - Multi-gas meters and HCN meters will be used to monitor air quality in all areas of the structure. - Respiratory protection can be removed only if CO levels are less than 35 ppm, HCN levels are less than 4.7 ppm, O2 levels are between 19.5% and 23%, and VOC levels are less than 100 ppm. - Once the IC or Safety Officer determines that SCBA is no longer required, the atmosphere in the structure must be monitored and rechecked every 15 minutes. - The guideline does not preclude a firefighter from wearing respiratory protection at any time, and the IC or Safety Officer may require personnel to wear breathing protection regardless of air quality levels. ## 2. Purpose - To establish guidelines for monitoring Carbon Monoxide (CO), Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN), and Oxygen (O2) levels in structure fire buildings to determine when respiratory protection is no longer required for the protection of personnel. ## 3. Policy Statement - All members must comply with this guideline. ## 4. Scope - This guideline applies to all members. ## 5. Definitions - See Glossary ## 6. Procedures and Responsibilities - It will be the responsibility of the Incident Commander (IC) and/or Safety Officer (if assigned) to implement the air monitoring process. All members are to wear full Personal Protective equipment including SCBA until authorized by Command to doff them based in part on air monitoring results. - Air monitoring for IDLH atmospheres will begin when the Incident Commander deems it appropriate. - When the fire has been extinguished and ventilation has been completed so visibility is not impaired, the Incident Commander shall request to have the structure monitored for air quality levels. These levels will need to meet safe operational limits per NIOSH standards. - Any multi-gas meter in conjunction with a built-in or stand-alone HCN meter will be used to monitor the air quality in all areas of the structure. * For respiratory protection to be removed, all criteria below must be met: - CO - Must be less than 35 parts per million(ppm). This is the recommended airborne exposure limit (REL) for CO as recommended by NIOSH. - HCN - Must be less than 4.7 ppm. This is the recommended airborne exposure limit (REL) for HCN as recommended by NIOSH. The Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) for HCN is 50 ppm. - O2 - Greater than 19.5%, but less than 23% - VOCs – monitor if equipment is available – Must be less than 100 ppm - The above exposure limits are for air levels only. When skin contact also occurs, you may be overexposed, even though air levels are less than the limits listed above. - Once the IC or Safety Officer has determined the incident no longer requires SCBA, the atmosphere in the structure shall be monitored and rechecked every 15 minutes. - At no time does this Guideline require an individual not to use breathing protection. - The IC or Incident Safety Officer may require personnel to wear breathing protection at any time, regardless of the air quality levels obtained. - If the oxygen levels are less than 20.9%, it is advisable to determine why the levels are low and what may be displacing the oxygen. - This guideline does not preclude a firefighter from wearing respiratory protection at any time. ## 7. References & Related Policies - This section provides references to applicable laws, standards, or other related internal policies or guidelines. ## 8. Contact Office - The appropriate contact office for questions or comments on this SOG is: - Company Officer - District Chief - Deputy Chief of Operations - Assistant Chief - Fire Chief ## 9. List of Changes | Revision No.| Description of Changes | Approved By | Effective Date | | ------------- | ------------- | ------------- | ------------- | | 1 | First version. | Davenport | | ## 10. Errors - See something wrong? Click here or use this QR code to submit an error or inconsistency This policy is for internal use only and does not enlarge a member's legal duty or civil liability in any way. This policy should not be construed as creating a duty to act or a higher duty of care, with respect to third-party civil claims against members or the department. A violation of this policy, if proven, can only form the basis of a complaint by this department for non-judicial administrative action in accordance with the laws governing member discipline.