HomeMy WebLinkAboutSOG 601.02 REVISED 3-2011-SCBA-PASS601.02 - Selection, Care & Maintenance of SCBA/PASS
Effective: 12/20/2005
Revised: 3/5/2011
Replaces: UOG 602.01
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I. Guiding PhilosophX
SCBA/PASS devices are provided to safeguard members from injury while on the job.
Individually and organizationally, we strive to select, properly inspect and maintain the personal
protective equipment that is provided so that the risks associated with the job are minimized.
II. Purpose
The purpose of this guideline is to establish a system to provide care and maintenance to
SCBA/PASS devices, and to set standards for the maintenance of these items. The system is
intended to insure that personnel are provided with standard breathing equipment that is properly
cared for and maintained in a safe operating condition.
III. Goals
The goals of the system detailed in this policy are to:
A. Provide SCBA/PASS devices that are suitable and appropriate for their intended
use.
B. Maintain SCBA/PASS devices in a safe, usable condition to provide the intended
protection for the user.
C. Remove from use any SCBA/PASS device that could cause or contribute to user
injury, illness, or death because of its condition.
D. Recondition, repair or retire such SCBA/PASS devices.
IV. Definitions
A. Care - procedures for cleaning, decontamination and storage of protective
clothing and equipment.
B. CBRN - the acronym for chemical, biological, radioactive, and nuclear.
Commonly used to refer to incidents or weapons in which any of these four
hazards is present.
C. Contamination/Contaminated - the process by which protective clothing or
equipment has been exposed to hazardous materials, body fluids, or Chemical,
Biological, Radiological, or Nuclear (CBRN) agents; for the purposes of this
document, "contaminated" is defined as being exposed to contaminants or
hazardous materials in greater than acceptable quantities.
D. Cross -Contamination - the transfer of contamination from one item to another
or to the environment.
E. EOSTI — End of Service Time Indicator
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F. Fully Charted - an SCBA cylinder filled to greater than 90% or the NIOSH
rated service pressure.
G. In -Service - ready for immediate use.
H. Maintenance - procedures for inspection, repair and removal from service of
protective clothing and equipment.
I. NIOSH - National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health.
J. NFPA - National Fire Protection Association.
K. PASS - Personal Alert Safety System device.
L. PPE - Personal Protective Equipment. For the purposes of this policy, PPE means
the complete SCBA and PASS device.
M. Retirement - the process of permanently removing a SCBA/PASS device or
related components from service.
N. Routine Cleaning - the light cleaning of SCBA/PASS elements performed by the
end user without taking the elements out of service.
O. SCBA - Self -Contained Breathing Apparatus.
P. Soiled/Soiling - the accumulation of materials that are not considered hazardous
materials, body fluids, or CBRN terrorism agents but that could degrade the
performance of the equipment.
Q. Specialized Cleaning - cleaning to remove hazardous materials or body fluids.
R. Technician - an individual qualified and authorized by the compliant product
manufacturer to provide specified care and maintenance to the product and
perform inspection, repair and testing beyond the level classified as end-user
repair.
S. TCFP - Texas Commission on Fire Protection.
T. Universal Precautions - an approach to infection control in which human blood
and certain human body fluids are treated as if known to be infectious for HIV,
HBV, and other blood-borne pathogens.
U. Utility Sink - a separate sink used for cleaning ensembles and ensemble
elements.
V. Protecting the Public and Personnel from Contamination
A. The public shall not be exposed at any time, except during emergency operations,
to soiled or potentially contaminated protective equipment.
B. Soiled or potentially contaminated protective equipment shall not be worn,
cleaned or stored in the living areas of Department facilities.
C. Washing SCBA/PASS or related components in sinks located in areas for food
preparation, personal hygiene, sleeping, and living is strictly prohibited
VI. Recordkeegina & Work Orders
A. The following records shall be maintained for each SCBA/PASS/Air
Cylinder/Face Piece:
1. Apparatus/Unit/Member to whom the equipment was issued
2. Date and condition when issued
3. Manufacturer and model name or design
4. Manufacturer's identification number, lot number, or serial number
5. Month and year of manufacture
6. Date(s) and findings of advanced inspection(s) or test dates
7. Date(s) and findings of advanced cleaning or decontamination
8. Reason for advanced cleaning or decontamination and who performed the
service
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9. Date(s) of repair(s), who performed the repair(s), and a brief description of
the repair(s)
10. Date of retirement
11. Date and method of disposal
B. Documentation of Inspections/Testing/Repairs/Retirement
1. Routine Inspections
a. Daily (Weekly for Haz Mat 68 and Water Response Units)
inspections WILL be documented in Firehouse per this policy.
b. After use inspections WILL NOT be documented in Firehouse
unless a problem is found. If a problem is discovered, a work order
shall be generated in Firehouse per this policy.
2. Annual Inspections, Fit, Flow & Hydrostatic Testing will be documented
in Firehouse by the SCBA Technician completinthe inspection/test/repair
or receiving the test reports.
a. The SCBA Technician will insure that Adobe .PDF files are
generated of the reports for all tests performed on each SCBA, air
cylinder or component.
b. The Adobe .PDF file will be given a standard naming convention
that includes a unique equipment identifier, test date and a pass or
fail status. Exam le: S(,'BA 12.14 --PA .,__ 6- . -2016®p )
c. The SCBA Technician will insure that face piece sizes determined
during fit testing are routed to the Fire Administrator for
entry/update in the Firehouse Staff Module.
C. SCBAIPASS-related work orders will be reported, corrected and documented as
follows (Work Order Procedure):
1. Problems noted during an inspection that can be remedied at the user level
should be performed to restore the SCBA/PASS or components to proper
condition.
2. When the deficiency cannot be corrected by the user and repair is
necessary, the user will complete the following procedure:
a. Notify the Station Captain of the problem.
b. The Station Captain will insure that a work order is generated in
Firehouse.
c. The work order number and a short explanation of the problem
will be written on a tag.
d. The tag will be attached to the unit.
e. The Station Captain will insure that the unit is delivered to Station
1 for repair. Since SCBA/PASS relate directly to firefighter safety,
repair or temporary replacement of deficient SCBA/PASS is
considered a high priority work order and should be processed
immediately.
3. When a repair has been completed or when an item has been
retired/disposed of, the SCBA Technician completing the work will insure
that the details concerning the repair/retirement/disposal and completion
of the work order is entered in Firehouse.
D. TCFP Statutory Requirements
1. EACHINDIVIDUAL must document that he/she performed a daily
inspection of the SCBA/PASS device assigned to him/her each shift. The
Deputy Chiefis responsible for periodically auditing records to insure this
SOG 601.02 — Selection Care & Maintenance of SCBA/PASS Page 3 of 9
inspection occurs and is being properly documented by those on his/her
shift.
2. Breathing Air Cylinder Re -fill Documentation:
a. The Breathing Air Cylinder Fill Loi will be completed every time
a cylinder is refilled, whether at Fire Station #1 or on the incident
scene by the member filling the cylinder. Logs will be located at
Station #1 and on Truck 74 for this purpose.
b. The Driver/Operator assigned to Truck 74 is responsible for
entering the refills performed during the shift in Firehouse. All
entries will be completed prior to the end of his/her tour of duty
each morning. The member entering the information will initial the
Breathing Air Cylinder Fill Loi in the space provided to indicate
the entry has been completed.
c. The Station Captain is responsible for periodically auditing the
Firehouse entries for accuracy.
VII. Selection and Use
A. All SCBA purchased shall be of open circuit, positive pressure design and shall
comply with applicable standards that exist at the time of purchase.
B. Air cylinders shall be a minimum of 45 minute duration.
C. Automatic on air activation PASS device will be integrated within the system.
D. SCBA/PASS shall be used in accordance with SOG 303.04 Use of
PPE/SCBA/PASS.
E. All personnel shall receive initial and annual refresher training in the proper use
of SCBA/PASS.
VIII. Inspections
A. All Inspections
1. Universal precautions shall be used, as appropriate, when handling PPE,
including SCBA/PASS and related components.
2. Equipment that is found to be soiled or contaminated shall be cleaned or
decontaminated before an inspection is initiated.
3. Where ensemble elements are found to be contaminated by CBRN agents,
the ensemble shall be retired from service.
4. All inspections will be documented in accordance with Section VI of this
policy.
5. Chief*and Company Officers are responsible for insuring that members
under their supervision properly inspect, care for (including appropriate
documentation), and use SCBA/PASS and components as outlined in
policy. Officers shall be accountable for non-compliance by members
under their supervision.
B. Routine Inspections
1. All SCBA/PASS assigned to front line apparatus shall be inspected and
documented by the member filling the position for which the
SCBA/PASS is assig-ned. This daily inspection will be completed and
documented at the beginning of each shift. (TCFP mandated)
2. The Driver/Operator assigned to the apparatus is responsible for
performing and documenting the daily inspection of any unassigned
SCBA/PASS.
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3. The Station Captain is responsible for insuring the daily inspection and
documentation of SCBA/PASS assigned to ready reserve apparatus is
completed.
4. Inspection of SCBA/PASS assigned to HazMat 68 will be performed
weekly in conjunction with the weekly inventory check and prior to each
use. The Station Captain is responsible for insuring this is completed.
5. The Daily Inspection) shall include checking the:
a. Entire unit for deteriorated components
b. Back frame and harness assembly
c. Comparison of cylinder and remote gauges
d. Regulator, hoses, and connectors
e. Face piece lens, straps, and regulator connection
f Check operation of regulator and low pressure alarm/end of service
time indicators and displays, exhalation valves
g. Operation of reducing and bypass valves
h. Cylinder body, valve, gauge, and air pressure (fully charged)
i. Pressure retention in accordance with manufacturers
recommendations
j. Tightness of valves and cylinders
k. Performance of integrated PASS device to manufacturer
specification
1. Speaking diaphragm/voice amplification (where present)
m. EOSTI (where present)
n. Cleaning unit and sanitizing face piece and regulator in accordance
with manufacturer recommendations
o. Properly secure
p. Appropriately documenting the inspection
C. After Use Inspection
1. Each member shall conduct an inspection of his/her SCBA/PASS after
every use.
2. The user is responsible for inspecting the equipment the inspection in
accordance with the Daily Inspection guidelines listed above.
D. Annual Inspections & Testing
1. Shall be performed by manufacturer -certified SCBA/PASS or SCUBA
technicians.
2. Will include inspection, servicing, and testing of SCBA/PASS or SCUBA
in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
Integrated PASS system batteries and other batteries associated with the
unit shall be removed and replaced with fresh batteries as a part of *the
annual testing and service.
IX. Cleanina and Decontamination
A. Cleaning and disinfecting of SCBA/PASS device and components shall be in
accordance with manufacturer's recommendations using only those agents
approved by the manufacturer. The following areas shall be addressed when
cleaning and disinfecting:
1. External surfaces of the SCBA
' NFPA 1852, 7.1.2, 2008 edition
SOG 601.02 — Selection Care & Maintenance of SCBA/PASS Page 5 of 9
2. Face piece, to include cleaning and flushing of the exhalation valve
(Following cleaning, the exhalation valve shall be cycled to assure proper
operation)
3. Second stage regulator (if the internal components have been exposed to
body fluids, exhaled breath, dirt, or debris.)
4. SCBA straps and harness assemblies, when required. Under no
circumstances shall chlorine bleach ever be used to clean straps and
harness assemblies.
5. SCBA cylinder valve assemblies, with special care taken to ensure that the
valve is free of debris. (If debris is present in the burst disc outlet, the
cylinder shall be removed from service.)
6. Pneumatic components
B. Drying of the SCBA/PASS device and components:
1. WILL NOT be performed in direct sunlight or in areas of high heat.
2. Extra care shall be taken in drying pneumatic components to ensure
complete dryness prior to reassembly.
3. Dryness of all SCBA/PASS and components shall be ensured before
storage in a compartment that does not allow for air circulation.
C. Where SCBA/PASS and/or components are suspected of being contaminated, a
work order shall be submitted in Firehouse, the unit shall be tagged out -of -service
and segregated from other equipment and personnel.
1. Tags shall include details of the incident including known and suspected
contaminants and the contaminated unit shall be delivered to Station 1.
2. Contamination tags will be provided at each fire station for this purpose.
3. Decontamination shall be conducted in accordance with the SCBA/PASS
manufacturer's instructions.
4. Where it is determined that the SCBA/PASS or components are
contaminated beyond the ability to decontaminate them and return to
service, the unit shall be retired and disposed of in accordance with this
guideline.
X. Testina and Maintenance
A. Air Quality Testing
1. All breathing air used in SCBA and produced by compressors shall be a
minimum of Grade D or E.
2. Compliance shall be achieved through quarterly sampling and testing of
the air produced by the breathing air compressor. The test reports from
this sampling shall remain on file for a period of not less than five (5)
years.
3. The sampling will be conducted by the authorized independent service
provider, and shall be conducted in compliance with NFPA 1989, 2008
edition, Chapter 5.
4. The breathing air compressor shall be maintained and serviced at least
quarterly to insure optimum operation and air purity.
5. The breathing air compressor shall be operated a minimum of 30
minutes each week, and this operation shall be validated by daily
recording and documentation of the compressor operating hours in the
Firehouse inventory module.
6. The independent service provider shall change oil, replace filters and
otherwise perform maintenance per manufacturer's recommendations.
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7. Air quality test shall be obtained not less than one week prior to, (may
be obtained immediately before the change), and immediately after the
breathing air compressor's air purification filters are changed.
8. Breathing air samples shall be obtained after any repairs or alterations
which could contaminate the breathing air.
B. Hydrostatic Testing and Cylinder Maintenance
1. All steel air cylinders shall be hydrostatically tested every 5 years from the
date of manufacture or from the last hydrostatic test date.
2. All carbon composite cylinders shall be hydrostatically tested every 5
years from the date of manufacture or last hydrostatic test date.
3. All aluminum air cylinders (SCUBA—Water Response) shall be
hydrostatically tested every 5 years from the date of manufacture or from
the last hydrostatic test date.
4. No cylinder shall be used which is out of hydrostatic testing date, or has
exceeded the 15 year service life for carbon composite cylinders.
5. Compressed breathing air stored in steel cylinders, on Truck 74, Truck 1,
Snorkle 7, and Dive 4 shall be emptied at least annually, maintaining a
minimum positive pressure on the depleted cylinder until recharged.
6. Records shall be made and maintained of the filling of all SCBA breathing
air cylinders. The records shall reflect the fill date, identification of person
performing the fill, the cylinder ID or serial number, the breathing air
source, the final cylinder pressure, and the most recent hydrostatic test
date. The fill information shall be documented as soon as possible after
being recorded, and shall be maintained in final form in the Firehouse
inventory module.
C. SCBA Flow Testing
1. All SCBA shall be flow tested annually, and after certain repairs as
required by the manufacturer's specifications.
2. All flow test results shall be recorded in the Firehouse inventory module,
and a copy of the flow test report attached to the maintenance and test
record.
3. The Posicheck Flow testing equipment shall be calibrated annually as
specified by the manufacturer.
D. SCBA Face -piece Fit Testing and Assignment
1. To insure proper sizing for each Grade I through III user within the
Emergency Operations Division, SCBA face -piece fit testing will be
conducted annually and upon assignment by any member to the Division.
The in-house fit testing will be conducted by members of the SCBA
Team. The annual fit testing done in-house will exclude Dive and Hazmat
Team members, and newly hired entry level personnel.
a. Members currently assigned to the Dive Team and Hazmat Team
will receive an SCBA fit test as part of their annual required
physical provided by the City's independent service provider. The
Civil Service Director will forward the fit test information to the
department. If a change of size is revealed by this information, the
Department will take the necessary action to update the assignment
of a properly fitting SCBA face -piece to the Dive and/or Hazmat
Team member.
b. Newly hired entry level personnel assigned to the Emergency
Operations Division will receive an SCBA face -piece fit test as
SOG 601.02 - Selection Care & Maintenance of SCBA/PASS Page 7 of 9
part of their entry level medical physical. The Civil Service
Director will forward the fit test information to the department.
The Department will issue a properly -sized SCBA face -piece to
the entry level member upon assignment to the Division.
2. Ultimately each member Grade I through III assigned to the Emergency
Operations Division will receive, and maintain in their possession a
properly -fitted SCBA face -piece.
3. All personal issued SCBA equipment will be recorded and documented in
the Firehouse staffing module for the member it is assigned to.
4. The individual member shall be responsible for the cost of replacement in
the event that an assigned SCBA face -piece becomes lost, stolen, or is
render unusable due to negligence in care or use by the member.
5. Spectacle kits for the SCBA face -piece will be purchased by the
Department for members who request this modification to their assigned
face -piece. The member will be responsible for the purchase of the
prescription lenses required for the spectacle kit.
A. Storage
A. SCBA/PASS devices shall be stored in their original carrying or storage cases, or
in a wall or apparatus bracket/rack, designed for quick removal and for protection
of the unit.
B. Brackets/racks shall protect the SCBA/PASS and shall be adjusted so they do not
cause physical damage to cylinders, hoses, regulators, or straps.
C. SCBA shall be stored with the cylinder valves closed.
D. Other valves or controls shall be positioned according to manufacturer's
specifications.
E. Face pieces shall be positioned to avoid distortion of parts during storage.
F. All harness straps shall be adjusted to their maximum length during storage.
G. All in-service SCBA cylinders shall be stored fully charged. (Cylinders shall be
topped -off when the pressure falls to 90% of the manufacturer's speci zed
pressure level.) F,i�:pr 45" (Hii m".Ylindler"1111�'
H. A positive pressure shall be maintained in depleted SCBA cylinders by keeping
the valve closed until they are filled to keep external contamination and
condensation out of the cylinder.
I. Spare cylinders shall be stored in a manner that prevents damage to the valve and
cylinder.
XII. Retirement. DISDOSition. and Special Incident Procedure
A. SCBA/PASS and/or components that are worn, damaged, or contaminated and
cost prohibitive to repair shall be retired from service.
B. Retired equipment shall be destroyed or disposed of in a manner assuring that it
will not be used in any firefighting activities, including training.
C. Equipment that is not contaminated, defective, or damaged may be used for
training or other purposes as determined by the Department as long as it does not
involve live fire training.
D. When SCBA/PASS or components are contaminated beyond the ability to
decontaminate so the equipment can be returned to service, the SCBA/PASS or
components shall be disposed of.
1. Contaminated SCBA/PASS or components shall be segregated from other
equipment and personnel, and disposed of in a manner consistent with the
SOG 601.02 — Selection Care & Maintenance of SCBA/PASS Page 8 of 9
type of contamination and any governmental regulations governing
contaminated items.
2. Prior to disposal, contaminated SCBA or components shall be altered in a
manner assuring that they cannot be used for any purpose.
E. Carbon composite cylinders have a service life of 15 years from the manufacture
date shown on the cylinder. When the service life has been reached these
cylinders shall be retired, rendered unusable, and properly disposed of.
F. SCBA/PASS as Evidence
1. In the absence of other prevailing rules of evidence, protective equipment
utilized by personnel that are injured or die in the line of duty shall be
immediately impounded, tagged, and maintained in a secure location with
controlled, documented access, until turned over to investigative
personnel.
2. Fire Investigative personnel on scene shall take possession of the
equipment and insure that the chain of custody is maintained.
3. Review of this equipment shall be by qualified members of the
Department or outside experts.
4. This equipment shall be retained in custody until such time as legal
authorities advise that it may be disposed of.
XII. Proaram Evaluation
A. The department shall annually review this program to determine the need to
upgrade or improve particular areas.
B. The review shall ensure that the guidelines and procedures are being followed,
and make necessary adjustments for the effective operation of the program.
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