Firefighter Respiratory Protection: Equipment, Hazards, and Safety Protocols

Why is respiratory protection important to firefighters?

Inhalation of smoke and other products of combustion can create short-term, long-term, and fatal health hazards.

When is SCBA required?

SCBA is required for activities that take place in or near a potentially immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) environment according to the AHJ's policies.

What other operations may require respiratory protection?

Wildland fires, medical responses involving airborne pathogens, confined-space search/rescue/recovery, repair work that generates fine particulates, and hazardous materials responses involving airborne chemical releases.

What are the two major categories of respiratory protection equipment?

Atmosphere-supplying respirators (ASRs) and air-purifying respirators (APRs).

What is the difference between an ASR and an APR?

ASRs provide breathable air in oxygen-deficient, toxic, or gas-filled atmospheres, while APRs filter particulates or contaminants from the surrounding air.

What is the primary type of respiratory protection used in the fire service?

The atmosphere-supplying respirator (ASR), particularly SCBA.

What are common respiratory hazards?

Oxygen deficiency, elevated temperatures, particulate contaminants, gases and vapors, and airborne pathogens.

What is an oxygen-deficient atmosphere?

An atmosphere containing less than 19.5 percent oxygen.

What happens as oxygen concentration decreases?

Respiratory rate increases, and as less oxygen reaches body tissues, hypoxia occurs.

What is hypoxia?

A condition that occurs when insufficient oxygen reaches the body's tissues.

What is the most common cause of oxygen-deficient atmospheres during fires?

Combustion consumes oxygen and produces toxic gases that physically displace oxygen or dilute its concentration.

Where else can oxygen-deficient atmospheres occur?

Confined spaces such as sewers, chemical storage tanks, grain bins, underground caverns, and areas where carbon dioxide from fire suppression systems may have discharged.

What should firefighters do when atmospheric monitoring is unavailable or readings are questionable?

They should wear SCBA when conditions may be oxygen deficient or otherwise hazardous.

What can inhaling heated gases do to the respiratory system?

Heated air can seriously damage the respiratory tract and cause pulmonary edema, which can result in asphyxiation.

What are particulate contaminants?

Small particles suspended in the air that can harm the respiratory system.

Why are small particulate contaminants especially dangerous?

Nasal membranes filter larger particles but cannot keep very small particles from entering the lungs.

What are sources of particulate contaminants?

Vehicle exhaust emissions, chemical reactions, heated metals or metal compounds, combustion, wildland fires, welding and metal cutting, operation of apparatus and small engines, explosion or building-collapse operations, and structural fires, especially overhaul.

What health effects can exposure to particulate contaminants cause?

Asthma, lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, COPD, and premature death.

What respiratory protection can protect against particulate contaminants?

APRs and PAPRs are generally sufficient for particulate contaminants when approved for the specific hazard.

What are limitations of APRs and PAPRs?

They do not protect against toxic gases or oxygen-deficient atmospheres. Cartridges and filters have limited service lives and must be monitored and replaced according to requirements.

What is an air-purifying respirator (APR)?

An APR passes ambient air through a filter, canister, or cartridge as the wearer breathes, removing contaminants from the air.

What types of APRs may be used?

Full-facepiece APRs provide a complete seal and protect the eyes, nose, and mouth; half-facepiece APRs cover the nose and mouth and require separate eye protection.

When may particulate filters be used?

They may be used for emergency medical incidents involving airborne diseases and for hazards for which the APR is certified.

What are the main limitations of APRs?

Filters, canisters, and cartridges have limited life; the contaminated atmosphere must be continuously monitored; and normal oxygen content must be confirmed before use.

What should firefighters do with APR filters, canisters, and cartridges?

Inspect them regularly, clean them after each use when appropriate, and discard them after use or when they have passed their service life.

What are gases and vapors?

Gases exist at standard temperature and pressure, while vapors result from temperature or pressure changes affecting a solid or liquid.

How can gases and vapors enter the body?

They can be inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the body.

What health effects can gases and vapors cause?

Cancer, thyroid damage, eye irritation, cardiovascular disease, respiratory problems, illness, and death.

What hazardous gases and vapors may be produced by combustion?

Carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), hydrogen sulfide, phosgene, ammonia, carbon dioxide (CO₂), hydrogen chloride, nitrous gases, sulfur dioxide, and formaldehyde.

Why should firefighters continue using SCBA during overhaul?

Products of combustion can remain hazardous even after smoke and visibility have significantly diminished, and hazardous concentrations may still be present during overhaul.

What are examples of nonfire incidents that may produce hazardous gases and vapors?

Industrial, commercial, or warehouse incidents; transportation spills; and leaks from storage containers or pipelines.

How should firefighters position themselves at a hazardous materials incident?

Remain at a safe distance, preferably upwind, uphill, and upstream, until a risk analysis and atmospheric monitoring indicate the atmosphere is safe.

What nonfire sources can produce carbon dioxide?

Fire suppression systems.

Where may ammonia be found?

Air-conditioning and cooling systems, chilling systems, and agricultural applications.

Where may sulfur dioxide be found?

Air-conditioning and cooling systems.

Where may chlorine be found?

Water treatment facilities, water parks, and swimming pools.

Where may pesticides be found?

Commercial outlets, farms, nurseries, and residences.

Where can toxic gases be found in confined or enclosed areas?

Sewers, caves, storage tanks, bins, storm drains, trenches, tank cars, and other confined spaces.

Why are confined spaces especially dangerous?

The atmosphere may be oxygen deficient and contain potentially deadly gases, so search, rescue, and recovery operations require SCBA.

What are airborne pathogens?

Disease-causing microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, or fungi that are suspended in the air.

How can airborne pathogens cause infection?

Through inhalation or direct contact.

When might firefighters encounter airborne pathogens?

During medical responses, vehicle extrications, rescue and recovery operations, and terrorist attacks.

What respiratory protection may be used against airborne pathogens?

High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, APRs/PAPRs, and SCBA.

What is a HEPA filter?

A high-efficiency particulate air filter designed to filter airborne particles.

Are surgical masks approved for use against airborne pathogens by firefighters?

No. Surgical masks are not approved for use against airborne pathogens, although they may be used on patients to help prevent disease spread through exhaling, sneezing, or coughing.