Chapter 3: Personal Protective Equipment

Air Cylinder

Component of SCBA that stores the compressed air

Air line

Hose through which air flows, either within SCBA or from an outside source to a supplied air respirator.

Backpack

Harness of SCBA, supports components worn by firefighter

Bunker coat

Protective coat for interior structure firefighting. AKA turnout coat. 3 layers- fire resistant, moisture barrier, vapour barrier

Bunker pants

Protective pants worn by firefighter. Same 3 layers

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Toxic gas produced through incomplete combustion.

Cascade System

A method of piping air tanks together to allow air to be supplied to the SCBA fill station using a progressive selection of tanks, each with a higher pressure level.

Closed-circuit breathing apparatus

SCBA designed to recycle the users exhaled air. This system removes carbon dioxide and generates fresh oxygen

Compressor

Device used for increasing the pressure and density of a gas

Doff

To take off an item of clothing or equipment

Don

To put on an item of clothing or equipment

Dual-path pressure reducer

A feature that automatically provides a backup method for air to be supplied to the regulator of an SCBA if the primary passage malfunctions.

End-of-service-time-indicator (EOSTI)

A warning device of an SCBA that alerts the user that the end of the breathing air is approaching.

Face Piece

A component of SCBA that fits over the face

Fire helmet

Protective head covering worn by firefighters to protect the head from falling objects, blunt trauma, and heat.

Hand light

A small, portable light carried by firefighters to improve visibility at emergency scenes; powered by rechargeable batteries

Heads Up Display (HUD)

A visual display of information and systems conditions status that is visible to the wearer of the SCBA

Hydrogen cyanide

Toxic gas produced by the combustion of materials containing cyanide

Hydrostatic testing

Pressure testing of the extinguisher to verify its strength against unwanted rupture (NFPA 10)

Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH)

Any condition that would pose immediate or delayed threat to life, cause irreversible adverse health effects, or interfere with an individuals ability to escape unaided from a hazardous environment.

Incomplete combustion

A burning process in which the fuel is not completely consumed, usually due to a limited supply of oxygen.

Kevlar

A strong synthetic material used in the construction of protective clothing and equipment.

Kilopascal (kPa)

The standard unit of pressure

Light Emitting Diode (LED)

An electronic semiconductor that emits a single-color light when activated.

National Insitute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

The United States federal agency responsible for research and development on occupational safety and health issues

Nomex

A fire-resistant synthetic material used in the construction of personal protective equipment for fire fighting.

Nose cups

An insert inside the face piece of an SCBA that fits over the user's mouth and nose.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

The United States federal agency that regulates worker safety and in some cases responder safety. Part of the United States Department of Labour.

Open-circuit breathing apparatus

SCBA in which the exhaled air is released into the atmosphere and is not reused.

oxygen deficiency

Any atmosphere where the oxygen level is less than 19.5 percent. Low oxygen levels can have serious effects on people, including adverse reactions such as poor judgment and lack of muscle control.

PBI

A fire-retardant synthetic material used in the construction of PPE

Personal Alert Safety System (PASS)

A device that continually monitors for lack of movement of the wearer and, if no movement is detected, automatically activates an alarm signal indicating the wearer is in need of assistance. The device can also be manually activated to trigger the alarm signal.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Helmet, protective foot wear, gloves, flame resistant clothing

Phosgene

A chemical agent that causes severe pulmonary damage; it is a by-product of incomplete combustion.

pounds per square inch

Standard imperial unit for measuring pressure

Pressure guage

A device that measures and displays pressure readings. In an SCBA, the pressure gauges indicate the quantity of breathing air that is available at any time.

Protective Hood

A part of a fire fighter's personal protective equipment that is designed to be worn over the head and under the helmet; it provides thermal protection for the neck and ears.

Rapid Intervention crew/company universal air connection (RIC UAC)

A system that allows emergency replenishment of breathing air to the SCBA of disabled or entrapped fire or emergency services personnel

SCBA Harness

The part of SCBA that allows fire fighters to wear it as a "backpack."

SCBA regulator

The part of the SCBA that reduces the high pressure in the cylinder and controls the flow of air to the user.

self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)

Respirator with independent air supply used by fire fighters to enter toxic and otherwise dangerous atmospheres.

Self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA)

A respirator with an independent air supply that is used by underwater divers.

Smoke Particles

Airborne solid materials consisting of ash and unburned or partially burned fuel released by a fire.

Supplied-air respirator (SAR)

An atmosphere-supplying respirator for which the source of breathing air is not designed to be carried by the user. (NFPA 1404)

Turnout Coat

Protective coat that is part of a protective clothing ensemble for structural fire fighting; also called a bunker coat.

Turnout Pants

Protective trousers that are part of a protective clothing ensemble for structural fire fighting; also called bunker pants.

two-way radio

A portable communication device used by firefighters.

How much of the body is structural firefighting personal protective equipment (PPE) designed to cover?

full body coverage

What is the primary function of the moisture barrier in structural firefighting PPE?

Prevent liquids and vapors from reaching the skin

During use in actual firefighting conditions, the maximum realistic duration of an SCBA air supply is about _____ percent of its rated duration.

50

When donning SCBA, fire fighters should check that the cylinder has a minimum of _____ percent of its rated maximum pressure.

90

What is a requirement for structural firefighting boots?

Slip-resistant sole

What is the primary function of the purge/bypass valve on an SCBA regulator?

Provide an emergency air supply in the event of a malfunction

Current NFPA standards require an SCBA EOSTI to sound when cylinder pressure drops to _____ percent of capacity.

35

Pressure readings on an SCBA cylinder gauge and remote pressure gauge should not differ by more than _____ %.

15

Which component of structural firefighting protective clothing is critical for protecting the body from steam burns?

moisture barrier

A drag rescue device (DRD) is a component of the:

protective coat

Smoke contains _____ highly toxic products of combustion or physical states of matter.

3

An oxygen-deficient atmosphere contains less than _____ percent oxygen.

19.5

SCBA cylinders of aluminum, steel, and carbon-fiber must be hydrostatically tested every _____ years.

5

Which type of breathing apparatus offers protection only for specific, known hazards?

Air-purifying respirator

Standard on protective clothing and equipment for wildland firefighting

NFPA 1977

Standard on open circuit self-contained breathing apparatus SCBA For emergency services

NFPA 1981

Standard on personal alert safety system PASS

NFPA 1982