INTERNATIONAL FIRE TRAINING CENTRE

BREATHING APPARATUS INFORMATION BOOKLET

The purpose of this booklet is to outline the test/inspection requirements for the BA sets used at IFTC.

Where any of the tests contained herein form part of a course assessment process, this booklet will
be used as a model answer.

When you are required to use BA at IFTC you will be supplied with the following:

 PA90 series SCBA set with 200 Bar 1800 ltr carbon fibre cylinder fitted

 The set will be fitted with an Automatic Distress Signal Unit (ADSU)

 A BA Personal line will be fitted to the waistbelt of the set

 Panorama Nova Facemask in a protective bag

 Unique BA log book

The set must only be used on the instruction of your course Instructor. You will also be required to
carry out the following:

GENERAL CHECK (see page 2) This test should be carried out in the following situations:

 When the set is issued to you by the BA department

 When the set has been serviced after use
 When the cylinder has been changed
 At the start of each days training

CYLINDER REPLACEMENT (see page 4) The cylinder must be replaced with a full one when the
contents gauge registers a pressure of below 80% of full pressure (i.e. 160 Bar). When a cylinder has
been removed it must be handed into the BA department staff at the earliest opportunity for
recharging.

DON AND START UP PROCEDURE (see page 4) Whenever you are nominated to wear BA you
MUST carry out this procedure correctly. Failure to do so may reduce the respiratory protection
provided by the set.

CLOSING DOWN PROCEDURE (see page 5)

AFTER USE SERVICING (see page 6) When you have worn a set you will be responsible for
cleaning it and making it ready for re-use.

REPORTING ANY FAULTS (see page 6)

NOTE: You must not attempt any servicing or repairs other than those detailed in this booklet.

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GENERAL CHECK

 Carry out a visual inspection of the whole apparatus paying attention to:

i. All harnesses should be fully extended

ii. The cylinder should be securely fitted to the backplate
iii. Examine all components for signs of excessive wear or damage
iv. Correct assembly of the apparatus (check all finger tight connections)

 Detach the facemask from the Lung Demand Valve (LDV) and place it safely to one side

 Switch off the positive pressure mechanism by pressing the red button on the LDV.

 Open the cylinder valve slowly but fully to pressurise the system

 Read the pressure gauge (the pressure should be not less than 80% of the full cylinder pressure
i.e. minimum of 160 bar)

 Listen to ensure that no air leaks are audible

 Close the cylinder valve fully

 Observe the pressure gauge (the reading should not fall by more than 10 bar in 1 minute)

 Check that the low pressure warning whistle activates within the range of 60-50 bar by:

i. Cover the outlet port of the LDV with the ball of the hand
ii. Press the centre of the LDV to activate
iii. Slowly vent the system by carefully lifting the ball of the hand allowing air to slowly escape
iv. Observe the pressure gauge noting the reading when the whistle begins to operate.

 Connect the demand valve to the facemask by pushing the LDV into the facemask port until it
clicks into position (check that the connection is secure by gently pulling the LDV)

 Don the apparatus by placing the right arm through the harness and placing the left arm through
the harness as if donning a jacket.

 Adjust shoulder straps but do not tighten

 Support the facemask by placing the neck strap around the neck.

 Fasten the waistbelt by pulling the ends sideways until secure and comfortable on the hips. Tuck
away loose ends

 Re-adjust shoulder straps until the apparatus is secure and comfortable. Tuck away loose ends

 Switch off the positive pressure mechanism by pressing the red button on the LDV

 Open the cylinder valve slowly but fully

 Take the facemask and spread the harness with both hands

 Take a deep inhalation and hold breath

 Slide the facemask and harness over the head and position the mask ensuring that the chin fits
firmly into the chin cup

 Adjust the bottom and middle straps progressively and evenly in pairs to ensure that the head
harness is square on the back of the head
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 Finish off adjustment with the top strap (the facemask fit should be square, comfortable, secure
but not over tight)

 Breath deeply to activate the LDV

 Breath in and out a few times to check for correct function of LDV and exhalation valve

 Hold breath – no air flow should be heard confirming that the LDV and exhalation valve are
balanced

 Breath normally

 Perform a facemask seal test by:

i. Holding breath and turning off the air supply, keeping a hand on the cylinder valve
ii. Observe the pressure gauge for approximately 8 seconds whilst moving the head up and
down and side to side. There should be no discernible change in gauge reading
iii. Breathe steadily to exhaust the residual air in the system
iv. When the air is exhausted inhale so that the mask collapses onto the face
v. Hold breath for approximately 8 seconds to ensure that the mask remains “sucked down” onto
the face
vi. Turn on the air supply and breathe normally

 Check the operation of the supplementary air supply by pressing the centre of the LDV

 Remove the face mask by:

i. Loosening the two lower harness straps

ii. Taking the LDV in the hand, press the red button
iii. Hold the red button in position and lift the facemask and harness off the head
iv. Close the cylinder valve and vent the system by pressing the centre of the LDV

NOTE: When venting the system direct the vented air away from the face.

 Remove the set and fully extend the harnesses.

 Carry out a full function test of the ADSU by:

i. Remove the ADSU key – note an activation bleep and flashing LED confirming ‘sensor mode’
ii. Place the ADSU in a static position – note pre-alarm after approximately 20 seconds
iii. Move the ADSU during sounding of pre-alarm – note the unit returns to ‘sensor mode’
iv. Replace the ADSU in a static position – note the pre-alarm
v. Leave the ADSU in a static position – note the full distress signal should activate
approximately 8 seconds after initial sounding of pre-alarm
vi. Insert the key to de-activate the unit
vii. Remove the key and press the red button to check manual operation of the unit
viii. Insert the key to deactivate the unit

NOTE: It is not advisable to perform this test when servicing the set after use at an operational
incident or in close proximity to an ongoing training exercise.

 Inspect the security and stowage of the personal line by:

i. Checking that the parts are stowed in the correct pocket of the pouch
ii. The ‘D’ ring is attached to the tenax clip
iii. The line is secured to the waistbelt of the set

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 Enter name and cylinder pressure on the BA tally

 Fill in the log book

NOTE: If any of the above fails to meet the test or inspection requirements attempt one re-test, if the
problem is still present report it to you course Instructor. DO NOT ATTEMPT ANY REPAIRS.

CHANGING THE CYLINDER

 Ensure that the cylinder valve is closed

 Vent any pressure in the system by pressing the centre of the LDV blue

 Loosen the cam-lock on the cylinder retaining strap

 Remove the anti-vibration strap from the cylinder connector

 Unscrew the cylinder connector and lift the cylinder clear of the apparatus

 Fully extend the cylinder retaining strap

 Visually examine the condition of the cylinder connector ‘O’ ring

 Slide the fully charged cylinder into the cylinder retaining strap

 Swing the cylinder and backplate into the vertical position so that the weight of the cylinder is
supported

 Align the cylinder connector to the cylinder valve and tighten using finger and thumb effort only

 Lay the apparatus flat and adjust the cylinder retaining strap so that when the cam-lock is applied
the cylinder is secure against the back plate (do not over tighten)

 Fit the anti-vibration strap

 Carry out a full general check

DON AND START UP PROCEDURE

 Don the apparatus by placing the right arm through the harness and placing the left arm through
the harness as if donning a jacket

 Adjust shoulder straps but do not tighten

 Support the facemask by placing the neck strap around the neck (check secure LDV connection)

 Fasten the waistbelt by pulling the ends sideways until secure and comfortable on the hips. Tuck
away loose ends

 Re-adjust shoulder straps until the apparatus is secure and comfortable. Tuck away loose ends

 Switch off the positive pressure mechanism by pressing the red button on the LDV

 Open the cylinder valve slowly but fully

 Check the pressure gauge. Ensure a minimum pressure of 80% (160 bar)

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 Take the facemask and spread the harness with both hands

 Take a deep inhalation and hold breath

 Slide the facemask and harness over the head and position the mask ensuring that the chin fits
firmly into the chin cup

 Adjust the bottom and middle straps progressively and evenly in pairs to ensure that the head
harness is square on the back of the head

 Finish off adjustment with the top strap (the facemask fit should be square, comfortable, secure
but not over tight)

 Breath deeply to activate the LDV

 BA Wearers should usually check that their partners head harness is correctly positioned on the
head and that straps are aligned correctly, not twisted and evenly tensioned

 Don fire hood and helmet

 Breath in and out a few times to check for correct function of LDV and exhalation valve

 Hold breath – no air flow should be heard confirming that the LDV and exhalation valve are
balanced

 Breath normally

 Perform a facemask seal test by:

i. Holding breath and turning off the air supply keeping a hand on the cylinder valve
ii. Observe the pressure gauge for approximately 8 seconds whilst moving the head up and
down and side to side. There should be no discernible change in gauge reading
iii. Breathe steadily to exhaust the residual air in the system noting the correct operation of the
low pressure warning whistle
iv. When the air is exhausted inhale so that the mask collapses onto the face
v. Hold breath for approximately 8 seconds to ensure that the mask remains “sucked down” onto
the face
vi. Turn on the air supply and breath normally

 Check the operation of the supplementary air supply by pressing the centre of the LDV

 Check the details on the tally and report to the Entry Control Officer

CLOSING DOWN PROCEDURE

 On the instruction of the ECO close down the set by:

i. De-activate the ADSU by refitting the key

ii. Remove the helmet and fire hood
iii. Loosen the two lower straps of the head harness
iv. Take the LDV in the hand and press the red button
v. Hold the red button in position and lift the facemask and harness off the head
vi. Close the cylinder valve and vent the system by pressing the centre of the LDV

NOTE: When venting the system direct the vented air away from the face

 Remove the set and service as necessary

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AFTER USE SERVICING

 Replace the cylinder as described above

 Remove the facemask and wash thoroughly in the correctly mixed safety wash solution

 Rinse the mask thoroughly in clean luke warm water

 Dry the facemask using the towel roll supplied

 Re-assemble the apparatus and carry out a general check as described above

 Complete the log book as required

FAULT REPORTING

If you identify a fault with a BA set during testing or whilst wearing the set you must:

 Report the fault to your course Instructor

 Enter a description of the fault in the log book and return the set along with the log book to the BA
department as soon as possible

NOTE: Do not attempt any repairs

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