Without a doubt, the SCBA has greatly expanded the capacities of firefighters to perform aggressive interior searches, fire attack, hazmat operations and technical rescue while reducing the number of firefighter fatalities and injuries related to inadequate respiratory protection.

Equipment of such importance warrants close scrutiny. For example, how much change is necessary and to what extent will it help us as a fire service? NFPA 1981, Open Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus, underwent several changes with the 1997 and 2002 editions that have had a significant impact. The most notable changes were requirements for redundant low-pressure warning devices, heads-up display or a visual cue signifying the present amount of an air cylinder's rated capacity, and the rapid-intervention crew universal air coupling — all undoubtedly very important safety improvements.

It's time for another round. On Dec. 23, the NFPA Technical Correlating Committee released its proposed changes for the 2007 edition of NFPA 1981. The proposals will be open for comment until March 3, and the new edition of the standard is expected to be in effect in February 2007. Any units manufactured after that date must meet the requirements of the revised standard to be certified.

Since the proposed changes were announced, the fire service has shown a tremendous amount of confusion. For example, large amounts of federal grant money have been allocated for selected departments to upgrade their respiratory protection within certain time parameters. This time limit, combined with a soon-to-be-revised standard, can make the decision of what particular SCBA to purchase nothing less than a headache for a chief officer or purchasing committee.

What's on the agenda

Recently, representatives of two major SCBA manufacturers gave separate presentations on the changes proposed in the 2007 edition of NFPA 1981. Based on these presentations and a review of the proposed draft, the following issues will take center stage with the standard's new edition.

Electronics testing

The requirements set forward for the testing of electronic components of the SCBA will be much more severe. The 2007 edition will require the unit's electronic components to be placed in a 350°F environment for 15 minutes and then allowed to return to ambient temperature. The component then will submerged under 1.5 meters of water for two hours. This cycle will be repeated for a total of six times. To pass, the unit must both still function and pass an internal visual inspection for water intrusion.

CBRN-compliance

Test criteria have been established to assess the extent that chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear agents can penetrate or permeate through the SCBA's manufacturing materials. These guidelines were issued in January 2002 by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to prepare for possible terrorist incidents. Testing is performed over a six-hour period using mustard gas and sarin.

In addition, laboratory respirator protection level tests expose wearers of the unit to an atmosphere containing an aerosol of corn oil. Passing results require a protection factor of 500 or higher with the facepiece in negative-pressure mode. Many materials currently used in SCBA, such as silicon, won't meet these requirements, requiring other suitable materials to be used.

Heads-up display

The 2002 edition of NFPA 1981 introduced heads-up display parameters that required SCBA to have LED lights visible inside of the facepiece to indicate when the air cylinder's capacity was at 50%. A separate LED was required to indicate when the battery was low. The 2007 edition proposes a device with a separate power source to indicate cylinder pressure. It must be visible to the wearer and remain functionally independent of the HUD.

Communications

A change in the performance requirements outlined in the 2002 edition for communications also is being proposed. Testing is performed with five listeners repeating words heard through a speaker outfitted with the unit being tested. This is done with 70dB of background noise. A score higher than 72 was required for passing, but the proposed change for the 2007 edition will require a score of 85 with distances between the speaker and listeners being increased from 5 to 15 feet.

Compatibility

Cylinder interoperability is another concept being proposed for the 2007 edition of NFPA 1981. This proposed change has generated the majority of controversy and confusion amongst the fire service in relation to the standard.

Because the terrorism threat has raised the perceived need to provide air resources for responders at a large-scale incident, the 2007 edition proposes that an SCBA cylinder from one unit be compatible with any other brand available to the fire service. This concept has been recognized as a need for a long time, but it will present negatives as well as positives through the changeover period if accepted.

Presently, using components from different manufacturers will void warranties and NIOSH certifications on the original unit and may not even work. This proposed change would definitely provide the exception to this rule.

The fire service came close to SCBA interoperability in the 2002 edition of NFPA 1981, which required a rapid-intervention crew universal air coupling for firefighting. This connection allows a cylinder that's low on air to be trans-filled from another cylinder, regardless of manufacturer. Each cylinder has an equal amount of air after the fill. This universal connection must be permanently fixed to the unit within 4 inches of the SCBA cylinder valve's threads.

The next level of compatibility will be attainable only if every fire department complies, which won't be fiscally feasible in the short term. The success of this change may not be noticeable for a very long time as departments continue to use older SCBA. Without adapters, existing cylinders may not be compatible with SCBA units manufactured after the implementation of the revised standard, and new cylinders may not work with existing units. Over time, this interoperability proposal may help alleviate some of the issues with compatibility, but there will always be departments with budgets that won't allow new purchases or retrofits to take place all at once.

Final review

The NFPA Technical Committee on Respiratory Protection Equipment reviews every comment provided to them by affected parties once the process is open for comment. The committee files ballots on all actions, which require a two-thirds majority to pass.

If you agree or disagree with any of the proposed changes, file a Form for Comments on the Report on Proposals before March 3. Those submitting comments should include reasons or substantiation for their position.

To view the Report on Proposals, download the PDF from www.nfpa.org/Assets/Files/pdf/rop/1981-07-rop.pdf. To view additional information about NFPA 1981, visit www.nfpa.org/aboutthecodes/AboutTheCodes.asp?DocNum=1981.

Chiefs should make certain that firefighters in their departments are trained to a level that will help them feel both comfortable and confident in the SCBA that they use. In addition, solid skills in risk-benefit analysis go a long way on the fireground. Standards and improvements definitely help us make certain that our firefighters are given the proper equipment and tools to work safely, but without proper training they do not provide us with any advantage. Keep your people informed and trained on the equipment on which their lives depend.

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Jeffrey Pindelski is a battalion chief with the Downers Grove (Ill.) Fire Department and has been a member of the fire service for more than 16 years. He is a staff instructor for the College of DuPage and Downers Grove Fire Academy and a certified Instructor III and Fire Officer II through the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress. Pindelski has a graduate certificate in managerial leadership and a master's degree in public safety administration. He is the co-author of R.I.C.O. — Rapid Intervention Company Operations. Pindelski was a recipient of the State of Illinois Firefighting Medal of Valor in 1998 and has been published in several trade journals on various fire service — related topics.