SOP_NUMBER: 511.18
TITLE: Maintenance/Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
REFERENCE_CODE: IVN09-0005
DIVISION: Facilities
TOPIC_AREA: 511 Policy-Fire Services
EFFECTIVE_DATE: 2002-04-01
WORD_COUNT: 1501
POWERDMS_URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/105873
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/511.18/

SUMMARY:
This policy establishes guidelines for the inspection and maintenance of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) equipment used by Georgia Department of Corrections fire departments. It applies to all state and county fire departments and requires regular inspections before/after use, daily checks, monthly inspections, semiannual servicing, and annual cylinder inspections to ensure SCBA equipment functions properly and meets safety standards. The policy also covers breathing air quality requirements and cylinder maintenance procedures.

KEY_TOPICS: SCBA, self-contained breathing apparatus, breathing apparatus maintenance, SCBA inspection, cylinder pressure, low-air alarm, facepiece, regulator, breathing air quality, air compressor, cascade system, cylinder hydrostatic test, fire services equipment, respiratory protection, air contamination, NFPA standards

ATTACHMENTS:
  1. Monthly SCBA Inspection Form
     URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/511.18-att-1/

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FULL TEXT:
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|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**`Functional Area: `**<br>`SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE`<br>`SERVICES`|**`Reference Number: `**<br>`IVN09-0005`|**`Revises`**<br>**`Previous`**<br>**`Effective Date:`**<br>`NEW`|
|**`Subject:`**<br>`MAINTENANCE/SELF-CONTAINED`<br>`BREATHING APPARATUS`|||
|**`Authority:`**<br>`WETHERINGTON/HODGE`|**`Effective Date:`**<br>`4/01/02`|`Page`**`1`**` of`<br>**`6 `**|

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I. POLICY:

   This standard establishes guidelines for the inspection and
   maintenance of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). It
   was promulgated to:

   A. Provide a reasonable degree of assurance that an in      service SCBA will function properly.

   B. Require that any SCBAs that do not function properly be
      removed from service and repaired.

   C. Comply with the applicable rules, regulations, and
      standards concerning SCBA equipment.

II. APPLICABILITY:

   All Department of Corrections State and County Fire
   Departments.

III. RELATED DIRECTIVES:

   NFPA Standards 1981, and 1500, and 1404

IV. DEFINITIONS:

   A. SCBA - Self-contained breathing apparatus

   B. PSI -  Pounds per square inch

V. ATTACHMENTS:

   ATTACHMENT #1 Monthly SCBA Inspection Form

```

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VI. PROCEDURE:

   A. (General)

```





```
   1. All current SCBA equipment shall comply with the
      provisions of the edition of NFPA 1981, Standard on
      Open-circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus for
      the Fire Service, that was in effect at the time
      that the equipment was purchased.

   2. SCBA equipment shall also comply with the applicable
      rules, regulations, and standards promulgated by
      other appropriate agencies.

B. INSPECTION

   SCBA equipment shall be inspected periodically to
   determine its readiness for use and to discover and
   repair any damage or excessive wear sustained by the
   unit. The frequency of inspection is as follows:

   1. Before and after each use:

      a. Before each use, each SCBA assigned to an
         apparatus should be inspected for the
         following:

         1) Cylinder pressure : The minimum pressure
            should not fall below 90 percent of the
            full cylinder pressure. Example: A
            4,500-psi cylinder should not contain less
            than 4,050 psi.

         2) Low-air alarm : This should sound when the
            cylinder valve is opened.

         3) Facepiece:  This should be clean and free
            of debris, and it should seal properly to
            the wearer’s face.

         4) Exhalation valve, bypass valve, and
            operation: All should function normally.

      b. After each use, each SCBA shall be inspected
         for the following:

```

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      1) Low or empty cylinder:  Cylinders should
         be cleaned, low cylinders should be
         refilled, and empty cylinders should be
         replaced with fully charged ones.

      2) Components and facepieces:  Shall be
         cleaned, checked for excessive wear or
         damage, sanitized, and checked for proper
         function.

      3) Caution:  Anytime an SCBA has been used in
         a contaminated atmosphere, the unit shall
         be completely decontaminated prior to
         being returned to service.

2. Daily Inspection

   a. Each piece of SCBA equipment assigned to an
      apparatus shall be inspected at the beginning
      of each day and after every use.

   b. The inspection shall be made to ensure that the
      SCBA is fully charged, clean, free of damage,
      and fully operational.

   c. Cleaning, refilling cylinders, or minor repair
      shall be done by the driver of the apparatus as
      needed under the supervision of the Station
      Chief.

   d. Any unit showing damage or that does not
      function properly shall be removed from service
      and red-tagged with a description of the
      defect.

3. Monthly inspection:

   The inspection shall consist of those items listed
   on the Monthly SCBA Inspection Form.

   a. The monthly inspection shall be performed on
      the first day of each month. Any unit that
      fails the inspection and that cannot
      immediately be repaired shall be red-tagged
      with the description of the defect, and the
      unit shall be placed out of service.

```

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      b. All spare cylinders and SCBA units shall also
         be inspected.

   4. Semiannual inspection:

      All SCBAs shall be inspected and serviced every six
      months by the Station Chief or by an authorized
      repair facility.

      The inspection and servicing shall include the
      following:

      a. Disassembly and cleaning of the regulator and
         other major components, such as the low-air
         alarm, facepiece, etc.

      b. Replacement of all worn parts.

      c. Reassembly of the SCBA and testing for proper
         function.

   5. Annual inspection:

      Internal inspections of SCBA cylinders shall be
      performed annually to determine any condition that
      may contribute to the deterioration of a cylinder.
      Checks shall be made for rust, corrosion, moisture,
      damage, and evidence of oil or hydrocarbon
      contamination.

C. BREATHING AIR SUPPLIES

   1. All breathing air produced for use in an SCBA shall
      comply with the testing and quality requirements of
      the Compressed Gas Association G-7.1 Commodity
      Specifications for Air, for Grade D Air. Tests
      shall be conducted quarterly by an independent
      testing service to determine whether the air quality
      meets or exceeds these requirements. The test
      results shall be filed and posted.

   2. The breathing air that is produced by the Station’s
      compressor meets the air quality standards for SCBA
      equipment.

```

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3. Any air cylinder suspected of containing
   contaminated air or air that does not meet the air
   quality standards should be emptied and purged.

4. Any air cylinder that is not used within a period of
   three months shall be emptied and refilled.

5. All SCBA cylinders shall be maintained at 90 percent
   of their rated storage capacity as stamped on the
   cylinder. Cylinders containing less than 90 percent
   of their rated capacity shall be segregated from
   full cylinders until they are refilled.

6. The Station Chief shall ensure that all fire
   suppression personnel are capable of properly
   operating all breathing air compressors and cascade
   systems. Proper operating procedures and
   precautions shall be posted in a conspicuous
   location at each fill station.

7. Prior to filling a cylinder, personnel shall
   visually inspect all cylinders to ensure that none
   are damaged or defective and that they are within
   the current hydrostatic test date. Defective or
   out-of-date cylinders shall not be filled and shall
   be removed from service. (NFPA 1500, Standard on
   Fire Department Occupational safety and Health
   Program, 5-3.7.3 requires that cylinders be
   hydrostatically tested within the applicable periods
   specified by the manufacturer and the applicable
   government agency. For example, if a manufacturer
   required a cylinder to be tested every five years
   and the last test date on the cylinder was 5/91 and
   the inspection took place on 9/97, the cylinder
   would be out of date and would have to be tested
   prior to being filled.)

8. All cylinders shall be refilled in accordance with
   the recommendations of the manufacturer.

9. Breathing air compressors shall not be operated in a
   contaminated atmosphere. Prior to operation,
   personnel shall ensure that the intake area is free
   of obvious contaminants. Air shall not be taken

```

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      while any apparatus motor is running near an intake
      area.

D. RECORDS

   1. The Station Chief shall ensure that the following
      records are kept:

      a. A complete inventory of all SCBA units,
         cylinders, cascades, fill stations, special
         tools, spare parts, and related equipment.

      b. Individual records for each regulator and
         harness assembly. The records shall include
         inventory and serial numbers, date of purchase,
         vendor, manufacturer, maintenance and repair
         history, history of parts replacement,
         upgrades, and performance tests.

      c. Individual records shall be kept for each
         cylinder. The records shall include inventory
         or serial numbers, date of purchase, vendor,
         manufacturer, hydrostatic test dates, and a
         history of inspection and repair.

      d. Individual maintenance and repair records shall
         be kept for each breathing air compressor,
         cascade system, fill station, purification
         system, and any ancillary equipment used to
         produce or store breathing air.

   2. The Station Chiefs shall also keep a permanent file
      of all quarterly air quality tests.

E. RESPONSIBILITIES

   1. The District Chief shall be responsible for the
      management and oversight of the SCBA inspection and
      maintenance program, including all cascade systems,
      breathing air compressors, and the mobile cascade
      systems carried on the rehab unit. The Station
      Chief shall ensure the timely repair of any
      defective piece of SCBA equipment.

```

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2. Station Chiefs shall be responsible for the care and
   maintenance of the SCBAs, cascade systems, and
   breathing air compressors assigned to their command.

3. Every person assigned to fire suppression duty shall
   be responsible for knowing how to use and care for
   the SCBAs assigned to his apparatus. In addition,
   each firefighter shall be issued his own individual
   SCBA facepiece. The facepiece shall be kept clean
   and in proper working condition.

4. It is the duty of each individual to promptly report
   and correct any deficiencies found with any piece of
   SCBA equipment. If the equipment cannot immediately
   be repaired, the equipment shall be taken out of
   service

```