Basic Firefighting: SCBA Review

                     • Should never be more than 100 psi difference. If so, have checked by service

                       personnel

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• Facepiece mount regulators

            • No mainline valve - system is activated by purging facepiece and then inhaling

            • Does not have by-pass valve - system is designed to fail in the open position

            • Purge valve - for purging contaminants from the facepiece

            • Donning switch - shuts off air to facepiece prior to doffing

            • Locking device - to assure regulator to facepiece connection

            • Gasket - sealing regulator to facepiece

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• Facepiece assembly

            • Facepiece - covers/protects the face and provides for inhalation and exhalation

              of low pressure air

           • Exhalation valve - allows exhaled air to leave the facepiece and stops smoke

             and toxic gases from entering facepiece on inhalation

                    • Can sometimes become stuck, preventing exhaled air leaving by way of the

                      exhalation valve; causes air to blow out around the face seal

                    • To correct, try blowing out hard while holding facepiece tight to face

                    • Positive pressure - exhalation valve on the facepiece is equipped with a pressure

                       balancing mechanism - air does not continuously flow, but does maintain a

                       positive pressure inside the facepiece

           • Speaking diaphragm - allows wearer to communicate more clearly

           • Nose cup - deflects exhalation away from lens to prevent fogging

           • Spider or facepiece harness - strap which holds the facepiece firmly against the

             face. Be sure straps are fully extended when putting away (check for wear and

             tear)

 

II. Maintenance and Inspection (1-2)

After Use Maintenance

           • Recharge/replace cylinder if at 90% capacity or less

           • Inspect "O" ring and gasket

           • Inspect facepiece

           • Clean facepiece

                • Submerge in approved cleaner/disinfectant with warm water

                • Rinse in warm water

                • Air dry - do not connect to regulator when low pressure hose is wet

          • Inspect and clean harness

          • Check operation of all gauges and valves

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Cylinder Recharging

          • Secure SCBA cylinder in a fragment proof charging station when possible

          • Connect SCBA to cascade high pressure line

          • Open SCBA valve

          • Open cascade valve with the least pressure, but more than the SCBA pressure

                 • Watch gauges

                 • Cascade cylinders will follow a numerical or other predetermined order.

                   Lowest pressure cylinder corresponds with the lowest numbered cylinder

                 • Never open more than one cascade cylinder at a time - this will cause

                 cylinders to equalize

          • Close valve of cascade cylinder when pressure is equal to SCBA

          • Open valve of cascade cylinder with next highest pressure (next in

            predetermined order) and continue procedure until SCBA is fully charged

          • Shut valves

          • Bleed high pressure line

          • Disconnect SCBA - remove from charging station

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Recommended Daily Inspection and Maintenance