Note: This NFPA specification is offered as a guide only and is not intended to replace the up to date specification from NFPA.

  Please contact NFPA for a complete copy of the current specification

Breathing Air Quality for Fire and Emergency Services Respiratory Protection

 

Definitions

Breathing Air.  A respirable gas mixture derived from either normal atmospheric air or from manufactures synthetic air, stored in a compressed state in storage cylinders and respirator breathing air cylinders, and supplied to the user in a gaseous form.

ppm .  Part per million, volume per volume.

SAR.  Supplied Air Respirator.  An atmosphere-supplying respirator for which the source of the breathing air is not designed to be carried by the user.  Also known as an “airline respirator”.

SCBA. Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus.  An atmosphere-supplying respirator that supplies a respirable atmosphere to the user from a breathing air source that is independent of the ambient environment and designed to be carried by the user.

Synthetic Breathing Air.  A manufactured breathing air that is produced by blending nitrogen and oxygen.

Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health program

NFPA 1500

August, 1992

 

5-3 Self contained Breathing Apparatus.

5-3.7 Compressed gaseous air in the SCBA cylinder shall meet the requirements of ANSI/CGA G7.1, Commodity Specification for Air, with a minimum air quality Grade D, as well as meeting a dew point level of -65 degrees Fahrenheit (-54  degrees Celsius) or dryer (24 PPM v/v or less) and a maximum particulate level of 5 mg/m air.

5-3.7.1 When the fire department purchases compressed breathing air in a vendor supplied cylinder, the fire department shall require the vendor to provide certification and documentation that the breathing air has been tested and that it meets the requirements of 5-3.7 of this section.  The vendor shall provide documentation to demonstrate that the laboratory is accredited by the American Industrial Hygiene Association, the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation, or the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation program.

5-3.7.2 When a fire department makes it own breathing air or transfers purchased breathing air from vendor cylinders into other storage cylinders, the air quality from compressors, cascade system cylinders, storage receivers and other such breathing air manufacturing or storage equipment used for filling SCBA cylinders shall be tested at least every three months by a laboratory accredited by the American Industrial Hygiene Association, the American Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program to certify that the breathing air meets the requirements of 5-3.7 of this section.

 

Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health program

NFPA 1404

August, 1989

7-1 Air Quality Control

7-1.1 Air for SCBA taken from the regular production of a compressor and storage system shall meet the testing and quality requirements of the Compressed Gas Association G7.1 Commodity Specification for Air, with a minimum air quality of Grade D and a maximum dew point of -65 degrees Fahrenheit (.54 degrees Celsius)

7-1.2 Air quality shall be tested at least every three months (3) by a qualified laboratory.  Test samples shall be obtained from the regular production of the compressor and storage systems.  Immediate notification from the testing entity of air not meeting the specifications of the authority having jurisdiction shall be required.

7-1.3 Records shall be maintained for each air quality test.  If required air quality is not being achieved, the use of the system shall be discontinued until repairs are made and verified by testing.

7-1.4 Any air cylinders that were filled with air that is suspected of not meeting air quality standards shall be emptied and purged.

7-2 Recharging air cylinders

7-2.1 The air cylinders of all SCBA shall be maintained at not less than 90 percent of the rated pressure stamped on the cylinder.  Cylinders having less than 90 percent of their rated pressure shall be segregated form full cylinders until they are refilled.

7-2.2 SCBA Cylinders shall be refilled only with approved breathing quality air as specified in Section 7-1 of this standard.

7-2.3 Written policies shall be established to ensure that air is obtained only from a source that meets the requirements of Section 7-1 of this standard.  Refilling shall be conducted by qualified personnel using proper equipment and procedures.

7-2.4 Air cylinders shall be filled only by personnel who have been trained on the proper procedures and equipment.

7-2.5 The proper operating procedures and safety precautions shall be posed in a conspicuous location at the fill station.

7-2.6 Personnel assigned to operate fill station equipment shall visually inspect all cylinders before filling.  Cylinders that do not meet the manufacturers requirements due to defects or damage, or that have not met hydrostatic test requirements, shall be left unfilled and removed from service.

7-2.7 All air cylinders shall be refilled according to the manufacturer's instructions.

7-2.8 When a breathing air compressor system, mobile or fixed, is used , it shall be located in an area where the air is free from contamination.

7-2.9 The authority having jurisdiction shall have the ability to support emergency scene operations of extended duration by providing a reserve supply of air for SCBA.

7-2.10 Mobile breathing air compressor systems shall be equipped with monitoring equipment to detect carbon monoxide contamination and an automatic shut-down device that activates when the contraction of carbon monoxide exceeds the limits of Grade D air, 10-PPM.

7-2.11 All breathing air compressors shall have the air quality tested as required by 7-1.2 of this standard.

7-2.12 Equipment used to produce compressed air for SCBA shall be inspected and maintained according to the manufacturer's instructions.

7-2.13 All filter and other components of air purification systems shall be inspected and maintained and changed according to the manufacturer's instructions.

7-2.14 A record shall be maintained for each air compressor, fill station, cascade cylinder, purification system, and related equipment used to produce and store air for SCBA. The record shall indicate the date of purchase, location, inspection , maintenance and testing of the device.

* Copyright by National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy MA 02269