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PPE CASE – Evaluation of a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus for Potential Contribution to a Fatal Event in the Fire Service
Hamilton, Ohio Fire Department Request for Survivair Panther 30 minute, 4500 psig unit with NIOSH Approval Number TC-SU-5134-310
August 2016
NPPTL Report Number TN-20731
NIOSH evaluated one SCBA unit used by a fire fighter involved in a fatal event. The SCBA was not found to contribute to the fatality.
A qualified service technician should always inspect, repair, test, clean, and replace damaged components of any SCBA involved in an incident before it may be returned to service.
As part of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program (FFFIPP), the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) agreed to examine and evaluate a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) unit identified as Survivair Panther 30 minute, 4500 psig, SCBA.
This SCBA status investigation was assigned NIOSH Task Number 20731. The NIOSH Division of Safety Research (NIOSH/DSR) and the Hamilton Fire Department were advised that NIOSH/NPPTL would provide a written report of the inspections and any applicable test results.
Hamilton, Ohio Fire Department Request for Survivair Panther 30 minute, 4500 psig unit with NIOSH Approval Number TC-SU-5134-310 [PDF – 6 MB]
Suggested Citation
NIOSH [2016]. PPE CASE: Evaluation of a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus for Potential Contribution to a Fatal Event in the Fire Service. By Jeremy Gouzd and Karis Kline. Evaluation and Testing Branch, National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia, NPPTL TN-20731.