SCBA Pressure Check

[resqteacher]

I have often been told that when doing a pre-use inspection on an SCBA, that if the cylinder pressure gauge and the chest gauge differ by more than 100 psi then there might be a problem with the pack. I find if pretty difficult to see the difference of only 100 psi on these gauges. Is this considered to be the standard or do any of you follow a different guideline?

[dentedhead]

I have often been told that when doing a pre-use inspection on an SCBA, that if the cylinder pressure gauge and the chest gauge differ by more than 100 psi then there might be a problem with the pack. I find if pretty difficult to see the difference of only 100 psi on these gauges. Is this considered to be the standard or do any of you follow a different guideline?

When I went through training I remember being told 10% difference.We just did training on our new SCBAs. Im sure that figure was mentioned again.

Dentedhead

[Scuba]

When I went through training I remember being told 10% difference.We just did training on our new SCBAs. Im sure that figure was mentioned again.

Dentedhead


We use 10% as well for PM's in both my department and haz equipment.

[iamvff]

FYI...tank must be at least 90% full, and guages must be with in 100psi of each other. If you are already in action and must use the tanks even though the guages do not read with in 100psi of each other, then make sure you use the lowest of the 2 reading in order to error on the side of caution. Hope this helps.

iamvff

[Scuba]

FYI...tank must be at least 90% full, and guages must be with in 100psi of each other. If you are already in action and must use the tanks even though the guages do not read with in 100psi of each other, then make sure you use the lowest of the 2 reading in order to error on the side of caution. Hope this helps.

iamvff

I prefer the one that's stuck on full... makes me feel better...like I was superman and could breath forever :D

[RoscoePColetrain]

Great info all around guys. I like the 10% idea.

[smoke286]

I believe our Dept policy did once say 100 psi, way back when we has 2216 cylinders. It has been 10% ever since. When we purchased our new SCBA two years ago, 10% was the manufacturers recomendation also.

[Ruckus]

10% is what our Level 1's get trained to look for, after 90% full.

On a 2216 this means anything north of 2000 is good, on a 4500 it's anything higher than 4050 is still usuable.

[fire16]

10 % easier to see than is 100 psi . On a side note, how many of you have had to replace HUD battery's due to low press line not being completely!! depressurized? Do you leave bypass open so that there can be no line press. while in standby mode?

[Ruckus]

10 % easier to see than is 100 psi . On a side note, how many of you have had to replace HUD battery's due to low press line not being completely!! depressurized? Do you leave bypass open so that there can be no line press. while in standby mode?


Yes, we've had that problem, the solution is apparently to trigger the respirator/regulator to open after closing the tank valve completely to bleed of residual pressure.

We also altered our SOPs for SCBA checks to include pressing the top and bottom buttons on the Mask Mounted Regulator before the user opens the tank valve to make sure the MMR is closed, to avoid accidentally venting precious precious air into the air.

Those systems really should use some sort of integrated rechargable battery though. I suspect they don't to maintain the full portability of the system, but you can really burn through batteries quick if you have a high call volume, or forget to discharge the lines after use.

[Toxic]

Our Interspiro BA's (which I hate by the way) don't have PSI's on the guages just full, 3/4, 1/2, and 1/4. Pretty hard to see the 100 PSI but that's what you tell the proctor when he's testing you...

[Airtech]

Hey guys, I work as a Fire Services Technician for a safety company and the pressure gauge issue always gets asked... its different depending on brand, I'm certified Draeger, Interspiro, ISI, MSA and Survivair, the sofware for the flow testing and quick checks vary, from 100 psi to 275psi, most allow a bigger difference at top pressure. As a firefighter.... if it reads any more than 10 %, I don't put it on. HUD batteries are expensive, aren't they? I generaly tell the depts I service to bleed the unit with the by-pass, then when they are stowing the unit, close the bp, and trigger the FBO, most of the units have a spring on the diaphram that when loaded keeps them compressed, stowing triggered taked the stress of the spring.... lower maint bill.