SJRFD Policies 07-02-07, SCBA Maintenance and Repair Policy

Policy: 07-02-07
SCBA Maintenance and Repair Policy

Issued By:Operations

Purpose
This policy is intended to provide a guideline for the maintenance and repair of SJRFD Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), SCBA cylinders and associated equipment in accordance with NFPA1500, NFPA 1852 and the SJRFD SCBA Protection Program.

Background
The Fire Equipment Technician (FET) on staff is trained and certified to perform evaluations, repairs and maintenance procedures needed to ensure the SJRFD SCBA’s are in safe working order. Any procedures that are outside the FET’s scope of ability are out-sourced to certified third party providers who operate under CSA, ANSI, and NFPA guidelines. This policy outlines the requirements and procedures to be followed in order to maintain compliance with NFPA Standards related to SCBA repair and maintenance.

Policy Statement

Standards must be followed when maintaining and repairing all components of SCBA’s. The following guidelines are in place to ensure compliance in these areas:

1. SCBA Inspection and Repair

2. SCBA Cylinder Inspection and Repair

3. Annual SCBA testing and certification

SCBA Inspection and Repair

When any component of an SCBA is determined to need repair it will be sent to the office of the Fire Equipment Technician located in the Mt. Pearl station as per the ‘out of service’ procedure outlined in POG #07-02-04 - Proper Use and Care of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). The FET will perform a preliminary overall visual inspection (Appendix A) encompassing all parts and components of the SCBA regardless of the reason for being placed out of service.

Mask:

When an SCBA mask is received for repair by the FET, the following steps must be performed:

Remove and review the work order and confirm the correct information is included on slip to the mask number.

Reference and follow any instructions as outlined in the Manufacturers Repair/Maintenance Manual (located in the FET office at Mt. Pearl station).

Visually inspect mask for

1. Lens condition

2. Dirt/debris

3. Nosecup

4. Condition of the side rubber straps x 2

5. Condition of the head net and head net straps/cloth or rubber

6. Remove the air click and nozzle cover

7. Inspect all internal parts:

a. Nozzle

b. Exhalation valve

c. O-ring around nozzle

d. Speaking diaphragm

e. Valves

f. Mechanical Function of nozzle Spring

Any problems noted should be repaired or replaced as per Manufacturer Manual.

Clean all parts as per manufacturers instructions and reinstall onto face piece

Complete test before returning to service including:

1. Give mask a suction on face test

and final visual inspection.

2. Tag face piece as (good) and place outside office for pick up.

SCBA Harness:

When an SCBA harness is received for repair by the FET, the following steps must be performed:

Remove and review the work order and confirm the correct information is included on slip to the SCBA number.

Lay out SCBA on clean work bench

Reference and follow any instructions as outlined in the Manufacturers Repair/Maintenance Manual (located in the FET office at Mt. Pearl station).

Visually inspect all:

a) Straps

b) Belts

c) Connections

d) Hoses

e) Back frame, etc

Check work order problem against SCBA and do necessary repairs.

Make notes of all repairs done to SCBA on the SCBA work order.

File all paper work related to the SCBA repairs in filing cabinet (hard copy).

Assemble the SCBA components and test all functions of SCBA as per the manufacturer’s instructions and in accordance with NFPA 1852, Sect. 4.6.2.

Hang SCBA outside the FET office for return to service.

Retiring SCBA from Service:

Until parts are no longer available, any and all SCBAs can be repaired and serviced by the SJRFD. Should inspections or maintenance programs determine that an SCBA or SCBA component is to be retired from service the following protocol shall be followed:

The SCBA is to be disassembled

All usable parts to be re-inventoried

Documentation of the following information to be filed:

a) SCBA #

b) Serial #s

c) Damage that caused failure

d) Date

e) Technician

f) Disposal

g) Condemned

Defective item(s) are to be discarded by FET

SCBA to be classified condemned in computer system

All paper work (hard copy) to be completed and filed in the FET office.

SCBA Cylinder Inspection and Repair

The SJRFD Third Party responsible for testing the cylinder air for compliance with NFPA standards is Ackland’s Granger. They complete this testing every 6 months and provide the results to the Fire Equipment Technician via electronic copy. This detail is then kept in hard copy in the Fire Equipment Technician’s office and an electronic copy is saved in the shared drive located at: G:\Fire Equipment Technician\SCBA\Air Test Results. These records are to be kept for at least 5 years.

When an SCBA Cylinder is in need of re-filling or repair the following guidelines must be followed to ensure compliance with NFPA Standards:

1. Visual Inspection:

Refer to the Maintenance Manual (located in the FET office at Mt. Pearl station):

Inspect the cylinder for any signs of damage as indicated in NFPA 1852:

Scrapes

Cuts

Dents

Damage to threads

Damage to hand wheel

Any other signs of wear

If any dirt or debris is discovered during the visual inspection, clean with warm water and mild soap or MSA Confidence Plus SCBA Cleaner, and towel dry.

Do Not

refill any SJRFD cylinder if any damage is found. If damage is discovered, immediately drain the air, remove from service, place a note for repairs and notify the FET, or Duty Shift Superintendent.

Out of Service:

Do not refill any SJRFD cylinder if any damage is found. If damage is discovered:

Drain the air from it

Update the following information on the out of service tag:

a) Date of out of service

b) Name of F/F who noted damage

c) Description of malfunction/damage

d) Any other information which may be pertinent

Notify the SJRFD third party responsible – K&D Pratt, who are certified under NFPA guidelines for evaluation and condemning of cylinders.

Refill:

When a cylinder needs to be refilled it shall be stored in the rack next to SCBA refill panel located at the Mt. Pearl station. The following steps will apply:

Visually inspect cylinders. If there is dirt or debris on the tank, it must be cleaned off before refill takes place.

Check the date on masking tape located on the cylinder.

If the current date is before the date indicated on the label the cylinder is good to proceed with the refill.

If the current date is not before the date indicated on the label, then drain SCBA bottle to 2000 psi on the cylinder gauge by opening the valve slowly for 1/8 of a turn until approximately 2000 psi is achieved.

If the Cylinder is drained fully it will need to be visually inspected and hydrostatically tested due to no positive pressure in the cylinder.

Once the cylinder has reached approximately 2000psi:

Place cylinder in the refill station

Attach the valve as per the instructions provided on the station case.

Refill the cylinder to 4500 psi.

Replace dated masking tape to show new date as of 3 months from date of refill as per SJRFD Guideline for Replacing Air in SCBA Bottle

Place cylinder back into holder.

Record the following information from cylinder into the log book:

a) Cylinder #

b) Date of refill

c) Indicate if drained and refilled

d) User’s initials.

SCBA Cylinder Condemned and Retired from Service:

If a SCBA cylinder is deemed to need service after a suspected failure or damage, the following steps are to be taken:

Empty the cylinder of air

Visually inspect the outer shell and valve assembly for damage.

If the cylinder has sustained enough damage to be considered for retirement, the cylinder is to be delivered to a third party source certified under NFPA guidelines, for evaluation and recommendation.

Confirmation of the need of retirement of the damaged cylinder will be secured from the certified third party and all documentation to verify will be kept on file digitally on the City of St. John’s mainframe and hard copy at FET office at Mt. Pearl Station.

Upon return of the cylinder the FET will then remove valve from cylinder and drill at least two holes into the side walls of the cylinder, rendering it useless.

The cylinder will be disposed of appropriately.

ANNUAL SCBA TESTING AND CERTIFICATION

In accordance with NFPA 1852 Sect. 4.3.2.6., and using a certified SCBA assessment instrument (Posi-check Dynamic Breathing Machine), all SCBA in the SJRFD are to be rotated out of service, tested, repaired/retired and/or placed back into service annually. Each SCBA is tracked for testing by the system and by a tracker kept by the FET to ensure the SCBA is tested at least once per year.

The following steps are to be adhered to:

1. The computer program Posi-check machine is to be calibrated annually by a certified third party or individual that meets NFPA criteria.

2. The test is to include all components of the mask and SCBA

3. The test is to be run in accordance with the protocol set forth by the operating procedure within the system.

4. The digital test data is to be stored on the main frame of the City of St. John’s

5. All test data is to be stored as hard copy at the FET office at Mt. Pearl Fire Station.

6. Note: ONLY a technician, who bears certification to do so, is to operate the test equipment, effect repairs and record data generated by the test.

NOTE:
All Operational Guidelines are provided as a guideline only and may be altered by the OIC to meet extenuating circumstances.

Approvals
The Director/Chief of SJRFD

Responsibility
St. Johns Regional Fire Department POG #07-02-07 Approved By: Signature on File 2014-10-28 ___________________________ ___________________________ Jerry Peach Date Fire Chief Director of Regional Fire and Emergency Services

Appendix/Appendices

Appendix A – SCBA Visual Inspection Procedure

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