Protective Clothing and Respiratory Protection for Hazardous Materials Incidents

Flashcards covering protective garments, structural firefighting protective gear, respiratory equipment standards, and chemical protective suits.

How much protection do street clothing and work uniforms provide against hazardous materials?

They provide almost no protection from the harmful effects of hazardous materials/dangerous goods.

What pieces of gear are included in Structural Firefighters' Protective Clothing (SFPC)?

A helmet, coat, pants, boots, gloves, and a hood to cover parts of the head not protected by the helmet and facepiece.

What minimum standards must Structural Firefighters' Protective Clothing (SFPC) meet?

It should, at minimum, meet the OSHA Fire Brigades Standard (29 CFR 1910.156) or NFPA 1851.

What are the protection limitations of Structural Firefighters' Protective Clothing (SFPC)?

SFPC provides limited protection from heat and cold, and it may not provide adequate protection from harmful vapors or liquids encountered during hazardous materials/dangerous goods incidents.

Under what condition may an incident commander authorize a quick "in-and-out" operation for a responder wearing SFPC and SCBA?

Only if there is an overriding benefit, such as performing an immediate rescue or turning off a valve to control a leak.

Is coverall-type clothing worn for forest or wildland fires classified as SFPC?

No, coverall-type protective clothing customarily worn to fight fires in forests or wildlands is not SFPC and is not recommended nor referred to elsewhere in the guidebook.

What standards and regulations govern the certification and use of positive pressure SCBA?

It must be certified by NIOSH and the Department of Labor/Mine Safety and Health Administration in accordance with 42 CFR Part 84, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134 and/or 29 CFR 1910.156 (f), and NFPA 1852.

Are chemical-cartridge respirators, filtering masks, or demand-type SCBA acceptable substitutes for positive pressure SCBA?

No. Chemical-cartridge respirators and filtering masks are not acceptable substitutes, and demand-type SCBA does not meet OSHA 29 CFR 1910.156 (f)(1)(i) of the Fire Brigades Standard.

What type of respiratory protection is required if a chemical warfare agent is suspected in an incident?

NIOSH-certified respirators with CBRN protection.

What are the filtering capabilities and limitations of an N95 respirator?

It filters at least $95\%$ of airborne particles ($0.3\text{ microns}$), is not resistant to oil, and does not protect against gases and vapors.

How does a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) function, and does it provide oxygen?

A PAPR forces ambient air through an air-purifying cartridge or filter into the facepiece; it does not supply oxygen or air from a separate source (such as cylinders).

Why must chemical protective clothing only be used if it is compatible with the specific released material?

Because it may protect against one chemical but be readily permeated by chemicals for which it was not designed.

What standard, alternate names, and OSHA level of protection correspond to Vapor Protective Suits?

NFPA 1991, also known as Totally-Encapsulating Chemical Protective Suits or Level A protection (OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120, Appendix A & B).

What standards and protection levels correspond to Liquid-Splash Protective Suits?

NFPA 1992 (Level B or C protection under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120, Appendix A & B), NFPA 1994 (class 1, 2, or 3 Ensembles), and Standard CAN/CGSB/CSA-Z1610-11.

Which manufacturer certifications are required before assuming protective clothing is resistant to flame or cold exposure?

NFPA 1991 5-3 Flammability Resistance Test and 5-6 Cold Temperature Performance Test.