PPE CASE – Evaluation of a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus for Potential Contribution to a Fatal Event in the Fire Service
Houston, Texas Fire Department Request for Scott® Safety Air-Pak® 4.5, 4500 psi unit with NIOSH Approval Number TC-13F-212CBRN
August 2016
NPPTL Report Number TN-20842
NIOSH evaluated one SCBA unit used by a fire fighter involved in a fatal event. The SCBA was not found to contribute to the fatality.
A qualified service technician should always inspect, repair, test, clean, and replace damaged components of any SCBA involved in an incident before it may be returned to service.
As part of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program (FFFIPP), the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) agreed to examine and evaluate a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) unit identified as Scott® Safety model Air-Pak® 4.5, 4500 psi, 30-minute,SCBA.
This SCBA status investigation was assigned NIOSH Task Number 20842. The NIOSH Division of Safety Research (NIOSH/DSR) and the Houston Fire Department were advised that NIOSH/ NPPTL would provide a written report of the inspections and any applicable test results.
Houston, Texas Fire Department Request for Scott® Safety Air-Pak® 4.5, 4500 psi unit with NIOSH Approval Number TC-13F-212CBRN [PDF – 7 MB]
Suggested Citation
NIOSH [2016]. PPE CASE: Evaluation of a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus for Potential Contribution to a Fatal Event in the Fire Service. By Jeremy Gouzd. Evaluation and Testing Branch, National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia, NPPTL TN-20842.