The enhancement needs of SCBA face pieces is currently being studied jointly by the USFA and NIST, according to a press release.
The study use both laboratory and operational testing to examine ways to enhance the thermal performance of the device's face piece in order to increase the protection offered to firefighters.
The initial phase of the study will focus on documented injuries and fatalities of firefighters due to thermal exposure to the component. The organization will work alongside NFPA technical committee on 1981 -- Open-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus -- to develop ways to strengthen their performance.
"There have been incidents of serious SCBA face piece failure, sufficient to warrant this important study," U.S. Fire Administrator Kelvin J. Cochran said in a statement. "There is a clear need to examine ways to strengthen the protection provided by SCBA face pieces used by the fire service, before others are injured."
Firehouse.com will provide more information on this study as it becomes available.
