scba

I have noticed that a lot of departments don't wear air packs during overhaul . There is a lot of dangerous fumes still present at that time . What does your department require ?

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Permalink Reply by Nick Devries on August 22, 2008 at 10:25am

well....department standards are BA at all times when near the incident. i haven't worn one ONCE during overhaul. i mean, i want to be as safe as the next guy, but i'll be one of the first to drop bottle if i hear the ok. reading through some of the other posts, i guess it wouldn't be that tough to go through and test the air. might be something worth bringing up at the net meeting....

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Permalink Reply by CAPNCRNCH on August 24, 2008 at 1:45pm

We will monitor the air for CO and HCN, if levels are acceptable we can then go off air.

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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on August 24, 2008 at 3:10pm

We require an atmospheric monitoring team to verify that oxygen levels are adequate and that carbon monoxide levels and LELs are within specific limits prior to allowing anyone into a fire building without SCBA - for any reason. That includes unmasked overhaul, escorting civilians to recover personal property, the civilians who enter for property recovery, and fire investigators.

We use MultiRAE atmospheric monitors for this - our truck company has two assigned with spares available on our USAR and Hazmat units.

We also have a RAD 57 pulse carbon monoxide monitor that is used in Rehab to ensure that firefighters have not been exposed to dangerous levels of CO at any point during the operation.

If overhaul increases smouldering, fumes, or other problem noticed by anyone, we have the option to suspend unmasked activities and re-monitor the interior.

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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on August 24, 2008 at 3:16pm

Gasoline PPV fans can introduce large quantities of carbon monoxide into the structure. If you're not using electric fans and you don't monitor the air, the fans may not be as effective at cleaning the atmosphere as you might think.

My department has done some actual testing (Mick Mayers and I ran one such test a couple of years ago) on this and the CO levels introduced into even a large open area by PPV fan was pretty eye-opening. The levels were about the 35 PPM low-alarm level allowed by NFPA 1500 and by OSHA for operating without SCBA.

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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on August 24, 2008 at 3:21pm

Filter masks don't protect you from anything except carbon particulates greater than .03 to .05 microns in size.

The real killers - inorganic gases - go right through typical N-95 and HEPA filter masks. Even organic vapor cannisters don't provide real protection for very long.

No filter respirator of any type will protect you if the overhaul environment is oxygen-depleted.

Monitoring the air to determine safe levels is the key thing here. Filter masks are hot, bulky, and most importantly have been shown to build up high carbon dioxide levels from exhaled breath over time. That puts your already-tired firefighters at a higher risk for heart attacks, strokes, and heat exhaustion, because the filter masks make them more lactic when used for a prolonged time.

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