A trick question I learned long ago, when it was used on me, is one I use today when auditing a facility that has SCBAs for “Emergency Use Only” (e.g., an ERT). As we are walking to the ERT cage/trucks, I casually ask if the facility fills its bottles/cylinders or if they have a breathing air compressor and fill their own bottles/cylinders. Many of my clients use their Local FD to fill their bottles/cylinders, and this leads me to my “trick question”…
How often do you have to “top off” your bottles/cylinders?
If they say “about twice a year,” then they are most likely doing their monthly inspections per the manufacturer’s requirements. If they say “hardly ever,” then we need to ask how they are executing their monthly inspections/testing of their SCBAs.
Every SCBA manufacturer that I am aware of that produces NIOSH/NFPA-approved SCBAs will have the exact MONTHLY requirement to charge the system from the bottle/cylinder to the regulator. This tests the low-pressure alarm when the system is charged and, more importantly, when we bleed off the pressure and watch the pressure gauge to ensure the low-pressure alarm sounds when it is supposed to. Performing this part of the monthly test will drain some breathing air from the cylinder, and eventually, the cylinder will fall below the minimum 90% capacity and require topping off with Grade D breathing air.
Most brands today have a monthly testing protocol far above what I described above and will eat up even more breathing air from the cylinder, meaning we will have to be topping off the bottles/cylinders even more frequently. Here are the steps for my SCOTT SCBA monthly inspection/tests, and I am lucky to have a world-class FD in my community (ISO rating of 2) that allows me to fill my two cylinders each month.
OPERATIONAL TESTING
- Check that the breathing regulator purge valve (red knob on regulator) is closed (full clockwise and pointer on knob upward) :
- Fully depress the center of the air saver/donning switch on the top of the regulator and release .
- Slowly open the cylinder valve by fully rotating the knob counterclockwise.
a) VIBRALERT alarm shall actuate and then stop.
b) The HEADS-UP DISPLAY will initialize with all five lights on for twenty seconds, followed by the display of cylinder supply level. If the LOW BATTERY light at the far right of the display remains lit or begins to flash, replace the batteries according to the BATTERY REPLACEMENT section of this instruction before proceeding.
c) If the regulator includes the Beacon Alarm (see FIGURE 3), the Beacon Alarm will begin flashing when the VIBRALERT actuates and will continue to flash after the VIBRALE RT has stopped actuating. Flashing will continue until the first breath is taken on the regulator or until the purge valve is momentarily opened and then closed.
d) If the respirator is equipped with the PASS device distress alarm, the distress alarm will be actuated when the cylinder valve is opened. Refer to the Operating and Maintenance instructions of the PASS device distress alarm for the regular operational inspection of the PASS device distress alarm. - Check that the remote pressure gauge is operating properly and that it reads within 10% of the value on the cylinder pressure gauge.
- Don the facepiece or hold the facepiece to the face to affect a good seal. Inhale sharply to automatically start the flow of air. Breathe normally from the facepiece to ensure proper operation.
- Remove facepiece from face. Air shall freely flow from the facepiece.
- Fully depress the air saver/donning switch on the top of regulator and release. The flow of air from the facepiece shall stop. Examine the complete respirator for air leaks. There shall be no leakage of air from any part of the respirator .
- Check the purge valve:
a) Rotate purge valve 1 /2 turn counterclockwise (pointer on knob downward). Air shall freely flow from the regulator.
b) Rotate purge valve 1/2 turn clockwise to full closed position (pointer on knob upward) . Air flow from regulator shall stop. - Push in and rotate the cylinder valve knob clockwise to close. When the cylinder valve is fully closed, open the purge valve slightly to vent residual air pressure from system. As the residual air pressure vent from the system, the remote pressure gauge needle will swing from “FULL ” and move towards “EMPTY .” Observe the lights of the HEADS -UP DISPLAY and verify that they light properly in descending order. Close the purge valve when the gauge needle crosses the “¼” mark but before the beginning of the red “EMPTY” band (see FIGURE 4).
- a) The VIBRALERT end of service indicator alarm shall actuate (rapid clicking).
- b) The red light on the far left of the HEADS-UP DISPLAY shall flash rapidly at ten (10) times per second.
- c) The Beacon Alarm, if installed, shall begin flashing .
- d) If installed, the PASS device with electronic end of service time indicator will actuate (audible signal from Sensor Module and flashing display “LOW AIR”).
- After verifying that all alarms are functioning , open the purge valve slightly to vent the remaining residual air pressure from the system.
a) All alarms shall cease operation when the system pressure drops to zero except the accessory electronic end of service time indicator.
b) To terminate the electronic end of service time indicator, press the Manual Reset button on the Control Console twice and then twice again after the flashing green light sequence. - When air flow stops completely, return purge valve to the fully closed position (pointer on knob upward) .
IF ANY DISCREPANCY OR MALFUNCTION IS NOTED DURING THE INSPECTION, DO NOT USE THE RESPIRATOR. REMOVE THE RESPIRATOR FROM SERVICE AND TAG IT FOR REPAIR BY AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL.