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City of Charlottesville, VA Fire
Department
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| Chapter: | III - Equipment Operations |
| Subject: | Preventive Maintenance - S.C.B.A.'s |
| Code: | 2-III-8 |
| Revised: | 3-10-94 |
To establish those guidelines necessary for compliance
with OSHA and manufacturers recommendations for
maintenance standards of self-contained breathing
apparatus (S.C.B.A.).
A. Only those individuals who have been trained and
certified by the equipment manufacturer may perform
the maintenance procedures on department owned
self-contained breathing apparatus.
B. Replacement or repairs shall be done only by qualified
persons, using parts or supplies designed for the
breathing apparatus. No attempt shall be made to make
adjustments beyond manufacturers recommendations.
Parts shall not be interchanged among devices of
different manufacturers.
C. All maintenance procedures and time schedules shall
conform to OSHA, NFPA, and manufacturers
recommendations and guidelines.
D. All breathing apparatus maintenance shall be performed
in the air mask service area, so designated by the
department.
1. The rear portion of the Fire Equipment Mechanics
Office shall be the only authorized S.C.B.A.
repair and service area.
E. Tools that have been painted blue are designated as
breathing apparatus maintenance tools and can only be
used for the repair, adjustment and service of
self-contained breathing apparatus or the respiratory
air compressor system.
The Fire Equipment Mechanic and/or those department
personnel so assigned shall be the only individuals who
may perform maintenance on department owned SCBA's except
for the routine cleaning of the SCBA.
All department owned S.C.B.A. shall undergo the
inspection, cleaning and maintenance procedures outlined
in this policy.
A. Daily inspection and operational check; the following
steps will be performed on all SCBA on a daily basis:
1. Cylinder pressure will be between 2000 and 2200
psi or cylinder must be recharged or replaced.
2. Examine facepiece and breathing tube assembly for
cleanliness, broken or deteriorating parts and
proper exhalation valve operation. Personnel will
check facepiece for proper facial seal by placing
face piece against the face, cupping hand on
breathing tube end and inhaling. Gently exhale to
check proper exhalation valve operation.
3. Each individual shall sanitize the facepiece
assigned for his/her use with M.S.A. cleaner/
sanitizer (see 2-III-7).
4. Harness straps shall be inspected for excessive
wear, loose screws and proper operation of the
strap adjustment hardware. The tank should not be
loose in the frame.
5. The operation check will be performed in the
following sequence:
a. check regulator valves; the main line valve
should be fully open, the bypass valve should
be fully closed.
b. check high pressure hose handwheel for
tightness.
c. check to be sure the regulator outlet port is
covered with the rubber dust cover.
d. with your hand over the outlet cover,
pressurize the regulator by turning the tank
valve handwheel counter-clockwise.
e. listen for the alarm bell to ring as the
pressure builds but the bell should quit
ringing as the pressure builds above 1200 psi
on the regulator gauge.
f. remove hand from outlet cover, the cover
should remain in place.
g. check to verify that the regulator gauge and
tank gauge are equal (and 50 psi). '
h. turn off the tank valve and watch the
regulator gauge for 30-45 seconds. There
should be no noticeable drop in pressure.
i. lift an edge of the rubber outlet cover and
slowly allow the air pressure to drop. When
the alarm bell starts ringing, reseal the
outlet cover and allow the alarm to ring until
all air pressure is exhausted. The alarm
should start to ring at 550 psi (and 50) and
continue to ring until 200 psi or lower.
j. carrying cases for scba will be cleaned and
the interior wiped with a damp rag or sponge.
k. breathing apparatus that does not perform
properly as outlined must be returned to the
maintenance division for repair (see 2-III-7).
B. After each use:
1. Air cylinder shall be recharged (see 2-III-9).
2. Harness assembly will be washed with mild soap and
water and scrubbed with a soft bristle brush if
necessary.
3. Never apply water to SCBA unless high pressure
line is connected to an air cylinder and the
regulator outlet port is covered.
4. Wash and sanitize face piece (see 2-III-7).
5. Perform daily inspection and operational check as
outlined in 8.04-A.
C. The monthly inspection will be scheduled and conducted
by the Fire Equipment Mechanic and/or those other
individuals designated by the department. The monthly
inspection program contains four (4) sections: flow
testing, leak testing, visual inspection and if
necessary, maintenance and repair of worn or damaged
parts.
1. Regulators will be flow tested and test results
recorded. Flow tests will be conducted using the
portable regulator tester and procedures as
outlined in the accompanying manual.
2. The regulator, high pressure hose, alarm, cylinder
valve, and admission valve will be tested for
leakage as outlined in the M.S.A publication
"Testing and Repair Procedures Section 2."
3. A visual inspection of the entire apparatus shall
be made as described in M.S.A. Publication
"Testing and Repair Procedures Section 3." Areas
to be covered include:
a. regulator diaphragm
b. lever assembly
c. pressure gauge
d. high pressure hose
e. air cylinder and valve
f. facepiece
g. breathing tube
h. harness assembly
4. When all tests have been completed any repairs
needed can be made before returning the apparatus
to service.
5. Maintenance records for each S.C.B.A. shall be
maintained and shall reflect findings of
inspections and repairs made to breathing
apparatus.
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