BREATHING APPARATUS

Presentation by Mustafa AKMAN, 167987

CONTENTS
What is BA ?
Types of BA: Open Circuit, Close Circuit
Parts of BA
Preparation - Usage
Inspection of BA
How does it work ?
Charging cylinders
WHAT IS BA ?
A self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), or simply Breathing
Apparatus (BA) is a device worn by rescue workers, firefighters, and
others to provide breathable air in an IDLH (Immediate Danger to Life
and Health) Atmosphere. The term "self-contained" means that the
breathing set is not dependent on a remote supply (e.g., through a long
hose). If designed for use under water, it is called SCUBA ( self-
contained underwater breathing apparatus).

An SCBA typically has three main components: a high-pressure tank
(e.g., 2200 psi to 4500 psi), a pressure regulator, and an inhalation
connection (mouthpiece, mouth mask or face mask), connected
together and mounted to a carrying frame.

There are two kinds of SCBA: open circuit and closed circuit.

CLOSE CIRCUIT
The closed-circuit type filters, supplements,
and recirculates exhaled gas
It is used when a longer-duration supply of
breathing gas is needed, such as in mine
rescue and in long tunnels, and going
through passages too narrow for a big open-
circuit air cylinder.
OPEN CIRCUIT
Open-circuit industrial breathing sets are filled with filtered,
compressed air, rather than pure oxygen. Typical open-
circuit systems have two regulators; a first stage to reduce
the pressure of air to allow it to be carried to the mask, and
a second stage regulator to reduce it even further to a level
just above standard atmospheric pressure. This air is then
fed to the mask via either a demand valve (activating only
on inhalation) or a continuous positive pressure valve
(providing constant airflow to the mask).


PARTS OF BA
An open-circuit rescue or firefighter SCBA
has a fullface mask, regulator, air
cylinder, cylinder pressure gauge, and a
harness with adjustable shoulder straps
and waist belt which lets it be worn on the
back.


Air cylinders are made of aluminium, steel, or of a composite
construction (usually carbon-fiber wrapped.) The composite cylinders
are the lightest in weight and are therefore preferred by fire departments.

Air cylinders must be hydrostatically tested every 3 years for
composite cylinders, and every 5 years for metal cylinders.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Open circuit SCBAs utilize either "positive pressure" or "negative
pressure" operation.

1. NEGATIVE PRESSURE

A "negative pressure" SCBA may be used with a type of fullface mask
which could be used as a gasmask (with a filter canister on the
facepiece's air inlet) or with an open-circuit breathing set connected to
the air inlet. Air is delivered to the wearer when he breathes in, or in
other words, reduces the pressure in the mask to less than outside
pressure, hence the name "negative pressure". The limitations of this
are obvious, as any leaks in the device or the interface between the
mask and the face of the wearer (caused for example by small face skin
wrinkles) would reduce the protection offered.
2. POSITIVE PRESSURE:

"Positive pressure" SCBA addresses this limitation. By careful design,
the device is set to maintain a small pressure inside the facepiece.
Although the pressure drops when the wearer breathes in, the device
always maintains a higher pressure inside the mask than outside of the
mask. Thus, even if the mask leaks slightly, there is a flow of clean air
out of the device, automatically preventing inward leakage under most
circumstances. Although the performance of both types of SCBA may be
similar under optimum conditions, this "fail safe" behaviour makes a
"Positive pressure" SCBA preferable for most applications.
PREPARATION BEFORE USE
We perform two tests before use BA :
Leak Test :
Perform condensed check in order described below:


1. Open cylinder valve with approx. two turns of hand-wheel
2. Read pressure gauge.
3. Minimum pressure: 270 bar with 6L/300 bar cylinder.
4. Close cylinder valve.
5. The apparatus is tight if there is no noticeable drop of pressure
after 1 min.
Check of Warning Device:

Open cylinder valve briefly and close again.

Slowly activate releasing button until air flows out, observing
pressure gauge at the same time. The warning signal must
begin to sound at approx. 55 bar.

USAGE
From time to time during use check tight
connection between lung-governed demand
valve and facepiece. If the air supply is
reduced to the activating pressure of warning
device, a whistle sounds which continues till
the air supply has been exhausted. When the
whistle starts to sound, the user must return
to fresh air.
CHARGING CYLINDERS
Cylinders may only be charged with clean, dry air according
to German Standart DIN 3188. After charged cylinders have
cooled down to ambient temperature, than check the
pressure to assume that maximum operating pressure is
maintained. If necessary, recharge the cylinders.
There must be no humidity in the connecting thread.
Completely empty (pressureless) cylinders must be dried.
This is required to prevent excess moisture inside the
cylinder.
One method of drying is to charge the
cylinders twice fully (up to permissable
pressure) with dry air from a compressor and
afterwards releasing the air again. At
discharging the valve must not freeze.

To prevent moisture in the cylinders,
Cylinders should not be totally discharged.
INSPECTION OF BA
MSC/Circular.850 - Guidelines for the Maintenance and
Inspection of Fire-Protection Systems and Appliances
Weekly testing and inspections :
breathing apparatus cylinders do not present leakages.

Annual testing and inspections :
breathing apparatus air recharging systems checked for air
quality

Five-year service :
hydrostatic testing for all SCBAs cylinders

SCBA IN 31.9 SECONDS