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…