Working Copy | Revised January 2005
S.O.G.’s
Chapter 14 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus - SCBA
Revised August, 2007
Fort Blackmore VFD has created these Guidelines to help our Firefighters
continue to be safe on the Fire Ground. NOTE: This is a guideline and not a
FBVFD-required policy. All Guidelines developed by the Officers at FBVFD are to
be viewed as Guidelines and not as Standard Operating Procedures. The Training
Officer will attempt to bring all Firefighters up to a current standard of
knowledge for SCBA safe use, donning, doffing, using, changing bottles,
cleaning, inspecting, and other regular maintenance.
SCBA "Ready to Use" Status and Monthly Inspection
This SOG outlines the guidelines to ensure that equipment is in the "ready to
use" status. It also ensures that firefighters stay familiar with their
equipment.
Primary Steps
Remove and inspect SCBA before donning
Donn the SCBA
Confirm correct face seal by using your hand to seal the mask and
breathing in sharply. [Fit Testing will occur as the Department expands, or
when available]
Doff the SCBA
Clean and replace the SCBA into its carrying case or its correct place on
the Engine.
Guideline
Step One: Remove and inspect the SCBA before donning
a) Remove unit and face mask from case or place on Engine
b) Visually inspect the equipment
c) Check condition of tank, mask, straps, and hoses
d) Report any cracks in straps or hoses, scratches in mask, dents in
tank, etc.
e) If using a "demand" type SCBA, be sure the demand valve mode
selector is in the "donning" [off] position
f) Check the cylinder pressure located at the cylinder valve. If the
gauge registers full, proceed.
Step Two: Donn the SCBA
g) Remove unit and face mask from case or place on Engine
h) Donn the cylinder and backpack, connect/adjust straps and waist
belt to ensure correct fit
i) Open cylinder valve
j) Check for alarm to sound. Confirm this operation.
k) Check for near-identical readings of air pressure on cylinder
valve on pressure dial [if so equipped]. Also, LEDs in new SCBA models
will be totally lighted with a full cylinder.
l) Donn the face mask and adjust straps to correct fit
m) Check seal by hand and by breathing in deeply
n) If using "demand" type SCBA, attach demand valve to facemask.
Ensure that the Red bypass valve is working by opening valve for one
second. Close bypass.
o) If using "positive pressure" type SCBA, attach regulator to
facemask. Ensure that the Red bypass valve is working by opening valve
for one second. Close bypass.
Step Three: Confirm correct face seal
p) Confirm that the mask seal is correct. A correct seal is achieved
only when there is no sound of air leaking through the face piece while
you hold your breath.
q) Breathe normally for 1-2 minutes to confirm correct operation.
r) Perform bypass valve check
s) Turn the facemask mounted red bypass handwheel clockwise
t) A constant flow of air should flow into facemask
u) Turn the bypass valve off
v) NOTE: Bypass valve will be used in an emergency situation should
the regulator become damaged or inoperative during use [or the demand
valve in "demand" type SCBA become damaged or inoperative during use]
w) Check the pressure gauge mounted on strap
x) Gauge should read full
y) If not full, notify an Officer, or refill cylinder if you have
been adequately trained
Step Four: Doff the SCBA
Doffing: turn the demand valve [if so equipped] selector to the off
position. For Positive Pressure SCBA, push in regulator air switch mounted
at top of regulator
Loosen head harness straps and remove facemask
Turn cylinder valve to OFF position
Remove demand valve or Positive Pressure SCBA Regulator from facemask
Undo the waistbelt and loosen shoulder straps. Remove the SCBA
Release any air trapped in the system by partially turning the bypass
valve ON and then OFF again
Alarm must sound as air pressure is reduced to zero
a. If not full, notify an Officer, or refill cylinder if you have
been adequately trained
Step Four: Doff the SCBA
Step Five: Clean, Inspect and Replace SCBA into carrying case or place on
Engine
z) Wipe out inside of facemask thoroughly with sanitizer. It is
important to disinfect the facial contact rubber surface inside the
facemask.
aa) Inspect mask, webbing, tubing, alarm bell, HUD {if so equipped},
according to the manufacturer’s prescribed methods; consult the
manufacturer’s user guides for more details, found with the Training
Officer
bb) Replace facemask into a protective plastic bag
cc) Replace webbing / backpack / tank assembly / PASS / facemask
neatly into storage case or place on Engine; return to a stored location
on Engine or Tanker.
PASS Device "Ready to Use" Status
The PASS device is designed to alert the Firefighter to danger. SuperPASS
II’s are attached to the webbing of the SCBA and are turned on by a special
plastic key. The key is taken off the PASS and the device is then set to use.
The SuperPASS will monitor movement of the firefighter and temperature arounding
the firefighter. Contact the Training Officer for more details on Maintaining
the PASS device.
No Firefighter is allowed to enter a hazardous atmosphere without a PASS
Device is working order, switched on. This SOG outlines the guidelines to ensure
that equipment is in the "ready to use"; however, care should be given to
observing the manufacturer’s guidelines and manual. Contact the Training Officer
for more information.
Placing the PASS Device In-Service, at the Fire Scene
When using a SuperPASS II or other similar PASS:
After taking an SCBA off a truck or out of a carry box, ensure
that the IC-Tag / Safety Key is taken off
Give the Key to the IC
Test the PASS by observing the steps given in the PASS
manufacturer’s manual; be sure that it is in working order
Some PASS devices are permanently installed on SCBA webbing; i.e.
"Firefly" or "Dragonfly" PASS Devices
Do not use the PASS if it does not come on or the low battery
beeping is heard
If the PASS emits noise and light while you are inside a hostile
environment, tell your buddy and return to the truck for repair,
cleaning, or clearing.
SCBA "Ready to Use" Status / Placing In-Service after Fire Incidents and Fire
Incidents
This SOG outlines the guidelines to ensure that equipment is in the "ready to
use" status. It also ensures that firefighters stay familiar with their
equipment.
Firefighters need to be familiar with their SCBA before a fire incident.
Training Officer will ensure that all members who wish to do Interior
Firefighting or 10-50 Car Fires, or other HAZMAT Incidents will be trained to a
competent level. Firefighters are urged to practice with their SCBA during
non-training times at the Fire Hall. A fire scene is NOT a training session, and
the firefighter should realize that he/she cannot use the SCBA on the scene
unless they are properly trained by the Training Officer.
Firefighters also need to be familiar with their own abilities and phobias.
If the firefighter feels that the fire is "above their head", then they should
advise an Officer and back out. Firefighters using SCBA should constantly be
aware of their surroundings, and their physical condition. If the surroundings
in a fire are not conditions they are trained for, they should back out. If
their physical condition in a fire is not adequate for hot-sweaty-heart-pounding
work, they should back out. Be sure to tell your Officer if you wish to back
out.
No volunteer at Fort Blackmore VFD will be forced to work with SCBA. However,
SCBA should be worn during
House Fire Incidents
Car Fires
Overhaul and Salvage when hazardous vapors still exist
HAZMAT Operations in the HOT Zone
Hot-House Training
Return the SCBA to its spot of the truck. Tell the Driver / Operator that
that SCBA was used and needs to be placed back in service.
Firefighters will follow the guidelines for training on SCBA from the
preceding
pages of this Chapter.
SCBA Maintenance
The Chief Officer will designate a Firefighter or Officer to do maintenance
checks on all SCBA used by the Department. The SCBA Maintenance Officer shall
inspect and record the condition of all SCBA and spare bottles used by the
Department. This Maintenance Officer shall attempt to make simple repairs, keep
the SCBA in a clean condition, bottles filled with air, and returned to their
place on the trucks.
Some of the items to look for are:
Condition of the webbing
Condition of the harness
Condition of the face mask
Condition of the HUD, if so equipped
Condition of the bottle
Pressure of the bottle
Pressure of the spare bottles
Condition of the bottles
Current Hydro test dates
Replacement of batteries, if so equipped
Condition of the PASS, if so equipped
Other
