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Permalink Reply by Roger Eagle on February 19, 2014 at 9:26pm

Smokeater,

      I guess how you set it up depends a lot on what you plan on doing in there. Our shop has a UNICUS III, Posichek 3 machine, cylinder vise, spare SCBA & cylinder as well as SCUBA gear & cylinder storage. Of course you also need to know how many units you will be dealing with. The only time the shop gets ready busy is when we Posichek our department some forty SCBAs. Mind you our station was completed in 2007 and the room originally designed for the SCBA room was half again the size of the one I ended up with but my choice. Air hose to fill cylinders on our ladder trucks & rescue with a cascade was just long enough if I swapped rooms with our tool room. Our room is like 10ft by 14ft, little cramped but pretty organized, of course big chunk of room taken up by compressor. Since it is in the flood proof section of the station the room has one door and no windows, when running compressor door is opened and room unoccupied. Would not have an issue sending photos and/or drawings to help you out if I can. Good to plan early.

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Permalink Reply by Rick on February 28, 2014 at 9:28pm

 First and most important - in my view - the person doing the works should be a certified repairman. Ask you SCBA supplier where and when the next training cycle will be offered. Try and have atleast two techs trained and certified.

Proper records must be maintained - every repair, test or adjustment documented.

 I don't recommend fill stations being in the same room as MSR(Mask service Repair) - the room for mask services should be separate from tool control/repair shop. You don't want dirty tools or other thing in the same area.

 One reason is if a SCBA or other items are brought in after field use - there could be contaminants present. Equipment should be cleaned by end user before being turned in for repairs or inspections are done. Same reason to have fill stations - if possible - in a separate area.

You will need a large sink area for cleaning gear.

 Fit testing is done yearly in our Dept and flow testing is also yearly. Again make sure the factory rep provides proper training and document that training.

 As far as the size of you shop - think about this - you need one area to due Posicheks in - preferably next to your repair/tool area - 10 by 14 is good(140 squar feet) - then a separate area for stock and replace parts and equipment - another 10 by 4 area(40 square feet) - then area for filing and fit testing 10 by 10(100 square feet) - now remember if you have firemen waiting for equipment or fit testing is done by the crew , you need room for them too. So minimum of 300 square feet of dedicated space.

 

 There is no doubt your company will save considerable money by filling your own bottles for the SCBA's and tons of money servicing your SCBA equipment.

 

 I am quite sure there's many items I didn't mention - do you know how much space and what the budget will include - you can also save big dollars filling oxygen bottles -

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