So we all us them and they are a great idea but it seems they are not up to what they are for. How many times do you hear a pass alarm going off and pay no attention because it never stops they are getting to the point no pays any mind because they are going off even when working? Its time we all ask all the manufacturers to look at the fire service through real eyes and lets work together to make a system that works PLEASE I AM GETTING A HEADACHE!!!
Curt:
My remarks were directed at the notion that PASS device activation was being ignored. I was merely stating that it is a bad habit to get into.
Let's face it; there was a problem with firefighters turning on the non-integrated devices. It was either that, in the heat of the moment, they FORGOT to turn them on or they didn't turn them on because they were irritating and they were only training or not inside a structure or any number of reasons. Regardless, NFPA came back and said that all new packs would be equipped with integrated devices that would automatically activate when the pack and mask were deployed. Most likely, the next generation of devices will address the "false" alarm, but seriously; is the PASS audible alarm any peskier than that dang low air alarm? I don't think so.
I'm here to tell you that, if some people can figure out how to by-pass the integrated PASS on airpacks, they will!
And the end result of that could be deadly.
TCSS.
Art