PPE CASE – Evaluation of Two Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus for Potential Contribution to a Fatal Event in the Fire Service
Pineville, North Carolina Fire Department Request for Scott® Safety Air-Pak® 4.5, 4500 psi, 30 minute units with NIOSH Approval Number TC-13F-76CBRN
August 2016
NPPTL Report Number TN-20922
NIOSH evaluated two SCBA units used by fire fighters involved in a fatal event. The SCBAs were not found to contribute to the fatalities.
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 two SCBA units identified as Scott® Safety model Air[1]Pak® 4.5, 4500 psi, 30 minute, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
This SCBA status investigation was assigned NIOSH Task Number 20922. The NIOSH Division of Safety Research (NIOSH/DSR) and the Pineville Fire Department were advised that NIOSH/ NPPTL would provide a written report of the inspections and any applicable test results.
Pineville, North Carolina Fire Department Request for Scott® Safety Air-Pak® 4.5, 4500 psi, 30 minute units with NIOSH Approval Number TC-13F-76CBRN [PDF – 17 MB]
Suggested Citation
NIOSH [2016]. PPE CASE: Evaluation of Two 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-20922.