Ensuring the safety and effectiveness of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatuses (SCBAs) for first responders is paramount, particularly in hazardous environments where the reliability of these devices can mean the difference between life and death.
Central to this reliability is the proper functioning of breathing machines used in the testing, certification and recertification of SCBAs, as mandated by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
This paper delves into the specific requirements that these breathing machines must meet under NFPA standards, highlighting their critical role in the certification process.
We will explore the connection between the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and NFPA standards, examine current technologies and detail the NFPA’s stringent testing requirements.
Additionally, we will introduce ISO 16900, a standard that provides pathways for verifying and validating the performance of breathing machines.
This paper will shed light on how these standards and technologies work together to ensure that SCBAs perform reliably in the most demanding and dangerous conditions faced by first responders.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has established criteria (42CFR84) that SCBAs must meet to be approved for use in environments containing Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) agents.
Among these criteria is the requirement for mandatory compliance with NFPA 1981.
Certification under NFPA 1981 ensures that an SCBA meets rigorous standards for flame resistance, heat tolerance and other critical factors essential for first responders during emergency incidents, including terrorist attacks.
There are specific provisions within the NFPA standards that pertain to the initial certification testing of SCBAs as well as the continuing certification of SCBAs and particular breathing machine requirements.
While the OSHA 1910.134 regulations are stringent, they are not directly applicable to firefighting.
OSHA itself acknowledges this, stating that its regulations do not extend to state, municipal, or volunteer fire departments.
The NFPA has developed a consensus standard that is voluntarily followed by fire departments – NFPA 1500.
NFPA 1981-2019 specifies the minimum requirements for the design, performance, testing and certification of new SCBAs.
It also covers the requirements for replacement parts, which must comply with earlier editions of the standard.
The scope of NFPA 1981 applies to all open-circuit SCBAs used by emergency service organizations for respiratory protection.
The standard emphasizes that all tests must be conducted in accordance with NFPA instructions, not based on manufacturer recommendations.
Additionally, Chapter 5 mandates that SCBAs be labeled as compliant with NFPA 1981 and Section 5.2.6 requires that training materials be consistent with NFPA 1500.
NFPA 1500 addresses firefighter safety, including respiratory protection.
It specifies that SCBAs used in potentially Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) environments must be certified as compliant with NFPA 1981.
Additionally, NFPA 1500 requires SCBAs to be maintained in accordance with NFPA 1852.
NFPA 1852 provides guidelines for the selection, care and maintenance of SCBAs.
This document is intended for organizations using SCBAs to protect their personnel and complements the respiratory protection program required by NFPA 1500.
Key provisions include:
7.5.1: SCBAs must be tested at least annually on a breathing machine that meets the requirements specified in 7.5.5 and 7.5.6.
7.5.4: All testing equipment must be calibrated according to the manufacturer’s instructions, with calibration performed at least annually.
7.5.5: The breathing machine shall be capable of performing the tests listed in Table 7.5.2.
7.5.6: The breathing machine shall be capable of meeting the specifications in Table 7.5.6(a) and Table 7.5.6(b).
An item of note, tables .6 a and b are specific wave forms that are used in NFPA 1981 for the certification of NFPA SCBAs.
Calibration of breathing machines involves verifying the performance of individual components and performance of the unit in totality.
NFPA 1852 aligns with ISO 16900, which provides pathways to verify and validate breathing machines.
The simple breathing machine simulates the human inhalation and exhalation function using environmental air and, typically, sinusoidal breathing patterns.
The ISO 16900 details requirements that these machines must meet.
Examples include leak tightness – the machine must not decay more than 0.1 kPa (0.014 psi) in 1 minute from a pressure of 2.0 kPa (0.29 psi).
Leak tight systems are essential to measuring respirator performance pressures.
Using the ISO orifices identifies whether the breathing machine can produce acceptable, repeatable and accurate testing results.
Having independent, standards-based means to verify that a machine is functioning properly is necessary for accurate testing and avoids comments like: “Mind that for a continuously moving unit, like units that are constantly on the road, values may vary with time even though they are still within specifications.
As long as the results are still in tolerance the (sic)should be no issue… This is due the movement affects the mechanics of the POSI unit like the rods of the below (sic) moved by the motor”.
The reliability and safety of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatuses (SCBAs) are crucial for the protection of firefighters and other first responders operating in life-threatening environments.
This paper has highlighted the vital role that breathing machines play in the rigorous testing and certification processes mandated by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
By adhering to the stringent requirements of NFPA 1981, 1500 and 1852 and aligning with international standards such as ISO 16900, the industry ensures that SCBAs perform consistently and effectively under the most demanding conditions.
Breathing NFPA or Sinusoidal wave forms present additional challenges to testing results.
As an example, recent testing using ISO orifice “B” demonstrated the following: NFPA 103 (3.4 L x 30 BPM) wave form: 3.35 inWg exhale, -3.34 inWg inhale; Sinusoidal (3.4 L x 30 BPM): 5.19 inWg exhale, -5.21 inhale.
Additionally, the difference in wave forms also presents different instantaneous flow rates and these flow rates affect the results of the SCBA being tested.
Addressing these issues is not just about compliance; it’s about safeguarding the lives of those who rely on these devices in their most critical moments.
Through continuous improvement and strict adherence to these standards, we can advance the safety and effectiveness of respiratory protection for first responders.
Ensuring that breathing machines deliver accurate and reliable performance is not just a technical requirement – it is a critical component of the broader mission to protect those who protect us.
