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Introduction Parts & Specifications Visual Inspection BA Donning Procedure Additional Notes

1. Introduction
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) is a common piece of respiratory protective equipment used by fire fighters and rescuers. To enable the user to work in environment that does not support atmospheric breathing such as those affected by:High Temperature (e.g. Fire scenes) Oxygen Deficiency Toxic Gas & Fumes Smoke & other Irritants

2. Parts & Specifications


BA Carrying Bag HP/MP Reducer Valve Back-Plate or Carry Frame Waist Belt Cylinder Strap Shoulder Strap Medium Pressure Hose Air Klic Coupling Lung Demand Valve Bypass Button Face Mask Dual Hose HP/MP Mask Straps Main Cylinder Valve Compressed Air Cylinder Pressure Gauge Warning Whistle

2. Parts & Specifications


HP/MP Reducer Valve
High pressure air supplied from the cylinder is reduced to a breathable pressure via a pressure reducer. Supply valve for the compressed air, to be either fully on or fully off. Check this valve while working at times as it could be turned off slowly when maneuvering in tight areas where the valve suffer from knocks. Facemask is fitted with inner mask to reduce possibility of fogging. Wearer is to don facemask in

Main Cylinder Valve

Face Mask

2. Parts & Specifications


Lung Demand Valve
To be fitted to the facemask to supply safe and breathable air to the wearer. Comes with a bypass button for use when more air is needed. Ensure lung demand valve is fitted properly into the slot on the facemask. The pressure gauge shows the amount of compressed air left in the Air Cylinder whereas the warning whistle is used as an indication to the wearer when Air Cylinder pressure drops below 55 bar into the red zone where contents of Cylinder is only limited to 10 minutes of usage.

Working Pressure Gauge and Warning Whistle

2. Parts & Specifications


Type Cylinder Content Pressure Full Duration Working Duration Safety Margin Weight Whistle Setting : Open Circuit Set : 6 litres : 200 bars : 30 mins : 20 mins (Operational Zone above 55bar) : 10 mins (Red zone 55bar and below) : kg : 55 bar

2. Parts & Specifications


Factors affecting Consumption Rate
Fitness level of wearer Difficulty in maneuvering in constrained and tight area Weather condition Adaptability in donning of BA set Note: Working capacity of air cylinder varies considerably according to wearers lung capacity and amount of work done.
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3. Visual Inspection
Face Mask Head Harness Lens
Rubber deterioration, cracks, tears, holes, tackiness. Missing straps, loss of elasticity, buckles deformed. Cracks, loss of tightness to face piece. Cuts, cracks, abrasions, wrinkles, loose or inoperative connections.
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Hoses

4. SCBA Donning Procedure


Cylinder Valve

Pressure at 170-200bar
Shoulder Straps

1.

Place the breathing apparatus in a vertical position, with cylinder valve face down and loosen shoulder straps as much as possible.

2.

Perform Pressure Gauge Test. Fully turn on main supply valve. Check pressure gauge and ensure pressure is around 200bar, at least between 170 to 200bar. Change to another BA set if does not meet minimum pressure.

4. SCBA Donning Procedure

Whistle

No drop in pressure 3. 4. Perform Pressure Drop Test. Off the Main Cylinder Valve and monitor the pressure gauge. The pressure should maintain and should not drop more than 10bar/minute. Leakage is present if pressure drop is more than 10bar/minute. Change to another BA set and send damage set for repair. Perform Whistle Test. With the Main Supply Valve switched off, slowly purge the air by pressing the Lung Demand Valve and monitor the pressure gauge as the air is released. The whistle should start to sound when the pressure reach the red zone (about 55bar) as indicated on the pressure gauge. 10

4. SCBA Donning Procedure

OR
Shoulder Straps 5. Place breathing 5. apparatus on the back by passing the first arm through the shoulder strap, follow by the second arm. Grab the back plate by the carrying handle with both hands and carefully lift the BA set over and behind your head. Both elbows should go through shoulder straps. 6. Waist Belt Adjust shoulder straps by pulling down on the strap ends until the BA set is suspended comfortably between your shoulders and fasten and tighten the Waist belt.
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4. SCBA Donning Procedure

7.

Loosen all the mask straps by tinkering the straps and use both hands to open up the face mask. Pull the face mask over the head and let it rest comfortably.

8.

Tighten the two lower mask straps by pulling it backwards and outwards. Then tighten the two upper mask straps. If necessary, adjust the top strap to ensure no leak is present.
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4. SCBA Donning Procedure

Pressure Gauge

Main Cylinder Valve 9. Check the mask for leaks by taking a deep breath while sealing the Air Klic coupling with the hand. The mask should fit tightly to the face. Turn fully on the main cylinder valve and check the pressure gauge again, ensure it is between 170 to 200 bar. 10. Fit lung demand valve into the face mask coupling, you should hear a click sound to ensure lung demand valve is fitted in. Wearer should be able to breathe normally. Again check the mask for leaks. To do so, stop breathing and make sure that no 13 leaking sound is heard.

4. SCBA Donning Procedure

Main Cylinder Valve 11. Perform Leakage Test Create a small gap on the facemask by lifting the mask at one side using 2 fingers. Air from the lung demand valve should be gushing out to supply more air. If there is no additional air gushing out, change to another BA set and send damage set for repair. 12. Perform Vacuum Test. Turn off the main cylinder valve. Without any air supply, the mask should be sucked in when wearer breathe in hard. This is to confirm there is no leakage in the facemask. If wearer still able to breathe normally, check facemask for leakage.
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4. SCBA Donning Procedure


14. With no leak and BA set donned, wearer is ready for operation.

NOTE: Do check main cylinder valve at times to ensure it is not turned off due to knocking while maneuvering. 13. In the event of a leak, readjust the mask straps. If leak persists, have the breathing apparatus checked.

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4. SCBA Donning Procedure


Special Protective Suit and footwear should be worn for entering corrosive/toxic environment (gases or splashing of Chemicals)

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Summary of 5 Test
Before Putting on BA set
Visual Check
Test 1 to 3 Pressure Gauge Test to check capacity >170 bar -action - open main valve

After Putting on BA
Test 4 to 5 Face Mask Positive Pressure Test to check no outside air leak into your mask action use 2 fingers and to lift the mask and ensure air gush out.

Pressure Drop Test to check piping

and joints has no leak- action - close main valve see drop < 10 bar per min

Face Mask Vacuum Test to check no

Whistle Test to check low alarm is

leakage in the face mask action close main valve and ensure mask is suck inwards.

working action - close main valve and depress lung demand valve

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TIP from OHS


All gear should be ready, set head & temple strap 2
inch. Just need to pull chine strap it fit faster. Store cylinder upright so water vapor can purge out. Check >160 bar (80 %) Pressure drop and whistle test OK Mask check, wriggle to fit better Out of breath, do 5 deep breath abd hold each for 5 seconds to flush yourself with oxygen. Comb procedure, sweep hand and stamp left leg then walk, follow by right hand/leg. Entrapment sit down, rest and tap wall to sound alarm slowly.

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5. Additional Notes
SCBA equipment are placed in either a carrying bag in ES Lab
(N3.1-B3M-01) or in a cabinet in PEN Centre (N3-B4c-03).

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5. Additional Notes
Servicing of SCBA set is to be done every half year after every
practice or after being used to make sure they are operational ready. Jun/Dec practice Top up for next practice or use

Contact the below vendor to obtain quotation for all Fenzy


SCBA consumables and top-up. Noah Agencies N Marine Services Pte Ltd 20 Tuas Avenue 3 Singapore 639416 Tel : 6266 0788 Fax : 6266 1042

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