Calulating the number of SCBA needed

[NewHampshireFF]

I don't have ready access to the relevant NFPA standard.

Can someone tell me how to calculate the number of SCBA required by the standard? As I recall, it used to be based on seated positions in your apparatus fleet.

Thanks very much.

[BC79er]

If you're on the internet you have ready access. All codes are readable through a proprietary viewer at nfpa.org. 1901 is where the number of SCBA per apparatus is posted, but mainly 1 per seat on the apparatus for pumpers, quints/aerials, medium/heavy rescues, and structurally equipped quick attacks. Tankers aren't normally included in the SCBA count because of their intended usage.

Footnote is that 4 per qualified unit is the minimum, and 12 per department per NFPA 1710/20 so that staffing minimums can be met regardless of having fewer seats than that.

[NewHampshireFF]

I found the standard, thanks.

I'm still unclear about the "special" category. Should I read that as meaning that light rescues and brush trucks also require SCBA?

[BC79er]

Light rescues do per NFPA, brush trucks don't. If you only have 1 pumper and a brush truck you can put the packs on the brush truck and explain that as a neccessary thing for you, but if you have 12 packs going on other trucks they won't give you any based on brush truck seating.