Using Interspiro...Should I be afraid?

[FORTff]

The Air Force still uses them, they are horrendous. Interspiro has got to be the worst SCBA out there....at least that I've seen/used.

I'm a big big scott fan. The AF has just signed a contract with MSA though. I'm sure that'll take the better part of a decade though before it manages to work its way through the entire AF.

[evfd3100]

We bought some used Interspiro packs from a neighboring department many many years ago. For the most part they were OK, but we did start running into some problems with them on the fireground. I think they mostly just started showing their age. We switched to MSA's Firehawk system w/ all the bells and whistles with our AFG05 grant. I don't think we'll ever switch from MSA. From everyone I talk to, it seems like Interspiro is slowly dying off.

[CpaceEng1]

I see a lot of negative comments on here about Interspiro BA's, but no real reasons. If your going to criticize something how about given some reasons. Example (mask fit, bulky pack,poor gauge design) Like I said before I've used Interspiro for the past 8 years with no failures in a fire. I used scott for 5 years before that and rangers 3 years before that.Never a failure with any of them. I personally don't care who makes it as long as it does it's job.

[backsteprescue123]

I have only worn Scott's, MSA, and Survair, but I can say that in my experience I like the MSA's better than anything.

Keep in mind.... I'm NO EXPERT!

[ehs7554]

I see a lot of negative comments on here about Interspiro BA's, but no real reasons. If your going to criticize something how about given some reasons. Example (mask fit, bulky pack,poor gauge design) Like I said before I've used Interspiro for the past 8 years with no failures in a fire. I used scott for 5 years before that and rangers 3 years before that.Never a failure with any of them. I personally don't care who makes it as long as it does it's job.

Maybe you didn't read this:
http://cms.firehouse.com/content/art...Id=46&id=49526

http://cms.firehouse.com/content/art...Id=12&id=48365
http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache...s&ct=clnk&cd=1
http://www.woai.com/news/local/story...F-3B811E526574
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/met....1743de4e.html

[CpaceEng1]

ehs7554

Maybe you should have read my post on page one.

[Bones42]

We have had some minor problems with the InterSpiros over the years. No failures to report. (That I know of)

Based on this, no, you should not be afraid.

[ehs7554]

I see a lot of negative comments on here about Interspiro BA's, but no real reasons.

I read it and I posted REAL reasons through articles I found. And because San Antonio is a relatively large dept who uses their SCBA's regularly, I would imagine that is a pretty good test scenerio for the product in question.

[CpaceEng1]

ehs 7554

I see so you have no REAL experince with using the SCBA. But you read articles about it. Now I understand.

[Bones42]

and I never jumped off the top of a 65 floor building onto concrete either, but I know it's a bad idea.

[CALFFBOU]

Based on this, no, you should not be afraid.

I am because of the history I have read and San Anton's current issues.

[ehs7554]

Good firemen...thanks for the back-up and being able to learn from others mistakes and or problems.

[mmsafd]

Scott's should be here any day now. Hurry up!!!!

http://www2.mysanantonio.com/multime...m?videos=38379

By the way it is not just us. With the exeption of the Military I believe we are their largest customer. Therfore more units that get used/greater possibility of failure. There have been many other depts reporting failures across the country with Interspiro. It is funny how we are no longer listed on their customer page.

http://www.interspiro-us.com/

[pfd4life]

Is it just me, or is anybody else seeing a lot of BA Failures? Scott NxGen2, Interspiro....maby it is time to take all the damn extra bells and whistles off, and gimme the air. No CBRNE, HAZMAT, MICKEY MOUSE *****, just the air and a PASS. JMHO......

It's all you need, if I had my choice, I would take the old wireframe Scott BA's, an AV2000 and a composite bottle, I doubt a lighter and more comfortable pack can be found IMO.

[mmsafd]

They showed up on Saturday. Just a few more days now.

http://www.woai.com/mediacenter/defa...video.woai.com


http://www.woai.com/mediacenter/defa...video.woai.com


http://www.woai.com/news/local/story...5-834156034597

[SAFD46Truck]

our air pack maintenace guy states there is more to the story than meets the eye.

Actually, no...there isn't. These BA's have been a complete disaster and we are lucky noone (civilian or department) has been seriously injured or killed due to them. The failures have been thoroughly tracked and documented. I have seen the equipment fail in person, ON the fireground. If you and your SCBA guy are looking for an "agenda" here, well we have one....S-A-F-E-T-Y. Good luck with your packs.

[CpaceEng1]

SAFD46TRUCK

Sorry, no agenda here,just repeating what our airpack maitenance guy told me when I asked him about our packs. I hope the next round of packs work better for you.

[ffexpCP]

Is Interspiro the ones with the automatic (no manual valve) bypass in it?

[CpaceEng1]

Ours have manual bypass valves.

[Bones42]

I've never heard of a SCBA with an automatic bypass. Anyone have more info on that?