6.3. SR 01-10-1994
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ITEM 6.3.
TO:
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM:
RUSS ANDERSON, FIRE CHIEF
DATE: JANUARY 5, 1994
SUBJECT: SELF CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS
In the 1994 budget, an estimated $24,000 was placed under
Capital Outlay for the replacement of twelve S.C.B.A. units for
our department.
At this time, I am requesting the Council's approval to
research different companies and obtain quotes from them on
this equipment. Quotes obtained would then be presented to the
Council.
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P.O. Box 490 . 13065 Orono Parkway · Elk River, MN 55330 · (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
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INFORMATIONAL MEMO
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Pat Klaers
Russ Anderson
December 10, 1993
S.C.B.A. (Self Contained Breathing
Apparatus) Replacement
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In order to ensure the safety and health of our firefighters
in hazardous atmospheric conditions (heat, smoke, toxic gases
and oxygen deficient conditions), I am requesting replacing
our S.C.B.A. with new improved S.C.B.A. We now use 20 units
and half of these units were rebuilt about 12 years ago to
meet OSHA regulations on positive pressure compliance (constant
flow of air). With the new technology available now, these units
have become obsolete; also, equipment does wear out or deteriorate
to make them unsafe for use. The average life of these units is
about 8 to 10 years.
Because of the training involved in wearing and operating
S.C.B.A., we do not mix brands or styles because they all
operate differently and under physical, stressful and life-
threatening situations, you don't have the time to figure out
which brand you are using. Usually departments replace all
units at the same time, but with the City having financial
concerns, I think we can get by with changing 12 in 1994 and
12 in 1995 (increasing our total to 24 units) and still maintain
safe and workable conditions for members.
I hope this request is not removed from the 1994 budget. I
will attach a copy of our S.C.B.A. program.
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P.O. Box 490 · 13065 Orono Parkway · Elk River, MN 55330 · (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
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1.
Purpose:
ELK RIVER FIRE DEPARTMENT
WRITTEN RESPIRATORY PROTECTION PROGRAM
To provide protection and a working knowledge of the Self
Contained Breathing Apparatus, (herein and after known as
the "SCBA") for each member of the Elk River Fire Department,
when entering work areas with hazardous atmospheres.
II. Hazardous Atmospheres:
There are four (4) basic hazardous atmospheric conditions
that a firefighter may encounter, and they are:
(1) Heat
(2) Smoke
(3) Toxic Gases
(4) Oxygen Deficient
III.
Requirements:
(1)
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A firefighter, or member of the Elk River Fire Department
when entering one of the four hazardous areas listed in
Section II will wear a pressure or pressure demand SCBA.
No other type of respirator will be allowed.
(2)
Firefighters will not remove the SCBA while in one of the
hazardous work areas listed under Section II, unless
authorized by the officer in charge.
(3) Firefighters using the SCBA and working in a hazardous area
as described in Section II will ahve the SCBA in the pressure
position, if the SCBA is a Scott Model II A.
(4) The Elk River Fire Department has all Scott II A and Scott
2.2 SCBA's. The Scott II A is equipped with two modes,
a demand mode and a pressure. The Scott 2.2 is a one mode
mask, and that being a pressure mode only.
(5) Beards will not be allowed. Mustaches and side burns will
be permissible as long as they do not interfere with the
sealing of the face piece.
IV. Ratings & Limitations:
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(1)
(2)
(3)
Cylinders hold 45 cubic feet of air at 2216 PSI.
Cylinders weigh about 31 lbs. when full.
Approved working temperatures of the cylinder is from -25F
to in excess of +160 F.
Fully charged tanks will last approximately 30 minutes under
mild labor conditions and approximately 20 minutes under hard
labor.
(4)
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IV.
Ratings & Limitations (continued)
(5) While wearing a (SCBA) the user will have:
(a) Limited Visibility.
(b) Poor Communications.
(c) Approximately 35 lbs. additional weight to carry.
(d) Be cumbersome.
(6) Duration of the air supply is affected by the following
conditions:
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(a) Physical condition of user.
(b) Degree of physical exertion.
(c) Emotional stability.
(d) Condition of apparatus.
(e) Cylinder pressure before use.
(f) Training and experience.
V. Donning & Operation:
(1) Donning of the SCBA will be in accordance of the Minnesota
State Apprenticeship Program, Firefighter I - II - III,
currently in practice in the Elk River Fire Department.
(3) References will be in accordance to IFSTA Book 108 entitled
Breathing Appartus.
VI. Assignment of SCBA's:
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(1) No one member of the Elk River Fire Department has his own
specific SCBA.
(2) Each man on duty will have a designated position in which
to ride. Each position has respiratory protection available,
either in that position or in a compartment nearby.
(3) Off duty personnel of the Elk River Fire Department respond-
ing to a fire where respiratory protection is needed may
find SCBA's on anyone of the fire trucks.
(4) There is not enough SeBA's in the Elk River Fire Department
for each member. No one should enter a hazardous atmosphere
unprotected.
VII. Cleaning:
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(1) When a SCBA has been placed in use, it shall be cleaned. The
following procedure will be used for cleaning of the units:
(a) Separate the breathing tube and face piece from remainder
of the unit.
(b) Wash face piece and breathing tube in clean disinfectant
or detergent solution.
(c) Rinse completely in clean, warm water.
(d) Air dry in clean area.
(2) While cleaning an SCBA, inspection of the unit will be done at
this time for worn parts or physical damage. If a unit
is found to be defective it is repaired.
(3) After cleaning, inspecting and drying the SCBA, the unit will
be tested for proper operation before being placed back on
the fire truck or trailer for more use.
VIII.
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IX.
X.
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XI.
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Storage
All SCBA's are stored in boxes within compartments, or are mounted
in brackets on the fire truck for easy access.
Weekly Inspections:
(1) Tanks will be inspected each Monday for the following:
(a) Clean.liness
(b) Damage
(c) Gauge Work
(d) Alarm Work
(e) Hose connection work
(f) Face piece seals
(g) Shoulder harnesses and straps
(h) By-pass, main line, and purge valves operational
(i) By-pass, and purge valve closed
(j) Made ready for emergency use
Recharging:
(1) Cylinders shall be checked before recharging for the following:
(a) Evidence of exposure to high heat and flames.
(b) Gauge lens melted, broken or stuck.
(c) Physical damage to cylinder
(d) Retest date is within cylinder limitations.
(e) Amount of pressure the cylinder will hold.
(2) Capacity:
(a) Steel type 3AA cylinders that bear a plus (+) sign after
the latest retest date. may be recharged to a pressure
10% greater than stamped service pressure. A cylinder
stamped 3AA 2015 with a plus (+) sign may be recharged to
2116 PSI. Steel cylinders must be hydrostatically tested
once each 5 years.
(b) Aluminum cylinders bearing DOT exemption E6498-2116 may
be recharged to 2216 PSI. Always check to be sure hydro-
static test date is within five year period and that the
cylinder is properly labeled.
(c) Composite cylinders bearing DOT exemption E7235-2216 may be
recharged to 2216 PSI. Always check to make sure the
hydrostatic test date is within a three year period and
the cylinder is properly labeled.
(d) Filling a cylinder should be done at a rate of less than
1500 PSI per minute. Terminate filling cylinder. when
cylinder reaches service pressure. Always go by the gauge
on the cascade system.
Testing of Cylinders:
(1) All cylinders constructed of metal and fiberglass components
will be tested every three (3) years.
(2) All cylinders that are made of strictly metal components shall
be tested once every five (5) years.
(3) Cylinders that have been used for training or emergency
conditions that show visible damage, such as scorched paint
or gouging in the metal shall be tested before returning to
service.
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(4) All tanks have a date stamped on the tank that indicates
the last test date. No tank will be filled when it exceeds
the limitations listed.
(5) All tanks when sent in to be hydrostatic tested, shall be
sent with no pressure in the tank.
XII. Employees:
(1) All new employees when hired by the City of Elk River to
perform fire fighting duties, shall be trained in the use
of the SCBA and be knowledgeable to hazardous atmospheres
they may encounter.
(2) Employees at the time and date that this policy is instituted,
have been trained in the proper usage of the SCBA and under-
stand this policy, and have indicated so by signing it.
(3) Once each year thereafter, a review of this policy, changes
or modifications in the operation of the SCBA's or related
information received from the manufacturer shall be passed
on to all personnel of the Elk River Fire Department.
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