Breathing Apparatus

The Purpose of Breathing Apparatus

is to enable a wearer to survive in
at atmosphere which would not
otherwise support life
Gaseous Atmospheres
Fire situations
Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres

Breathing Apparatus
There are three main types:

Full Duration 30 - 60 Minutes

Escape Type 6 - 15 Minutes

Airline ( Air loop) Unlimited
Breathing Apparatus
Full Duration - Positive Pressure

Main Parts Cylinder
Back Plate or Harness
Reducer / Regulator
Face Mask
Breathing Apparatus
Design Features
Must pass at least 40litres of air per minute
(Theoretical average consumption)
Provision for the removal of CO
2
Ability to increase the air supply
Pressure Gauge to read cylinder contents
Breathing Apparatus
Duration
Full Duration - from start up to empty

Working Duration - from start up until
low pressure warning
device operates
Safety Margin - from warning device
operating till empty
Breathing Apparatus
You have a standard size (9liter)
cylinder, filled to a pressure of
180 bar.
How long is your working
duration?
Breathing Apparatus
Working Duration =
Contents of cylinder in litres - Safety Margin
40 (Average Consumption per minute)

Safety Margin = 10 minutes.
Consumption can vary from 19.7 to 132 liters per
minute.

Breathing Apparatus
Contents (liter) =
Pressure (Bar) X Water Capacity (Liters)

Water Capacity is typed on the cylinder:
6.0 for a 1200 litre cylinder
8.0 for a 1600 cylinder
9.0 for a 1800 litre cylinder
Contents = 180 (bar) X 9.0 = 1620 (liters)
Breathing Apparatus
Working Duration =
Contents of cylinder in litres - Safety Margin
40
Working Duration = 1620(liters) - 10(minutes)
40 (liters/minute)
= 40.5 - 10(minutes)
= 30.5 minutes
During an emergency rescue, the consumption can be
130liters/min, resulting in a working duration of
ONLY 12.5 minutes
Breathing Apparatus
Donning Procedure
Don apparatus, adjust shoulder & waste straps
Don the face mask loosely, crack open cylinder valve,
tighten and adjust face mask, open cylinder valve fully.
Inhale 2-3 times, Check for positive pressure, Close
cylinder valve inhale until air is exhausted (Keep Hand on
Cylinder Valve during this operation), Check low
pressure device. Check for air tight seal
Open Cylinder valve fully
Breathing Apparatus
Escape Type Sets
These are used for escape purposes only.
Duration depends on contents of cylinder
Range of 6 - 15 Minutes
Normally 10 min. 400 litres
There is no low pressure warning device.
Breathing Apparatus
Escape Set - Donning Procedure
Fresh Air
Check Pressure Gauge
Support Set
Turn on Cylinder Valve if fitted
Don Face Mask Adjust Head Harness
Turn on Positive Pressure Switch (if fitted)



Breathing Apparatus
Escape Set - Donning Procedure
Toxic Atmosphere
Check Pressure Gauge
Turn on Cylinder Valve if fitted
Ensure Positive Pressure Switch is on
Don Face Mask Adjust Head Harness
Support Set


Breathing Apparatus
Airline Equipment
This type of Breathing Apparatus is used where
the wearer needs to work in an area for long
periods of time.
Trolley Mounted
Trailer mounted
Fixed System - Air Loop

Breathing Apparatus
Airline Equipment

Air Supply can
be cylinders or a
fixed compressor
Drill Floor
Air Loop
Breathing Apparatus
Search Procedure
Formulate a Plan
Work as a team (Minimum Two)
Communication
Distinguishing Features
Use back of hand, shuffle feet.
Is it Safe?
Breathing Apparatus
Buddy System
Any work to be carried out in a hazardous area
must be done using the buddy system
Worker & Observer
IMPORTANT
No person should enter an area where H
2
S is
present on their own
Emergency Response
Rescue Plan for H
2
S Emergency
Assess the situation
Number of rescuers
Location of victims
Number of victims
Other Hazards

Emergency Response
Rescue - Assess the Situation
Gather Information
Weather
Time of Day
Assistance Required
Medical
Specialised Equipment (H
2
S Emergency Kit)

Emergency Response
Rescue Other Hazards

Fire
Explosion
Emergency Response
Rescue
Don Full Duration Breathing Apparatus
Remove victim immediately to fresh air
Administer medical aid
Request Medical assistant
Keep Victim Warm
Do not leave unattended

Emergency Procedure
While working at the work site should you smell H
2
S
or a detection system is activated:
Dont Panic
Hold your breath
Don Breathing Apparatus if available
If Not
Leave the area immediately (upwind or cross-wind)
Do not attempt to rescue
Report to emergency station