Guidelines for Safe Use of Air Respirators

  1. Introduction  

When firefighting personnel are engaged in various disaster rescue operations, including indoor (outdoor) firefighting, confined space rescue, and hazardous material disposal, if they fail to use air respirators correctly in environments with toxic gases or where high temperatures and dense smoke prevail, their respiratory systems are highly vulnerable to injury, and may even pose a risk to their lives. Therefore, in unpredictable disaster rescue situations, as long as there is a risk to life and health, personal protective equipment should be worn, and air respirators should be used in coordination.

In situations not covered by this guidance (non-normal environments), on-site personnel should exercise professional judgment, taking into account the overall situation of people, events, timing, location, and materials, to make the most appropriate decisions.

  2. Historical Cases  

1.Occurrence Time: March 2000

2.Location: XX Cinema

3.Scene Description:

Firefighters analyzed that people were trapped inside the fire scene. Firefighters A, B, and C entered the fire scene to search. Twenty minutes later, an explosion occurred in the fire scene and flames erupted. Firefighter A immediately retreated from the fire scene. Firefighters B and C, who were already deep inside the fire scene, continued their search. Shortly after, firefighter C withdrew from the fire scene due to insufficient air pressure in the cylinder. Unfortunately, firefighter B, due to the depletion of air in the cylinder, was unable to escape and died in the line of duty.

4.Casualty Situation: 1 firefighter sacrificed.

5.Case Analysis:

①The team performing rescue tasks should always be aware of each other's cylinder pressures.

②Always pay attention to residual pressure in the cylinder and make appropriate estimates of the time required for withdrawal. Therefore, learning personal air supply management is crucial.

③If a residual pressure alarm sounds, immediately notify your companion to exit the danger zone and refill the air supply.

  3. Safety Precautions  

1.Professional Training: Operators must undergo professional training in the use of air respirators, as well as emergency procedures and troubleshooting, and become proficient in troubleshooting methods that may occur to ensure safety.

2.Inspection of Components: Check the air supply, residual pressure alarm device alarm sound, and the integrity of various valves. When replacing cylinders, pay attention to whether the joint gasket is missing.

3.Testing of Air Supply Function: Test the air supply function to check if the mask, supply valve, and demand valve are working properly. Confirm whether the supply valve is tightly connected to the mask and if there is any looseness. Wear the mask tightly on the face, test if breathing is normal; if necessary, close the cylinder valve and test if the mask is completely sealed.

4.Safety Inspection of Pressure Gauge: When opening the cylinder valve, avoid staring directly at the pressure gauge with your eyes. First, point the pressure gauge towards the ground, then, after opening the cylinder valve for about 3 to 5 seconds, check the pressure gauge to see the pressure displayed. This prevents injuries caused by the pressure gauge mirror breaking due to aging when opening the cylinder valve.

5.Proper Wearing of Air Respirator: Adjust the shoulder straps and waist belt to the appropriate tightness, and ensure that the backplate does not sway.

6.Fully Open Cylinder Valve: When using a cylinder, fully open the cylinder valve to prevent the cylinder valve from being locked due to collision or entanglement with wires.

7.Estimate Withdrawal Time: The team executing rescue tasks should always be aware of each other's air supply. Pay attention to the pressure inside the cylinder and estimate the time required for withdrawal. Deciding on a turnaround point is not complicated; you can check the air supply when wearing the mask before entering the danger zone and check again upon reaching the target location. This allows firefighters to know exactly how much air they have used to reach their current location and how much air they need to return to the starting point.

8.Enter and Exit Together: If the residual pressure alarm sounds, immediately notify your companions to exit the danger zone and refill the air supply. All members should exit together, even if only one person's residual pressure alarm sounds.

9.Handling When Unable to Breathe: If you feel unable to breathe, immediately check the pressure and cylinder valve, press the demand valve, and retreat to a safe place. If troubleshooting cannot be performed, immediately send out a distress signal.

10.Do Not Remove Mask and Supply Valve Easily: When the residual pressure alarm sounds, there is still 50 to 60 BAR of air in the cylinder, but it may not provide enough air to leave the hazardous environment. At this time, do not panic, do not remove the mask or supply valve in the hazardous area, but move to a relatively safe environment first. If the cylinder is about to run out of air, the demand valve can be connected to another team member's high-pressure hose connector using a buddy system.

11.Do Not Handle Cylinder Valve: Do not handle the cylinder valve with your hands, which may cause the cylinder to fall off and other dangers.

12.Avoid Cylinder Collision: The cylinder should be prevented from impact and dropping to avoid damage to the inside and outside of the cylinder, damage to the cylinder valve structure, and resulting hazards. If there are any abnormalities, stop using it immediately and send it for inspection.

13.Do Not Lubricate with Oil: Keep the cylinder clean and free from oil contamination. The cylinder valve should not be lubricated with oil to prevent combustion of oil by high-pressure gas (including high-pressure oxygen).

14.Clean Various Components: Wipe various components with clean water and place them in a well-ventilated place to dry. Do not wipe with volatile liquids or solvents, and do not store them in environments with high temperature, humidity, or exposure. (Some demand valve instruments are delicate and not recommended for disassembly and cleaning).

15.Clean the Mask: Clean the mask with water or a soap solution. Protect the mask from collision and abrasion. Generally, clean it with water, and use a neutral detergent if necessary.

16.Refill Cylinders: Check if the cylinder is damaged, scratched, discolored due to heat, or has dents on the surface before filling. Cylinders with visible damage should not be refilled. Used cylinders should be checked for pressure and refilled in time for the next disaster relief use. When filling, follow the manufacturer's specified working pressure and strictly prohibit overfilling pressure. When assembling the cylinder with the backplate, pay attention to whether the joint gasket is missing. After assembly, open the cylinder valve to confirm that there is no leakage and check if the pressure is normal.

17.Cylinder Storage: When placing the cylinder, place it vertically with the valve facing upwards, or horizontally. Do not place the cylinder upside down with the valve facing downwards.

18.Adjust the Backplate Straps: Adjust the shoulder straps and waist belt of the backplate to the appropriate position for easy wearing.

19.Regular Hydrostatic Testing of Cylinders: Cylinders should be inspected and tested by inspection agencies regularly according to regulations. If the inspection date has expired or exceeded the service life, the cylinder should be taken out of service.

20.Regular Maintenance: The components of the air respirator should be inspected, replaced, and maintained regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Air respirators are vital protective equipment for firefighters during firefighting and rescue operations, and even slight misuse can jeopardize firefighter safety. Therefore, strict implementation of maintenance and operational exercises, mastering the use of air respirators, and enhancing knowledge and confidence are essential to unleash its effectiveness and ensure firefighter safety.