[Taiwanese Fire Safety Manual] Principles for safe use of air breathing apparatus

I. Introduction

When firefighters perform various disaster rescues, including indoor (external) fire extinguishing, confined space rescue, and disposal of dangerous substances in buildings, if air respirators cannot be used properly in places with toxic gas atmospheres or high temperatures and heavy smoke, The respiratory system is extremely vulnerable and may even be dangerous to people. Therefore, in the event of unpredictable disaster relief, as long as it is hazardous to life and health, personal protective equipment should be worn and air respirator should be used.

Positive pressure air respirator

In special circumstances that cannot be covered by this guiding principle ( unnormal environment ) , on-site personnel should make use of professional judgement, combining the overall situation of people, events, times, places and things, and make the most suitable disposal.

Second, the history of the case

1, time of occurrence: March 2000 X days.

2 , place of occurrence: XX Road XX Film and Television Institute.

3 , on-site situation:

Firefighters analysis of fire inside was trapped, firefighters xx Chen, Liu xx, xx rate Zhuo first enter the fire inside the search, 20 minutes later, came the explosion and the fire burned, Zhuo xx immediately withdraw from the scene, the fire has been deeply Chen xx Liao continue to search xx, xx inadequate Liao soon cylinder pressure fire exit, but Chen xx Unfortunately due to air in the cylinders is exhausted, and unable to escape the line of duty.

4. Casualties: One firefighter died.

5 , case analysis:

1. The team performing rescue missions must keep abreast of each other's cylinder pressure.

2. Always pay attention to the residual pressure in the bottle and properly estimate the time required for withdrawal. Therefore, it is very important to learn personal gas supply management.

3. If the residual pressure alarm sounds, immediately notify the peers to exit the dangerous area and refill the air.

Third, safety precautions

1,

Operators are required to receive professional training in the use of air respirator, as well as training related to emergency treatment and troubleshooting, and to use probable troubleshooting methods to ensure safety.

2,

Check the presence of air, the sound of the residual pressure alarm, and the connection of each valve. When replacing the cylinder, pay attention to whether the connector gasket is missing.

3,

Test the function of the air supply function check mask, supply valve and forced air supply valve, and confirm whether the supply valve is tightly integrated with the mask and whether it is loose. Wear tightly against the face and test for normal breathing; if necessary, close the cylinder valve and test that the mask is completely sealed.

4,

Check the pressure when opening the cylinder, avoid eye pressure gauge, first pressure gauge toward the ground, about 3 to 5 seconds after opening the cylinder , and then look at the pressure gauge display pressure, to prevent the old mirror in the open cylinder pressure gauge The pressure suddenly cracked the mirror and caused injuries.

5,

Shoulder straps and belts must be properly tightened to ensure that the back plate does not shake.

6,

When the cylinder is in use, the cylinder valve is fully opened to prevent the cylinder valve from being locked by collision or wire winding.

7,

The team performing rescue missions should keep track of each other's air volume. Always pay attention to the pressure inside the bottle and estimate the time required for withdrawal. To determine if the point of return is not complicated, check the air volume when wearing the mask before entering the danger zone and check again when reaching the target point. This allows the firefighter to know exactly how much air he has spent to reach the current location and how much air is needed. Return to the starting point.

8,

If the residual pressure alarm sounds, the peer should be notified immediately to exit the dangerous area and recharge the air. All members should withdraw, even if only one person has a residual pressure alarm.

9,

If you feel that you cannot breathe, check the pressure and cylinder valve immediately, press the forced air valve, and retreat to a safe place. If you cannot solve the problem, you should immediately send a distress signal.

10、

When the residual pressure warning device sounds, there is still 50 to 60 BAR of gas in the cylinder , but it may not be able to provide enough air to leave the dangerous environment. At this time, it will not panic. Do not take off the cover or supply valve in the dangerous place. It should be moved first. To a relatively safe environment. If the gas content of the cylinder is about to be exhausted, a symbiotic method can be adopted to connect the medium pressure supply pipe of the supply valve to the symbiotic joint with a large amount of air in the same group.

11.

It is not allowed to take the cylinder valve by hand, which may cause the cylinder to fall off.

12,

The cylinder body should avoid impact, drop, etc., so as to avoid damage to the inside and outside of the bottle body, damage to the valve structure of the cylinder, resulting in hazards. If any abnormality occurs, it should be immediately stopped and sent for inspection.

13,

Gas cylinders are kept clean and are not contaminated by oil. The cylinder valve must not be lubricated with oil to prevent high pressure gas (containing high pressure oxygen) from causing the oil to self-combustion.

14,

Wipe the parts with water and place them in a well-ventilated place. Do not wipe them with volatile liquids or solvents, and do not store them in a hot, humid, or exposed environment. (Part of the supply valve instrument is precise, it is not recommended to disassemble the cleaning)

15,

Soap and water or cleaning solution using the mask; wear masks to prevent the collision, the principle washed with water, neutral detergent if necessary to carry out washing.

16,

First check the cylinder for damage, scratches, discoloration due to heat, and depression of the surface of the cylinder. It is forbidden to fill cylinders with visible damage. Used cylinders should be checked for pressure and filled in time to prepare for the next disaster. When inflating, it should be filled according to the working pressure specified by the original factory. Overpressure is strictly prohibited. When assembling the gas cylinder with the back plate, pay attention to whether the joint gasket is missing. After the assembly is completed, open the cylinder valve to confirm that the assembly is leak-free and check that the pressure is normal.

17.

When the gas cylinder is placed, the gas cylinder valve can be vertically placed vertically, or the gas cylinder is placed horizontally, and the gas cylinder valve is prohibited to be placed upside down.

18.

Put the back straps and belts in place for convenient wear.

19.

Gas cylinders should be regularly sent to the inspection agency for inspection and testing in accordance with regulations. The cylinders should be deactivated when the inspection discovery date expires or exceeds the useful life.

20.

The components of the air respirator should be regularly inspected, replaced, and maintained according to the manufacturer's instructions.

V. Conclusion

Based on the above several cases and safety precautions, the following conclusions can be drawn:

1. Air respirator is a very important protective equipment for firefighters in the process of firefighting and rescue. Using a little carelessness may endanger the safety of firefighters. Therefore, strict implementation of maintenance and operation practices, proficiency in the use of air respirator, enhance knowledge and confidence in order to play its role in ensuring the safety of firefighters.

This article is sourced from the "Taiwanese Firefighters Handbook," which was reorganized and edited by China Rescue Equipment Network.