Kent County Chiefs Association

Standard Operating Guidelines &

Standard Operating Procedures

Subject: SCBA Wear

SOG # 1-4

Approved

March 1998

Approved by: President Pete Lott

Revised

I. PURPOSE

To establish standard operating guidelines for the wear of SCBA at the scene of an emergency or a training exercise. This guideline shall serve to comply with OSHA rule 29 CFR 1910.134.

II. POLICY

To wear and operate the SCBA safely and effectively on an emergency scene and training exercise as possible. The Kent County Fire Chiefs’ Associations have established the following guidelines, which shall adhere to by all companies operating on emergency scene and training exercise in Kent County.

III. DEFINITIONS

1. IDLH Atmosphere – Immediately dangerous to life and health. An atmosphere concentration of any toxic, corrosive or asphyxiate substance that poses an immediate threat to life or would cause irreversible or delayed adverse health effects or would interfere with an individual’s ability to escape from dangerous atmosphere.

2. SCBA – Self Contained Breathing Apparatus.

IV. GUIDELINES

1. The required use of SCBA means that the user shall have the face piece in place, breathing air from the SCBA only.

A. Wearing SCBA without the face piece in place does not satisfy this requirement and should be permitted only under conditions in which the immediate safety of the atmosphere is assured.

B. All members working in proximity to area where SCBA use is required shall have SCBA on their backs for immediately available for donning.

C. Hazardous atmosphere requiring SCBA can be found in, but not limited to, the following operations: structural firefighting, confined space rescue and any incident involving hazardous materials.

2. Members using SCBA shall not compromise the protective integrity of the SCBA for any reason when operating in an IDLH atmosphere, or in an atmosphere where the quality of air is unknown, by removing the face piece or disconnecting any portion of the SCBA that would allow the ambient atmosphere to be breathed.

3. Members who have a beard or facial hair at any point where the SCBA face piece is designed to seal with the face, or hair that could interfere with the operation of the unit, shall not be permitted to use SCBA at emergency incidents or in hazardous or potentially hazardous atmosphere.

A. These restrictions shall apply regardless the specific fit test measurements that can be obtained under test conditions.

4. When a member must wear spectacles while using a face piece, the face piece shall be fitted with spectacles in such a manner that it shall not interfere with the face piece to face seal.

A. Spectacles with any strap or temple bars that pass through the face piece to face seal area shall be prohibited.

B. Use of contact lenses shall be permitted during face piece use, provided that the member has previously demonstrated successful long-term contact lens use.

5. Nothing shall be allowed to enter or pass through the area where the faceplate is designed to seal with the face, regardless of the specific fit test measurement that can be obtained.

A. Any head covering that passes between the sealing surface of the faceplate and member’s face shall be prohibited.

B. The face piece and head harness with straps shall be worn under the Nomex hood.

3. Helmets shall not interfere with the face piece to face seal.

Betterton Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.

Chief James L. Price, Sr.

Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.

Chief F. Bruce Neal

Community Volunteer Fire Company of Millington, Inc.

Chief Paige Hickman

Galena Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.

Chief Christopher A. Powell

Kennedyville Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.

Chief John Krastel

Kent & Queen Anne’s Rescue Squad, Inc.

Chief William Lobley

Rock Hall Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.

Chief Robbi Spry

Kent County Emergency Service Board

Chair Charlene Perry

Downloads