scope:

This standard shall contain minimum requirements for the training component of the Respiratory Protection Program found in NFPA 1500.

Purpose.

The purpose of this standard shall be to specify the minimum requirements for respiratory protection training for the emergency response organization, including safety procedures for those expected to be involved in fire suppression, rescue, and related activities in a toxic, contaminated, or oxygen-deficient atmosphere or environment.

The respiratory protection training program shall establish written operational policies and reinforce those policies through comprehensive training.

This standard shall be used to support the requirement of 5.3.1 of NFPA 1001. The goal of achievement of these objectives shall be to help prevent accidents, injuries, and exposure to harmful environments and to help develop an awareness of the critical importance of a respiratory protection program to the health and welfare of personnel who work in hazardous atmospheres.

It shall be possible to achieve many of the performance objectives of this standard in a variety of ways.