Chapter 3 - Personal Protective Equipment

Air Cylinder

The pressure vessel or vessels that are an integral part of the SCBA and that contain the breathing gas supply; can be configured as a single cylinder or other pressure vessel or as multiple cylinders or pressure vessels. (NFPA 1981)

Air Line

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

Air-Purifying Respirator (APR)

The respirator that removes specific air contaminants by passing ambient air through one or more air purification components. (NFPA 1984)

Atmosphere-Supplying Respirator (ASR)

A respirator that supplies the respirator user with breathing air from a source independent of the ambient atmosphere and includes SCBA and supplied air respirators (SAR). (NFPA 1981)

Carcinogen

A cancer-causing substance that is identified in one of several published lists, including, but not limited to, "NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Hazardous Chemical Desk Reference, and the ACGIH 2007 TLVs and BEIs". (NFPA 1851)

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. (NFPA 1901)

Closed-Circuit Breathing Apparatus

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

Compressor

A device used for increasing the pressure and density of a gas. (NFPA 853)

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.

Emergency Breathing Safety System (EBSS)

A device on an SCBA that allows users to share their available air supply in an emergency situation. (NFPA 1981)

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

A warning device on a SCBA that alerts the user that the end of the reserved air supply is being utilized. (NFPA 1981)

Face Piece

Describes both full face pieces that cover the nose, mouth, and eyes and half face pieces that cover the nose and mouth. (NFPA 1404)

Face Shield

A protective device commonly intended to shield the wearer's face, or portions thereof, in addition to the eyes from certain hazards, depending on face shield type. (NFPA 1500)

Fire Helmet

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

Hand Light

A small, portable light carried by fire fighters to improve visibility at emergency scenes; it is often powered by rechargeable batteries.

Heads-Up Display (HUD)

Visual display of information and system conditions status that is visible to the wearer. (NFPA 1981)

Hydrostatic Testing

A test performed by filling pressure-containing components completely with water or other incompressible fluid while expelling all contained air, closing or capping all open ports of the pressure-containing components, and then raising and maintains the contained pressure to pressurize the pressure-containing components to a prescribed value through an externally supplied pressure-generating device. (NFPA 1901)

Immediately Dangerous to life and health (IDLH)

Any condition that would pose an immediate or delayed threat to life, cause irreversible adverse health effects, or interfere with an individuals ability to escape unaided from a hazardous environment. (NFPA 1670)

Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs)

Electronic semiconductors that emit a single-color light when activated. LEDs are used for operational displays in SCBA.

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

The US federal agency responsible for research and development on occupational safety and health issues.

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 U.S. federal agency that regulates worker safety and, in some cases, responder safety. It is part of the U.S. Department of Labor

Open-Circuit Breathing Apparatus

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

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. (NFPA 1982)

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Consists of full personal protective clothing, plus a SCBA and PASS. (NFPA 1001)

Pounds per square inch (psi)

The standard unit for measuring pressure.

Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR)

An air-purifying respirator that uses a blower to force the ambient air through air-purifying elements to the inlet covering. (NFPA 1984)

Pressure Gauge

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. (NFPA 1981)

Regulator Purge/Bypass Valve

A device or devices designed to bypass a regulator

Respirator

A complete assembly, including the respiratory inlet covering air purification components, electronics, batteries, harness, cables, and hose where applicable; designed to protect the wearer from inhalation of atmospheres containing harmful gases, vapors, or particulate matter. (NFPA 1994)

SCBA Harness

The backpack or frame for mounting the working parts of the SCBA and the straps and fasteners used to attach the SCBA to the fire fighter.

SCBA Regulator

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

Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)

Respirator worn by the user that supplies a respirable atmosphere that is either carried in or generated by the apparatus and is independent of the ambient atmosphere. Respiratory protection is worn in all atmospheres that are considered to be Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH). (NFPA 350)

Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA)

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

Structural Firefighting Protective Coat

The protective coat worn by a fire fighter for interior structural firefighting.

Structural Firefighting Protective Pants

The protective trousers worn by a fire fighter for interior structural firefighting.

Supplied-Air Respirator (SAR)

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

Two-Way Radios

Portable communication devices used by fire fighters. Every firefighting team should carry at least one radio to communicate distress, progress, changes in fire conditions, and other pertinent information.