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PPE CASE – Evaluation of a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Involved in a Near Miss in the Fire Service
Birmingham Alabama Fire Department Request for a Scott® Safety Air-Pak® Model 4.5 unit
December 2016
NPPTL Report Number TN-21002
NIOSH evaluated an SCBA used by a fire fighter involved in a near miss incident. The SCBA was not found to contribute to the near miss.
A qualified service technician must 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) the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) agreed to examine and evaluate a Scott® Safety Air-Pak® model 4.5, 4500 psi, 30 minute, self-contained breathing apparatus.
This SCBA status investigation was assigned NIOSH Task Number 21002. The Birmingham Fire Department was advised that NIOSH NPPTL would provide a written report of the investigation and any applicable test results.
Birmingham Alabama Fire Department Request for a Scott® Safety Air-Pak® Model 4.5 unit [PDF – 3 MB]
Suggested Citation
NIOSH [2016]. PPE CASE: Evaluation of a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Involved in a Near Miss in the Fire Service. By Angie Andrews, Jeremy Gouzd, and Karis Kline of the Morgantown Testing Team, Evaluation and Testing Branch, National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia, NPPTL TN-21002.