PPE CASE – Evaluation of Six Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus for Potential Contribution to a Fatal Event in the Fire Service
Wilmington Delaware Fire Department Request for five MSA Model Firehawk® M7 and one MSA Model G1 units
February 2017
NPPTL Report Number TN-21198
NIOSH evaluated six SCBAs used by six firefighters involved in a fatal event. The SCBAs were not found to contribute to the fatality.
A qualified service technician must inspect, repair, test, clean, and replace damaged components of any SCBA involved in an incident before it may be returned to service.
This report provides a summary of NPPTL’s inspection and evaluation methods and findings for the six self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs) used by the Wilmington Fire Department fire fighters during a fatal event. The SCBAs being used were five MSA Model Firehawk® M7, 4500 psi, 45 minute units and one MSA Model G1, 4500 psi, 45 minute unit. The Wilmington Fire Department was advised that NIOSH NPPTL would provide a written report of the investigation and any applicable test results.
Wilmington Delaware Fire Department Request for five MSA Model Firehawk® M7 and one MSA Model G1 units [PDF – 43 MB]
Suggested Citation
NIOSH [2017]. PPE CASE: Evaluation of Six Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus for Potential Contribution to a Fatal Event in the Fire Service. By Jeremy Gouzd and Angie Andrews. Evaluation and Testing Branch, National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia, NPPTL TN-21198.