scope:

This standard shall specify minimum requirements for the selection, care, and maintenance of open-circuit selfcontained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and combination SCBA/supplied air respirator (SAR) that are used for respiratory protection during emergency operations in environments where the atmosphere is Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH), or could become oxygen deficient or IDLH.

This standard shall specify the requirements for SCBA models as detailed in Section 1.3 of this chapter.

For fire departments, this standard shall specify the requirements for the SCBA selection, care, and maintenance component of the respiratory protection program required in Section 7.10 of NFPA 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program.

This standard shall not specify requirements for any closed-circuit SCBA.

This standard shall not specify requirements for other respiratory protection program components of the organization such as SCBA training, appropriate use of SCBA for operations, and breathing air quality as these program components are under the jurisdiction of other NFPA standards.

This standard shall not specify requirements for accessories attached to the SCBA unless specifically addressed herein.

Nothing herein shall restrict any jurisdiction from exceeding these minimum requirements.

Purpose.

The purpose of this standard shall be to establish procedures as part of a program to provide care and maintenance for open-circuit SCBA and combination SCBA/SAR in order to reduce the safety risks and potential health risks associated with poorly maintained, contaminated, or damaged SCBA.

This standard shall also establish basic criteria for the evaluation and selection process associated with purchasing open-circuit SCBA to assure only SCBA that meet the requirements of NFPA 1981, Standard on Open-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for Emergency Services are acquired for use by emergency services organizations.