Last week I asked my FaceBook Group a “trick question” regarding the end-of-service-time indicator (EOSTI) on our Supplied Air Respirators that we use for emergency response. I was so pleased to get so many texts/calls/emails and even a few phone calls checking to see if I was feeling OK. I did not tell the group it was a trick question, but a lot of them realized there was no right answer available. Here is the question I asked, do you see the “trick” in the question?
At what point does the low-level breathing air alarm (i.e., end-of-service-time indicator) activate on a NIOSH/NFPA approved SCBA?
A) 10%
B) 15%
C) 20%
D) 25%
Bonus question: Do NIOSH and NFPA approvals use the same activation percentage for the end-of-service-time indicator?
I asked this question because I continue to see SCBA’s bought for a HAZMAT team being used by the Fire Brigade who performs interior attacks. This difference in the use of these SCBA’s will dictate when the EOSTI MUST alarm…
NFPA 1981: Standard on Open-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for Emergency Services, 2019
1.3.1 This standard shall apply to all open-circuit SCBA and combination SCBA/SARs used by emergency services organizations for respiratory protection of its personnel during FIREFIGHTING, rescue, hazardous materials, terrorist incident, and similar operations where products of combustion, oxygen deficiency, particulates, toxic products, or other IDLH atmospheres exist or could exist at the incident scene.
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6.2.6 The EOSTI alarm shall activate at 35 percent, ±2 percent of full cylinder pressure.
NFPA 1986: Standard on Respiratory Protection Equipment for Tactical and Technical Operations, 2017
1.3.1 This standard shall apply to all open-circuit SCBA and combination SCBA/SARs used by emergency services organizations for respiratory protection of its personnel during but not limited to rescue, hazardous materials response, tactical law enforcement operations, confined space entry, terrorist incident response, and similar operations where oxygen deficiency, particulates, toxic products, products of combustion, or other IDLH atmospheres exist or could exist at the incident scene.
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6.2.6 The EOSTI alarm shall activate at 25 percent +4/–0 percent of full cylinder pressure.
So yes, a facility could purchase their SCBA’s meeting NFPA 1981 and have a EOSTI @ 35% and these units could be used for HAZMAT and PRCS RESCUE, but that brings us to Difference #2… Design considerations for Deconning. Look at your NFPA 1981 units and ask yourself…
Can I actually decon these padded strapped?”
Can chemicals be absorbed into these padded straps?