Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Thermal Performance

USFA and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) are studying the thermal performance of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) face pieces to increase the protection provided by this equipment to firefighters.

The initial phase of the study will examine documented on-duty injuries and fatalities of firefighters due to thermal exposure of SCBA face pieces. Also during this phase, USFA and NIST will work with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1981 Open-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Technical Committee on identifying ways to enhance the operational effectiveness of SCBA face pieces. Finally, initial laboratory thermal testing of commercially available SCBA face pieces will be conducted.