8 Main Components of a BA set
Carrier frame and harness
Power Module w/ Buddy lights, piezo speakers and Battery
Face mask with HUD
Demand valve
Control module
Buddy breather
Pressure reducer + mechanical low pressure warning whistle
Voice Projection speakers
Change of shift check for:
Carrier frame and harness
1) check quick release buckle
2) check green hand wheel is closed finger tight
3) check piezo speakers for debris
4) inspect mechanical whistle
5) check power module and pressure reducer are securely attached
6) Check battery is in place
7) shoulder straps and waist straps extended
8) buckles / buttons on shoulder strap are closed
9) BA tally tag is on left shoulder clip
Change of shift check for:
Battery module
- short lumbar support is in the lowest position, so the batteries accessible
- unlock the battery module with the battery removal tool
- push the removal tool into the side of the battery module
- pull the removal tool and the battery out
- check the battery module for visible damage and ensure the connection seal is in place and undamaged
- refit battery
Change of shift check for:
Face Mask
A) inspect the lens for cracks scratches, deformation and color change
B) check the face mask rubber for any damage, and that it is secured to the lens
C) check the hood is in place secured
D) inspect the face mask/demand valve connection for damage, ensure the two mushroom inhalation valves in place
E) inspect the nose to ensure two mushroom inhalation valves are in place and the nose cup is secured to the component housing
F) the exhalation valve is in place
G) insure all rubber head straps are fully extended and neck strap attached
H) the facemask is completely dry
Change of shift check for:
Demand Valve
A) ensure the debris is not present, especially inside the demand valve, the HUD lights, and in the microphone port
B) check the demand valve is completely dry
C) ensure the great O-ring and sealing are free of debris and not damaged or missing
D) ensure the red detachment button of the demand valve is left in the ‘park’ position by depressing the park button
Change of shift check for:
Control Module
A) check the displays for cracks and other visible damage
B) the buttons are not damaged or missing
C) check the hose assembly securely attached to the control module
D) check the needle gauge face on the gauge are clearly visible and stem not bent
E) check rubber housing is intact and correctly fitted
Change of shift check for:
Buddy breather
A) remove body breather from pouch, check integrity of hoses and ensure rubber caps are in place
B) there is no debris inside pouch
C) pack, buddy, breathing kit back into pouch and ensure it is securely fastened
Change of shift check for:
Battery status check
A) whilst in sleep mode press, and hold green control module reset button for four seconds
B) depending on icon display for the procedures for dealing with low battery
Change of shift check for:
Control Module software & electronic systems self test
A) check that the pressure gauge surround light comes on when the control module is lifted up
B) open the cylinder valve. The startup self test procedure will begin.
C) check that the graphical display pressure reading and analog gauge readings match within a 10 bar range
D) the control module fails a self test a white cross inside a red circle will be displayed.
i. Note the alarm code displayed on the LCD
ii. Remove the battery from the power module
iii. Close Cylinder valve fully
iv. Depressurize set.
v. Press a red button on the demand valve.
vi. Wait five seconds.
vii. Re-insert the battery
viii. Open the cylinder valve
ix. Recommend to start up test
x. If the Red Cross is displayed, and fall alarm, activates, shut the set down and remove from use
xi. Send a set in for service and repair
Change of shift check for:
Pressure Seal and demand valve check
A) ensure the cylinder is connected
B) open the cylinder valve fully and check operating pressure on pressure gauge
C) the pressure valve must read a minimum of 250 bar
D) remove the demand valve from the facemask
E) observe the LED display on demand valve
F) reattached the demand valve and insure correct connection with the facemask
G) close the cylinder valve
H) wait 60 seconds after 60 seconds the pressure drop in the pressure gauge must not exceed 10 bar
I) pressure has dropped less than 10 bar the check is successful.
J) if pressure has dropped more than 10 bar in 60 seconds, depressurize the set and remove the cylinder
K) check the high-pressure O-ring this present and ensure there is no debris in the valve or cylinder connection
L) reconnect the cylinder and conduct the tightness check again
M) if the set fails again, try another cylinder and if this fails, take the set out of operation tag and send for repair or prepare a fault report
Change of shift check for:
Voice projection Speaker
- Ensure the button is not damaged
- Ensure the speaker is free of dirt and debris
- Ensure the speaker is attached to the left shoulder strap
- W/ set pressurized, lightly depress the purge button to activate the microphones in the demand valve. Once activated double tap the demand valve and ensure the sound is emitted from the voice projection speaker
- Wait 10 seconds for the microphones to automatically shut down
- Depressurize the set and put into sleep mode
Describe the Carrier Frame and Harness
- Flame Retardant Composite Nylon
- 450kg rated grab handle/ eye lift handle (top one)
- 180kg rated carry handles
Harness: - Flame retardant retro- reflective Kevlar webbing
Describe the Face Mask w/HUD
- Polycarbonate wide view face mask with soft rubber reverse flange seal
- 5 point rubber head harness
- Self-sealing under positive pressure
- HUD contains 7 LEDS (6 in use) displaying:
1x Battery level
1x warning triangle
4x cylinder pressure dots
Describe the Control Module
- Has digital display and analog display
- Red manual Alarm button hold 3 sec
- 2 green reset buttons
- 4 motion alarm levels
- Displays BA self test status, cylinder pressure, airtime remaining, battery level, temp, all alarms
Describe Pressure reducer with mechanical low pressure warning whistle
- Reduces 300 bar cylinder pressure to intermediate pressure
- Flow capacity of the pressure reducer = 700LPM at Max flow
- This further reduced by the demand valve to respirable pressure of 1.3 bar (130kpa)
- whistle activates @ 55 +or- 5bar
- low pressure whistle has corresponding change in HUD, Control module and Buddy lights
- whistle does not rely on power from set
Order of Donning the BA
- Adjust the lumbar support
- Left arm through shoulder strap
- Right arm through shoulder strap
- Ensure shoulder straps are not twisted
- Chest strap
- Neck strap (between flashhood and skin)
- Bend forward and pull down shoulder straps
- Fasten waist belt
- Tuck in excess straps
- Check BA Tally tag is on left shoulder
How to check the face mask seal (donning procedure)
- Start breathing to activate first breath mechanism
- Breathe normally
- Hold breath
- Listen for audible leaks (no airflow a positive seal has been obtained)
- Grasp the demand valve and pull the face mask slightly away from the face
- Ensure that air flows freely
- Check the purge button function
Perform buddy breather procedure
Red, Red, Red procedure
1. Press the radio distress button for 2 second
2. Say “Red, Red, Red”
3. State your name and other FF
4. Give location or last known location
5. Detail assistance requi
Faulty Breathing Apparatus procedure
- Tell your OIC
- Remove the BA from the vehicle
- Complete a BA fault tag and attach it
- Arrange for a replacement BA set from your zone station
- Send the BA away as a complete unit including battery and face mask
Describe the power module
Acts as the central power source, supplying power to the entire BA
Buddy lights
Red, Yellow, Green
Piezo speakers
Two piezo alarm speakers min 100dB
Battery
Rechargeable Lithium Ion Battery w/O-ring
Describe the cylinder
Carbon fiber wrapped aluminum
- 6.8L water capacity
- weighs 7 kg when full
- Volumetric capacity of 2040 liters of compressed dry air at 300 Bar
- Is pressure tested at 450 bar every 5 years
Whole BA set weighs 14.67kg when fitted with a full 300 Bar cylinder
Describe the: Voice Projection Speaker
- Is on the left shoulder strap
- Amplifies and clarifies speech to min 75dB
- Powered automatically when the set is pressurized
Describe the Buddy Breather (Emergency share air procedure)
- Allows firefighters to quickly connect to and breathe from both air cylinders
- The provider requires min 150 Bar
- Upon connection the providers air will be used until both cylinders are the same and then will draw from both
Describe the Demand Valve
- The demand valve/demand regulator is a valve assembly that controls the flow of air into the face mask
- When the user inhales, low air pressure is created inside the mask = inlet valve to opening to allow air
- Connects to face mask, activates on 1st breath mechanism & maintains a positive pressure in the face mask whilst the BA is in use
Park Button
Pneumatic and electronic hose connection
Detachment button
Purge button
Microphone
