NFPA 1986 Respiratory Protection Equipment for Tactical and Technical Operations

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NOTICE: An asterisk (*) following the number or letter designating a paragraph indicates that explanatory material on the paragraph can be found in Annex A.

A reference in brackets [ 1 following a section or paragraph indicates material that has been extracted from another NFPA document. As an aid to the user, the complete title and edition of the source documents for extracts in mandatory sections of the document are given in Chapter 2 and those for extracts in informational sections are given in Annex C. Extracted text may be edited for consistency and style and may include the revision of internal paragraph references and other references as appropriate. Requests for interpretations or revisions of extracted text shall be sent to the technical committee respon­sible for the source document.

Information on referenced publications can be found in Chapter 2 and Annex C.

Chapter 1 Administration

1.1 Scope.

1.1.1* This standard shall specify the minimum requirements for the design, performance, testing, and certification of (1) new compressed breathing air open-circuit self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and compressed breathing air combination open-circuit self-contained breathing apparatus and supplied air respirators (SCBA/SARs); and (2) replace­ment parts, components, and accessories for those respirators.

• This standard shall not specify requirements for respira­tory protection equipment that is used for fire-fighting opera­tions.

1.1.4 This standard shall not specify requirements for other types of SCBA.

1.1.5* This standard shall not specify requirements for any accessories that could be attached to the certified product that are not certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

• This standard shall not establish criteria for SCBA for underwater operations.
• This standard shall not establish criteria for protection from ionizing radiation.
• This standard shall not be construed as addressing all the safety concerns associated with the use of compliant SCBA and combination SCBA/SARs. It shall be the responsibility of the persons and organizations that use compliant SCBA and combination SCBA/SARs to establish safety and health practi­ces and to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
• This standard shall not be construed as addressing all the safety concerns, if any, associated with the use of this stand­ard by testing facilities. It shall be the responsibility of the persons and organizations that use this standard to conduct testing of SCBA and combination SCBA/SARs to establish safety and health practices and to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to using this standard for any designing, manufacturing, and testing.
• Nothing herein shall restrict any jurisdiction or manu­facturer from exceeding these minimum requirements

1.2.1 The purpose of this standard shall be to establish mini­mum levels of SCBA performance for respiratory protection of emergency services personnel in non-fire-fighting operations in atmospheres that are categorized as immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH).

1.2.2* Controlled laboratory tests used to determine compli­ance with the performance requirements of this standard shall not be deemed as establishing performance levels for all respi­ratory protective situations and IDLH atmospheres to which personnel can be exposed.

1.2.3 This standard shall not be interpreted or used as a detailed manufacturing or purchase specification but shall be permitted to be referenced in purchase specifications as mini­mum requirements

1.3.1 This standard shall apply to all open-circuit SCBA and combination SCBA/SARs used by emergency services organiza­tions for respiratory protection of its personnel during but not limited to rescue, hazardous materials response, tactical law enforcement operations, confined space entry, terrorist inci­dent response, and similar operations where oxygen deficiency, particulates, toxic products, products of combustion, or other IDLH atmospheres exist or could exist at the incident scene.

1.3.1.1* If the SCBA is equipped with an emergency breathing safety system (EBSS), the EBSS performance requirements set forth in this standard shall apply only to open-circuit SCBA and combination SCBA/SARs used by emergency services person­nel for respiratory protection of its personnel during the appli­cations listed in 1.3.1

• This standard shall apply to the design, manufacturing, testing, and certification of new open-circuit SCBA and combi­nation SCBA/SARs.
• This standard shall not apply to accessories that can be attached to an open-circuit SCBA and combination SCBA/ SARs but are not certified by NIOSH for use with that specific SCBA or combination SCBA/SARs.
•  
• This standard shall not apply to closed-circuit SCBA

1.3.6* This standard shall not apply to the use of SCBA and combination SCBA/SARs.

1.4 Units.

• In this standard, values for measurement are followed by an equivalent in parentheses, but only the first stated value shall be regarded as the requirement.
• Equivalent values in parentheses shall not be considered as the requirement because those values might be approxi­mate.

Chapter 2 Referenced Publications

• The documents or portions thereof listed in this chapter are referenced within this standard and shall be considered part of the requirements of this document.
• NFPA Publications. National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471.

NFPA 1971, Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting 2013 edition.

NFPA 1989, Standard on Breathing Air Quality for Emergency Services Respiratory Protection, 2013 edition.

NFPA 1994, Standard on Protective Ensembles for First Responders to CBRN Terrorism Incidents, 2012 edition.

• Other Publications.
  • ANSI Publications. American National Standards Insti­tute, Inc., 25 West 43rd Street, 4th floor, New York, NY 10036.

ANSI/ASA S3.2, Method for Measuring the Intelligibility of Speech over Communication Systems, 2009 (R2014).

• ASTM Publications. ASTM International, 100 Ban- Harbor Drive, P. O. Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959.

ASTM B117, Standard Test Method for Salt Spray (Fog) Testing, 2003.

ASTM D1003, Standard Test Method for Haze and Luminous Transmittance of Transparent Plastics, 2000.

• EBU Publications. European Broadcasting Union, Department of Technology & Innovation, LAncienne-Route 17A, CH-1218 Grand-Saconnex, Geneva, Switzerland.

EBU Technical Recommendation R68, Alignment level in digi­tal audio production equipment and in digital audio recorders, 2000.

• EN Publications (CEN). European Committee for Standardization Central Secretariat, rue de Stassart 36, B 1050 Brussels, Belgium.

EN 136, Respiratory protective devices — Full face masks — Requirements, testing marking, 1998.

• IEC Publications. International Electrotechnical Commission, 3, rue de Varembe, P.O. Box 131, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland.

IEC 60268, Sound System Equipment — Part 16: Objective Rating of Speech Intelligilnlity by Speech Transmission Index, 2003.

• ISO Publications. International Organization for Stand­ardization, 1, rue de Varembe, Case postale 56, CH-1211 Geneve 20, Switzerland.

ISO Guide 27, Guidelines for corrective action to be taken by a certification body in the event of misuse of its mark of conformity, 1983.

ISO 9001, Quality management systems — Requirements, 2005.

I SO/IEC 17000, Conformity assessment — Vocabulary and general principles, 2004.

ISO/IEC 17011, Conformity assessment — General requirements for accreditation bodies accrediting conformity assessment bodies, 2004.

ISO/IEC 17021, Conformity assessment — Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems, 2011.

ISO/IEC 17025, General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, 2005.

ISO/IEC 17065, Conformity assessment — Requirements for bodies certifying products, processes and services, 2012.

• UL Publications. Underwriters Laboratories Inc., 333 Pfingsten Road, Northbrook, IL 60062-2096.

ANSI/UL 913, Standard for Intrinsically Safe Apparatus and Associated Apparatus for Use in Class I, II, and III, Division 1 Hazardous (Classified) Locations, Sixth edition.

• S. Government Publications. U.S. Government Print­ing Office, Washington, DC 20402.

Statement of Standard for NIOSH CBRN SCBA Testing, 2002.

Title 42, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 84, “Approval of Respiratory Protective Devices,” 1 October 2004.

• Other Publications.

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th edition, Merriam- Webster, Inc., Springfield, MA, 2003.

2.4 References for Extracts in Mandatory Sections. (Reserved)

Chapter 3 Definitions

• The definitions contained in this chapter shall apply to the terms used in this standard. Where terms are not defined in this chapter or within another chapter, they shall be defined using their ordinarily accepted meanings within the context in which they are used. Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th edition, shall be the source for the ordinarily acceptecl meaning.
• NFPA Official Definitions.

3.2.1* Approved. Acceptable to the authority having jurisdic­tion.

3.2.2* Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). An organization, office, or individual responsible for enforcing the requirements of a code or standard, or for approving equipment, materials, an installation, or a procedure.

3.2.3 Labeled. Equipment or materials to which has been attached a label, symbol, or other identifying mark of an organ­ization that is acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction and concerned with product evaluation, that maintains peri­odic inspection of production of labeled equipment or materi­als, and by whose labeling the manufacturer indicates compliance with appropriate standards or performance in a specified manner.

3.2.4* Listed. Equipment, materials, or services included in a list published by an organization that is acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction and concerned with evaluation of products or services, that maintains periodic inspection of production of listed equipment or materials or periodic evalua­tion of services, and whose listing states that either the equip­ment, material, or service meets appropriate designated standards or has been tested and found suitable for a specified purpose.

• Indicates a mandatory requirement.
• Indicates a recommendation or that which is advised but not required.
• An NFPA Standard, the main text of which contains only mandatory provisions using the word “shall” to indicate requirements and that is in a form generally suitable for mandatory reference by another standard or code or for adoption into law. Nonmandatory provisions are not to be considered a part of the requirements of a standard and shall be located in an appendix, annex, footnote, informational note, or other means as permitted in the NFPA Manuals of Style. When used in a generic sense, such as in the phrase “standards development process” or “standards development activities,” the term “standards” includes all NFPA Standards, including Codes, Standards, Recommended Guides, and Guides.

3.3 General Definitions.

• Any item that could be attached to a certified product but that is not necessary for the certified product to meet the requirements of the standard.
• Third-party attestation related to a conformity assessment body conveying formal demonstration of its competence to carry out specific conformity assessment tasks. These tasks include sampling and testing, inspection, certification, and registration. [ISO/IEC 17000, 2004]
• Atmosphere-Supplying Respirator. A respirator that supplies the user with breathing air from a source independent of the ambient atmosphere and includes a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and/or a supplied air respirator (SAR). [See also 3.3.13, Combination SCBA/SAR; 3.3.56, Self- Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA); and 3.3.64, Supplied Air Respirator (SAR).]
• Systematic, independent, documented process for obtaining records, statements of fact or other relevant infor­mation and assessing them objectively to determine the extent to which specified requirements are fulfilled. [ISO/IEC 17000, 20041
• Breathing Air. See 3.3.17, Compressed Breathing Air.
• Breathing Air Cylinder. The pressure vessel or vessels that are an integral part of the SCBA and that contain the breathing gas supply; can be configured as a single cylinder or other pressure vessel or as multiple cylinders or pressure vessels.
• Breathing Air/Gas Container. See 3.3.6, Breathing Air Cylinder.
• A system whereby a certification organiza­tion determines that a manufacturer has demonstrated the ability to produce a product that complies with the require­ments of this standard, authorizes the manufacturer to use a label on listed products that comply with the requirements of this standard, and establishes a follow-up program conducted by the certification organization as a check on the methods the manufacturer uses to determine continued compliance of labeled and listed products with the requirements of this stand­ard.
• Certification Organization. An independent third-party organization that determines product compliance with the requirements of this standard with a labeling/listing/follow-up program.
• The resultant condition of a product having undergone certification in accordance with the requirements of this standard. (See also 3.3.43, NIOSH Certified.)
• The formation of a brittle residue when material is exposed to thermal energy.
• Closed-Circuit SCBA. A recirculation-type SCBA in which the wearer rebreathes exhaled gas after the carbon diox­ide has been removed from the exhalation gas and the oxygen content within the system has been restored from sources such as compressed breathing air, chemical oxygen, liquid oxygen, or compressed gaseous oxygen.

3.3.13* Combination SCBA/SAR. An atmosphere-supplying respirator that supplies a respirable atmosphere to the user from a combination of two breathing air sources that both are independent of the ambient environment. [See also 3.3.3, Atmosphere-Supplying Respirator; 3.3.56, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA); and 3.3.64, Supplied Air Respirator (SAR).]

• The condition of meeting or exceeding all applicable requirements of this standard.
• Meeting or exceeding all applicable requirements of this standard.

3.3.16* Component. Any material, part, or subassembly used in the construction of the compliant product.

3.3.17* Compressed Breathing Air. A respirable gas mixture derived from normal atmospheric air or from manufactured synthetic air, stored in a compressed state in storage cylinders and respirator breathing air cylinders, and supplied to the user in a gaseous form.

• See 3.3.6, Breathing Air Cylinder.
• Demand SCBA. See 3.3.42, Negative Pressure SCBA.
• To run or fall in drops or blobs.
• Emergency breathing safety system.
• Emergency Breathing Safety System (EBSS). A device on an SCBA that allows users to share their available air supply in an emergency situation.
• End-of-Service-Time Indicator (EOSTI). A warning device on an SCBA that warns the user that the end of the breathing air supply is approaching.
• End-of-service-time indicator.
• Fabric Component. Natural or synthetic material of combination of materials that is pliable and made by weaving, felting, forming, or knitting.
• The component of an SCBA that covers the wearer’s nose, mouth, and eyes.
• Follow-up Program. The sampling, inspections, tests, or other measures conducted by the certification organization on a periodic basis to determine the continued compliance of labeled and listed products that are being produced by the manufacturer to the requirements of this standard.
• Matter in a gaseous state at standard temperature and pressure.
• Head and torso simulator.
• Light that is scattered as a result of passing through a transparent object.
• Head and Torso Simulator (HATS). A mannequin with built-in ear and mouth simulators that provides a realistic reproduction of the acoustic properties of an average adult human head and torso.
• Heads-Up Display (HUD). Visual display of informa­tion and system condition status visible to the wearer.
• Heads-up display.
• Identical SCBA. SCBA that are produced to the same engineering and manufacturing specifications.
• Examination of a product design, product, process or installation and determination of its conformity with specific requirements or, on the basis of professional judgment, with general requirements. [ISO/EEC 17000, 20041
• The entity that directs and controls any of the following: compliant product design, compliant product manufacturing, or compliant product quality assurance; also, the entity that assumes liability for the compliant product or provides the warranty for a compliant product.
• A response to heat by a material resulting in evidence of flowing or dripping.
• Microphone Measurement Point (MMP). A point 1.5 m in front of and on the axis of the lip position of typical human mouth (or artificial mouth) and 1.5 m above the floor.
• Microphone measurement point.
• Mouth Reference Point (MRP). A point 50 mm in front of and on the axis of the lip position of a typical human mouth (or artificial mouth).
• Mouth reference point.
• Negative Pressure SCBA. An SCBA in which the pres­sure inside the facepiece, in relation to the pressure surround­ing the outside of the facepiece, is negative during any part of the inhalation or exhalation cycle when tested by NIOSH in accordance with 42 CFR 84.

3.3.43* NIOSH Certified. Tested and certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Serv­ices in accordance with the requirements of 42 CFR 84, Subpart H.

• Open-Circuit SCBA An SCBA in which exhalation is vented to the atmosphere and not rebreathed.
• Pink Noise. Noise that contains constant energy per octave band.
• Positive Pressure SCBA See 3.3.47, Pressure Demand SCBA.
• Pressure Demand SCBA An SCBA in which the pres­sure inside the facepiece, in relation to the pressure surround­ing the outside of the facepiece, is positive during both inhalation and exhalation when tested by NIOSH in accord­ance with 42 CFR 84, Subpart H.

3.3.48* Product Label. A marking provided by the manufac­turer for each compliant product containing compliance state­ments, certification statements, manufacturer and model information, or similar data.

• Rapid Intervention Crew/Company Universal Air Connection (RIC UAC). A system that allows emergency replenishment of breathing air to the SCBA of disabled or entrapped fire or emergency services personnel.
• Rated Service Time. The period of time, stated on an SCBA’s NIOSH certification label, that the SCBA supplied au­to the breathing machine when tested to 42 CFR 84, Subpart H.
• Rapid intervention crew/company.
• (1) Product, component, or accessory randomly selected from the manufacturer’s production line, the manufacturer’s inventory, or the open market. (2) Product, component, or accessory that is conditioned for testing. (See also 3.3.60, Specimen.)
• SAR Supplied air respirator.
• SCBA Self-contained breathing apparatus.
• SCBA/SAR. Self-contained breathing apparatus/ supplied air respirator. [See also 3.3.13, Combination SCBA/SAR; 3.3.56, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA); and 3.3.64, Supplied A ir Respirator (SAR). ]

3.3.56* Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). An

atmosphere-supplying respirator the breathing air source of which is designed to be carried by the user.

• Service Life. The period for which compliant product should be useful before retirement.
• Service Time. See 3.3.50, Rated Service Time.
• Sound Pressure Level (SPL). The local pressure devia­tion from the ambient (average, or equilibrium) atmospheric pressure caused by a sound wave.
• The conditioned product, component, or accessory that is tested. Specimens are taken from samples. (See also 3.3.52, Sample.)
• Speech Transmission Index (STI). A measure of intelli­gibility of speech quality on a scale of intelligibility, the values of which vary from 0 (completely unintelligible) to 1 (perfect intelligibility).
• Sound pressure level.
• Speech transmission index.

3.3.64* Supplied Air Respirator (SAR). An atmosphere- supplying respirator for which the source of breathing air is not designed to be carried by the user; also known as an airline respi­rator. [See also 3.3.3, Atmosphere-Supplying Respirator; 3.3.13, Combination SCBA/SAR; and 3.3.56, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).]

• Synthetic Breathing Air. Manufactured breathing air produced by blending nitrogen and oxygen. (See also 3.3.17, Compressed Breathing Air.)
• Determination of one or more characteristics of an object of conformity assessment, according to a proce­dure. Testing typically applies to materials, products or processes. [ISO/EEC 17000, 20041
• Universal air connection.
• Universal Air Connection (UAC). The male fitting affixed to the SCBA and the female fitting affixed to the filling hose that allow emergency replenishment of breathing air to an SCBA breathing air cylinder. Also known as Rapid Interven­tion Crew/Company Universal Air Connection.
• A grouping of subassemblies (i.e., compo­nents) having common functional and/or design characteris­tics, the assembly of multiple variants of which results in an SCBA model configuration.

Chapter 4 Certification

4.1 General.

• The process for certification of SCBA as being compliant with NFPA 1986 shall meet the requirements of Section 4.1, General; Section 4.2, Certification Program; Section 4.3, Inspections and Testing; Section 4.4, Recertification; Section 4.5, Manufacturers’ Quality Assurance Program; Section 4.6, Hazards Involving Compliant Product; Section 4.7, Manufacturers’ Investigation of Complaints and Returns; and Section 4.8, Manufacturers’ Safety Alert and Product Recall Systems.
• Prior to certification of SCBA to the requirements of this standard, the SCBA shall be NIOSH certified.
• SCBA shall have NIOSH certification as positive pres­sure.
• SCBA that are NIOSH certified as positive pressure but that are capable of supplying air to the user in a negative pres­sure demand-type mode shall not be certified to this standard.
• SCBA and accessories that are certified as compliant with NFPA 1986 shall also be certified by NIOSH as compliant with the Statement of Standard for NIOSH CBRN SCBA Testing.
• All SCBA that are labeled as being compliant with this standard shall meet or exceed all applicable requirements specified in this standard and shall be certified. This certifica­tion shall be in addition to, and shall not be construed to be the same as, the NIOSH certification specifically defined in 3.3.43.
• All certification shall be performed by a certification organization that meets at least the requirements specified in Section 4.2, Certification Program, and that is accredited for personal protective equipment in accordance with ISO/IEC 17065, Confonnity assessment — Requirements for bodies certifying products, processes and services.
• Manufacturers shall not claim compliance with a portion (s) or segment(s) of the requirements of this standard and shall not use the name or identification of this standard, NFPA 1986, in any statements about their respective product(s) unless the product(s) is certified as compliant with this stand­ard.
• All compliant SCBA shall be listed by the certification organization, and the listing shall uniquely identify the certi­fied product by, at a minimum, style or model number.
• All compliant SCBA shall have a product label that meets the requirements specified in Chapter 5.
• The certification organization’s label, symbol, or identi­fying mark shall be attached to the product label, shall be part of the product label, or shall be immediately adjacent to the product label.

4.2 Certification Program.

4.2.1* The certification organization shall not be owned or controlled by manufacturers or vendors of the product being certified.

• The certification organization shall be primarily engaged in certification work and shall not have a monetary interest in the product’s ultimate profitability.
• The certification organization shall be accredited for personal protective equipment in accordance with ISO/IEC 17065, Conformity assessment – Requirements for bodies certifying products, processes and services, and the accreditation shall be issued by an accreditation body operating in accordance with ISO/IEC 17011, Conformity assessment — General requirements for accreditation bodies accrediting conformity assessment bodies.
• The certification organization shall refuse to certify products to this standard that do not comply with all applicable requirements of this standard.

4.2.5* The contractual provisions between the certification organization and the manufacturer shall specify that certifica­tion is contingent on compliance with all applicable require­ments of this standard.

• The certification organization shall not offer or confer any conditional, temporary, or partial certifications.
• Manufacturers shall not be authorized to use any label or reference to the certification organization on products that are not compliant with all applicable requirements of this standard.

4.2.6* The certification organization shall have laboratory facilities and equipment available for conducting proper tests to determine product compliance.

• The certification organization laboratory facilities shall have a program in place and functioning for calibration of all instruments, and procedures shall be in use to ensure proper control of all testing.
• The certification organization laboratory facilities shall follow good practice regarding the use of laboratory manuals, form data sheets, documented calibration and calibration routines, performance verification, proficiency testing, and staff qualification and training programs.
• The certification organization shall require the manufac­turer to establish and maintain a quality assurance program that meets the requirements of Section 4.5, Manufacturers’ Quality Assurance Program.
• The certification organization shall require the manu­facturer to have a product recall system specified in Section 4.8, Manufacturers’ Safety Alert and Product Recall Systems, as part of the manufacturer’s quality assurance program.
• The certification organization shall audit the manufac­turer’s quality assurance program to ensure that the quality assurance program provides continued product compliance with this standard.
• The certification organization and the manufacturer shall evaluate any changes affecting the form, fit, or function of the compliant product to determine its continued certification to the 2017 edition of NFPA 1986

4.2.9* The certification organization shall have a follow-up inspection program of the manufacturing facilities of the compliant product, with at least two random and unannounced visits per 12-month period to verify the product’s continued compliance.

• As part of the follow-up inspection program, the certif­ication organization shall select sample product at random from the manufacturer’s production line, the manufacturer’s in-house stock, or the open market.
• Sample product shall be evaluated by the certification organization to verify the product’s continued compliance in order to ensure that the materials, components, and manufac­turing quality assurance systems are consistent with the materi­als, components, and manufacturing quality assurance that were inspected and tested by the certification organization during initial certification and recertification.
• The certification organization shall be permitted to conduct specific testing to verify the product’s continued compliance.
• For products, components, and materials for which prior testing, judgment, and experience of the certification organization have shown results to be in jeopardy of not complying with this standard, the certification organization shall conduct more frequent testing of sample product, compo­nents, and materials acquired in accordance with 4.2.9.1 against the applicable requirements of this standard.
• The certification organization shall have in place a series of procedures, as specified in Section 4.6, Hazards Involv­ing Compliant Product, that address report (s) of situation(s) in which a compliant product is subsequently found to be hazard­ous.
• The certification organization’s operating procedures shall provide a mechanism for the manufacturer to appeal deci­sions. The procedures shall include the presentation of infor­mation from both sides of a controversy to a designated appeals panel.
• The certification organization shall be in a position to use legal means to protect the integrity of its name and label. The name and label shall be registered and legally defended.

4.3* Inspections and Testing.

• For both certification and recertification of SCBA, the certification organization shall conduct both the inspection and the testing specified in this section.
• All inspections, evaluations, conditioning, and testing for certification or recertification shall be conducted by a certification organization’s testing laboratory that is accredited in accordance with the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025,

General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration labo­ratories.

• The certification organization’s testing laboratory’s scope of accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025, General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, shall encom­pass testing of personal protective equipment.
• The accreditation of a certification organization’s test­ing laboratory shall be issued by an accreditation body operat­ing in accordance with ISO/IEC 17011, Conformity assessment — General requirements for accreditation bodies accrediting conformity assessment bodies.
• A certification organization shall be permitted to utilize conditioning and testing results conducted by a product or component manufacturer for certification or recertification provided the manufacturer’s testing laboratory meets the requirements specified in 4.3.3.1 through 4.3.3.5.
• The manufacturer’s testing laboratory shall be accredi­ted in accordance with the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025,

General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration labo­ratories.

• The manufacturer’s testing laboratory’s scope of accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025, General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, shall encompass testing of personal protective equipment.
• The accreditation of a manufacturer’s testing labora­tory shall be issued by an accreditation body operating in accordance with ISO/IEC 17011, Conformity assessment — General requirements for accreditation bodies accrediting conformity assessment bodies.
• The certification organization shall approve the manu­facturer’s testing laboratory.
• The certification organization shall determine the level of supervision and witnessing of the conditioning and test­ing for certification or recertification conducted at the manu­facturer’s testing laboratory.
• A minimum of five identical SCBA that are to be certi­fied to this standard shall be selected from the manufacturer’s production.
• The first SCBA shall be subjected to the tests listed in Category A, the second SCBA shall be subjected to the tests listed in Category B, the third SCBA shall be subjected to the tests in Category C, the fourth SCBA shall be subjected to the tests in Category D, and the fifth SCBA shall be subjected to the tests in Category E, as shown in Table 4.3.9.
• Components from SCBA that are to be certified to this standard shall be subjected to the tests specified in Category F of Table 4.3.9. SCBA component testing in Category F shall be conducted on test specimens as specified in each respective test method.
• The requirement specified in 4.3.12 shall be waived every fifth year when the testing required by 4.3.17 is conduc­ted.
• Compliant SCBA shall be tested and shall meet the performance requirements of three separate test series of Cate­gories A, B, C, D, and E, as specified in Table 4.3.9, every fifth year from the date of the initial certification testing specified in 4.3.10.
• SCBA lens components shall be tested and shall meet the performance requirements of one test series of Category F, as specified in Table 4.3.9, every fifth year from the date of the initial certification testing specified in 4.3.10. SCBA component testing in Category F shall be conducted on test specimens as specified in each respective test method.
• The certification organization shall not allow any modi­fications, pretreatment, conditioning, or other such special processes of the product or any product component prior to the product’s submission for evaluation and testing by the certification organization.
• The certification organization shall accept from the manufacturer for evaluation and testing for certification only product or product components that are the same in every respect to the actual final product or product component.
• The certification organization shall not allow the substitution, repair, or modification, other than as specifically permitted herein, of any product or any product component during testing.
• No adjustment, repair, or replacement of parts shall be permitted to any SCBA being tested in accordance with this standard; however, breathing air cylinders shall be permitted to be filled as required.
• Where SCBA are provided with an accessory or accesso­ries that are certified by NIOSH in accordance with 42 CFR 84 for that specific SCBA, the SCBA with accessories installed shall be tested to all of the performance requirements specified in Chapter 7, and the accessories shall not cause degradation of the performance of the SCBA. The accessories themselves shall not be required to pass the performance testing unless specifi­cally specified herein.
• After completion of these tests for a specific model SCBA or its variant, only those tests on other similar SCBA models or variants shall be required where, in the determina­tion of the certification organization, the SCBA’s test results can be affected by any components or NIOSH-certified accesso­ries that are different from those on the original SCBA tested.
• Any modifications made to an SCBA or to any NIOSH- certified accessories provided for an SCBA by the SCBA manu­facturer after certification shall require retesting and the meeting of the performance requirements of all those individ­ual tests that the certification organization determines could be affected by such changes. This retesting shall be conducted before the modified SCBA is certified as being compliant with this standard.
• The manufacturer shall maintain all design and performance inspection and test data from the certification organization used in the certification of the manufacturer’s compliant product. The manufacturer shall provide such data, upon request, to the purchaser or authority having jurisdiction.
•  
• All SCBA models that are labeled as being compliant with this standard shall undergo recertification on an annual basis.
• Recertification shall include inspection and evaluation to all design requirements and testing to all performance requirements as required by 4.3.8 and 4.3.12 on all manufac­turer models and components.
• The manufacturer shall maintain all design and performance inspection and test data from the certification organization used in the recertification of manufacturer models and components and shall provide such data, upon request, to the purchaser or authority having jurisdiction.
• It is permissible for product to be manufactured for the follow-up inspection program to ensure correct configuration is available at the request of the certification organization. These samples shall be selected at random from a product completed on the manufacturer’s production line.
  • Manufacturers’ Quality Assurance Programs
    • The manufacturer shall provide and operate a quality assurance program that meets the requirements of this section and that includes a product recall system as specified in 4.2.7.1 and Section 4.8, Manufacturers’ Safety Alert and Product Recall Systems.
    • The operation of the quality assurance program shall evaluate and test compliant product production to the require­ments of this standard to ensure that production remains in compliance.
    • The manufacturer shall be registered to ISO 9001, Qual­ity management systems — Requirements.
      • Registration to the requirements of ISO 9001, Quality management systems — Requirements, shall be conducted by a registrar that is accredited for personal protective equipment.
      • Registrars specified in 4.5.3.1 shall be accredited for personal protective equipment in accordance with ISO/IEC 17021, Conformity assessment — Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems.

4.5.4* Any entity that does not manufacture or assemble the compliant product but meets the definition of manufacturer as specified in 3.3.36 and therefore is considered to be the “manufacturer” shall meet the requirements specified in Section 4.5, Manufacturers’ Quality Assurance Programs.

4.5.5* Where the manufacturer uses subcontractors in the construction or assembly of the compliant product, the loca­tions and names of all subcontractor facilities shall be docu­mented, and the documentation shall be provided to the manufacturer’s ISO registrar and the certification organization.

4.6 Hazards Involving Compliant Product.

4.6.1* The certification organization shall establish proce­dures to be followed where situation(s) are reported in which a compliant product is subsequently found to be hazardous. These procedures shall comply with the provisions of ISO Guide 27, Guidelines for corrective action to be taken by a certification body in the event of misuse of its mark of conformity, and as modified herein.

4.6.2* Where a report of a hazard involved with a compliant product is received by the certification organization, the certifi­cation organization shall contact NIOSH National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NIOSH/NPPTL), and the validity of the report shall be investigated following the proce­dures established by NIOSH/NPPTL.

• With respect to a compliant product, a hazard shall be a condition or create a situation that results in exposing life, limb, or property to an imminently dangerous or dangerous condition.
• Where a specific hazard is identified, the determination of the appropriate action for the manufacturer to undertake shall take into consideration the severity of the hazard and its consequences to the safety and health of users.
• Where it is established that a hazard is involved with a compliant product, the certification organization, in coordina­tion with NIOSH/NPPTL, shall determine the scope of the hazard, including products, model numbers, serial numbers, factory production facilities, production runs, and quantities involved.
• The investigation shall include but not be limited to the extent and scope of the problem as it might apply to other compliant product or compliant product components manu­factured by other manufacturers or certified by other certifica­tion organizations.
• The certification organization, in coordination with NIOSH/NPPTL, shall also investigate reports of a hazard where compliant product is gaining widespread use in applica­tions not foreseen when the standard was written, such applica­tions in turn being ones for which the product was not certified, and no specific scope of application has been provi­ded in the standard, and no limiting scope of application was provided by the manufacturer in written material accompany­ing the compliant product at the point of sale.
• The certification organization, in coordination with NIOSH/NPPTL, shall require the manufacturer of the compli­ant product or the manufacturer of the compliant product component, if applicable, to assist the certification organiza­tion and NIOSH/NPPTL in the investigation and to conduct its own investigation as specified in Section 4.7, Manufacturers’ Investigation of Complaints and Returns.
• Where the facts indicating a need for corrective action are conclusive and the manufacturer has exhausted all appeal rights, the certification organization, in coordination with NIOSH/NPPTL, shall initiate corrective action immediately, provided there is a manufacturer to be held responsible for such action.

4.6.10 Where the facts are conclusive and corrective action is indicated, but there is no manufacturer to be held responsible, such as when the manufacturer has gone out of business or is bankrupt, the certification organization, in coordination with NIOSH/NPPTL, shall immediately notify relevant governmen­tal and regulatory agencies and issue a notice to the user community about the hazard.

4.6.11* Where the facts are conclusive and corrective action is indicated, the certification organization, in coordination with NIOSH/NPPTL, shall take one or more of the following corrective actions:

• Parties authorized and responsible for issuing a safety alert shall be notified when, in the opinion of the certifi­cation organization and NIOSH/NPPTL, such a safety alert is necessary to inform the users.
• Parties authorized and responsible for issuing a product recall shall be notified when, in the opinion of the certifi­cation organization and NIOSH/NPPTL, such a recall is necessary to protect the users.
• The mark of certification shall be removed from the product.
• Where a hazardous condition exists and it is not practical to implement 4.6.11(1), 4.6.11(2), or 4.6.11(3), or the responsible parties refuse to take corrective action, the certification organization, in coordination with NIOSH/ NPPTL, shall notify relevant governmental and regulatory agencies and issue a notice to the user community about the hazard.

4.6.12 The certification organization, in coordination with NIOSH/NPPTL, shall provide a report to the organization or individual identifying the reported hazardous condition and notify that organization or individual of the corrective action indicated or that no corrective action is indicated.

• Manufacturers’ Investigations of Complaints and Returns.
  • Manufacturers shall provide corrective action in accord­ance with ISO 9001, Quality management systems — Requirements, for investigating written complaints and returned products.
  • Manufacturers’ records of returns and complaints rela­ted to safety issues shall be retained for at least 5 years.
  • Where the manufacturer discovers, during the review of specific returns or complaints, that a compliant product or compliant product component can constitute a potential safety risk to end users and is possibly subject to a safety alert or prod­uct recall, the manufacturer shall immediately contact NIOSH/ NPPTL and the certification organization and provide all infor­mation about its review to assist NIOSH/NPPTL and the certifi­cation organization with their investigation.
• Manufacturers’ Safety Alert and Product Recall Systems.

4.8.1 Manufacturers shall establish a written safety alert system and a written product recall system that describes the proce­dures to be used in the event that they decide or are directed by the certification organization or NIOSH/NPPTL to either issue a safety alert or conduct a product recall.

4.8.2 The manufacturers’ safety alert and product recall systems shall provide the following:

• The establishment of a coordinator and responsibilities by the manufacturer for the handling of safety alerts and product recalls
• A method of notifying all dealers, distributors, purchas­ers, users, and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) about the safety alert or product recall that can be initiated within a 1-week period following the manu­facturer’s decision to issue a safety alert or conduct a product recall or after the manufacturer has been direc­ted by NIOSH/NPPTL or the certification organization to issue a safety alert or conduct a product recall
• Techniques for communicating accurately and under­standably the nature of the safety alert or product recall and, in particular, the specific hazard or safety issue found to exist
• Procedures for removing product that is recalled and for documenting the effectiveness of the product recall
• A plan for repairing, replacing, or compensating purchas­ers for returned product

Chapter 5 Labeling and Information 5.1 Product Label Requirements.

• In addition to the NIOSH certification label, each SCBA shall have an SCBA product label, which shall be permanently and conspicuously attached to the SCBA.
• Multiple label pieces shall be permitted in order to carry all statements and information required to be on the SCBA product label; however, all label pieces of the product label shall be located adjacent to each other.
• The certification organization’s label, symbol, or identi­fying mark shall be attached to both the NIOSH certification label and the SCBA product label or be part of the product labels and shall be placed in a conspicuous location. All letters shall be at least 2.5 mm (%2 in.) in height, and the label, symbol, or identifying mark shall be at least 6 mm (% in.) in height.
• All worded portions of both required product labels shall be at least in English.
• Symbols and other pictorial graphic representations shall be permitted to be used to supplement worded statements on the product label(s).
• The SCBA product label shall bear the following compli­ance statement legibly printed, and all letters and numbers shall be at least 2 mm in height:

THIS SCBA MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF NFPA 1986, STANDARD ON RESPIRATORY PROTECTION EQUIP­MENT FOR TACTICAL AND TECHNICAL OPERATIONS, 2017 EDITION.

DO NOT REMOVE THIS LABEL

• SCBA components, as listed on the NIOSH certification labels, shall be marked where practicable directly on the component with the lot number, serial number, or year and month of manufacture.

5.2 User Information.

• The SCBA manufacturer shall provide with each SCBA at least the information and training materials specified in Section 5.2, User Information.
• Upon request at the time of purchase, the SCBA manu­facturer shall provide to the purchaser an information sheet with each SCBA that documents at least the following:
  • Manufacturer name and address
  • Manufacturing performance tests conducted at time of manufacture and the results
  • Date of manufacture
  • Model number
  • Serial number
  • Lot number, if applicable
  • Hydrostatic test dates and results, if applicable
• Information or training materials regarding pre-use shall be provided at least on the following areas:
  • Safety considerations
  • Limitations of use
  • Charging breathing air cylinders
  • Breathing air quality in accordance with NFPA 1989
  • Marking recommendations and restrictions
  • Warranty information
  • Recommended storage practices
  • Mounting on/in vehicles
• Information or training materials regarding periodic inspections shall be provided at least on inspection frequency and details.
• Information or training materials regarding donning and doffing shall be provided at least on the following areas:
  • Donning and doffing procedures
  • Adjustment procedures
  • Interface issues

5.2.6* Information or training materials regarding use shall be provided at least on the following areas:

• Pre-use checks
• Recharging breathing air cylinders
• Emergency procedures to be followed in the event of damage, malfunction, or failure of the breathing appara­tus
• Emergency procedures to be followed in the event of an out-of-air situation

5.2.7* Information or training materials regarding periodic maintenance and cleaning shall be provided at least on the following areas:

• Cleaning instructions and precautions
• Disinfecting procedures
• Maintenance frequency and details
• Methods of repair, where applicable
• Low power source signals and power source replacement, where applicable
• Complete instructions for reporting to the manufacturer, certification organization, and NIOSH/NPPTL all returned equipment or complaints of damage, malfunc­tion, or failure of the breathing apparatus that could present a hazard to the user

• Information or training materials regarding retirement shall be provided at least on replacement/retirement consider­ations.
• The SCBA manufacturer shall provide the manufactur­er’s specified component service life for composite breathing air cylinders and for all elastomeric components of the SCBA. This information shall be included at least in the maintenance information provided to the users.

Chapter 6 Design Requirements 6.1 General Design Requirements.

• SCBA shall meet the applicable design requirements specified in this chapter where inspected and evaluated by the certification organization as specified in Section 4.3, Inspec­tions and Testing.
• Prior to certification of SCBA to the requirements of this standard, SCBA shall be NIOSH certified in accordance with 42 CFR 84.
• SCBA shall have NIOSH pressure-demand certifica­tion.
• SCBA that are NIOSH pressure-demand certified but capable of supplying air to the user in a negative pressure demand-type mode shall not be certified to this standard.
• SCBA that are certified as compliant with NFPA 1986 shall also be certified by NIOSH as compliant with the Statement of Standard for NIOSH CBRN SCBA Testing.
• SCBA shall consist of all the components necessary for NIOSH certification in accordance with 42 CFR 84 and any additional components necessary to meet the requirements of this standard.
• In addition to the cylinder-mounted breathing air pres­sure gauge, all SCBA shall have another breathing air pressure gauge that shall be capable of being viewed by the wearer when the SCBA is worn in accordance with the SCBA manufacturer’s instructions.

6.1.5.1 A heads-up display (HUD) shall not be the sole device used to meet the requirements of 6.1.5.

• The pressure gauge provided as part of the SCBA manu­facturer’s breathing air cylinder and valve assembly shall be readable by a person other than the wearer of the SCBA when the SCBA is worn in accordance with the SCBA manufacturer’s instructions and with the breathing air cylinder securely retained in the SCBA backframe/carrier.
• All SCBA shall be equipped with a facepiece that covers, at a minimum, the wearer’s eyes, nose, and mouth.
• All electric circuits integral to an SCBA or to any SCBA accessories shall be certified to the requirements for Class I, Groups C and D; Class II, Groups E, F, and G, Division 1 hazardous locations specified in ANSI/UL 913, Standard for Intrinsically Safe Apparatus and Associated Apparatus for Use in Class /, II, and III, Division 1 Hazardous (Classified) Locations.
• All hardware, brackets, and snaps or other fasteners of SCBA or any NIOSH-certified accessories shall be free of rough spots, burrs, and sharp edges.

6.1.10 All SCBA shall have a voice communications capability that shall consist of a nonelectronic transmission system.

• If the SCBA incorporates an optional electronic supplementary voice communications system, the supplemen­tary voice communications system design shall incorporate an indication that the system has been activated.
• The optional supplementary voice communications system’s power source shall at a minimum provide upon activa­tion an alert signal indicating low power capacity.
• The optional supplementary voice communications system shall be designed to be switched on and off manually without the performance of the SCBA being affected.
• Where the optional supplementary voice communica­tions system is automatically activated, the operation of the on/off control shall override the auto activation of the supple­mentary voice communications system without affecting the performance of the SCBA.
• End-of-Service-Time Indicator (EOSTI) Design Require­ments.
• All SCBA shall be equipped with a minimum of one EOSTI.
• The EOSTI(s) shall be activated with no additional procedures than those required to activate the SCBA breathing system.
• The EOSTI (s) shall meet the activation requirements of NIOSH certification as specified in 42 CFR 84.
• Each EOSTI shall consist of at least the following:
  • A sensing mechanism
  • A signaling device
• The sensing mechanism of the EOSTI(s) shall activate the signaling device (s).
• The EOSTI (s) signaling devices shall provide notifica­tion to the SCBA user of the activation of the EOSTI by stimu­lating one or more human senses.
• The EOSTI(s) shall be permitted to have more than one signaling device, and each signaling device shall be permit­ted to stimulate more than one human sense.
• A failure mode and effects analysis shall be provided to the certification organization for the EOSTI (s).
• The failure mode and effects analysis shall identify each potential failure mode for each component necessary for the EOSTI (s) to function.
• For purposes of the failure mode and effects analysis, power sources other than the air from the SCBA breathing air cylinder shall be considered as part of the EOSTI (s).
• The EOSTI alarm shall activate at 25 percent +4/-0 percent of full cylinder pressure.
  • Optional HUD Design Requirements.
    • The SCBA shall be permitted to be equipped with at least one heads-up display.
    • If the SCBA is equipped with a HUD, the HUD shall be activated with no additional procedures other than those required to activate the SCBA breathing system.
      • The HUD shall be permitted to be capable of being user controlled following activation.

6.3.2.1.1 User control function (s) shall include, but not be limited to, deactivation of the HUD visual pressure gauge display function.

• If the HUD is used as the EOSTI, the EOSTI indica­tion shall not be capable of being disabled.
• The activation/deactivation of the HUD shall be performed external to the facepiece, and the user shall be able to operate the HUD without having to use special tools.

• Each time the SCBA breathing system is activated with the breathing air cylinder pressure of 20 bar (290 psi) or greater, the HUD shall provide a visual indication of activation.
• Where the HUD is provided with an external wiring disconnect, the wiring connector shall require two distinct actions for disconnection.
• The HUD shall provide at least visual displays of alert signals and information.
• All HUD visual displays shall be visible to the SCBA wearer with the SCBA and facepiece properly donned and regardless of the wearer’s head movement.
• The HUD shall not use color as the only means of differ­entiating between alert signal displays and informational displays.
• Visual Alert Signals (when in the active mode).
  • The HUD shall display visual alert signals for breathing air cylinder content specified in 6.3.8.4.
  • In addition to the mandatory visual alert signals speci­fied in 6.3.8.4, additional visual alert signals to indicate when other status or conditions have occurred shall be permitted.
  • Each visual alert signal shall be identifiable, by the SCBA wearer, from any other visual alert signals or other infor­mational displays provided on the HUD or on the SCBA.
  • The HUD shall display a visual alert signal for breath­ing air cylinder content when the breathing air in the SCBA cylinder has been reduced to 50 percent of rated service content. This visual alert signal shall visibly flash at a frequency of not less than one per second for a minimum of 20 consecu­tive seconds.
• Visual Informational Displays (when in the active mode).
  • The HUD shall display visual informational signals for at least breathing air cylinder content as specified in 6.3.9.5.
  • In addition to the mandatory visual informational signal specified in 6.3.9.5 additional visual informational signals to indicate when other status or conditions have oc­curred shall be permitted.
  • All visual displays of information shall be permitted to flash at a frequency of not less than one per second for a mini­mum of 10 consecutive seconds every 60 seconds.
  • Where the visual display is not constantly visible or is not visible for at least 10 consecutive seconds every 60 seconds, the HUD shall be provided with a manual activation of the display.
  • The HUD shall display a visual informational signal for breathing air cylinder content at 100 percent, 75 percent, 50 percent, and 25 percent of the cylinder’s total rated service content.

6.3.9.5.1 The range of pressures under the EOSTI set point shall be visually obvious.

• Where a gauge analog is used, the sub-EOSTI pres­sure range shall have a red background.
• Where an electronic mode is used, the sub-EOSTI display of pressure shall flash at a frequency of not less than one per second for the remaining duration of the cylinder.
  • A display only in units of pressure shall not be permit­ted.

6.4* Optional Rapid Intervention Crew/Company Universal Air Connection (RIC UAC) Design Requirements.

• The SCBA shall be permitted to be equipped with an RIC UAC male fitting to allow replenishment of breathing air to the SCBA breathing air cylinder.
• If the SCBA is equipped with an RIC UAC, the RIC UAC male fitting shall meet the requirements specified in 6.4.4 and shall be located on each SCBA in a permanently fixed position.

6.4.2.1 The distance between the leading edge of the Compressed Gas Association (CGA) fitting at the outlet of the SCBA cylinder valve and the leading edge of the RIC UAC male fitting shall be a maximum of 100 mm (4 in.).

• If the SCBA is equipped with an RIC UAC, a separate self-resetting relief valve shall be installed on the SCBA to protect the SCBA against overpressurization.
• RIC UAC Male Fitting.
• The RIC UAC male fitting shall be designed as speci­fied in Figure 6.4.4.1.
• The RIC UAC male fitting shall be capable of connect­ing to any RIC UAC female fitting.
• The RIC UAC male fitting shall not interfere with any other operation of the SCBA.
• RIC UAC male fittings shall be equipped with a dust cap or sealing plug to prevent dust, dirt, and debris from enter­ing the fitting and to serve as a leakproof seal.
• RIC UAC Female Fitting.
• The RIC UAC female fitting shall be designed as speci­fied in Figure 6.4.5.1.
• The RIC UAC female fitting shall be capable of connecting to all RIC UAC male fittings.
• RIC UAC female fittings shall be equipped with a dust cap or sealing plug to prevent dust, dirt, and debris from enter­ing the fitting and to serve as a leakproof seal.
• RIC UAC Riling Hose Assembly.

6.4.6.1 Each SCBA manufacturer shall make available an RIC UAC filling hose assembly that consists of a filling hose and an RIC UAC female fitting.

• Where the low power source alert signal is visual, it shall be independent from and physically distinguishable from the breathing air cylinder content visual alert signal display.
• When the HUD is in the active mode and uses a low power source visual alert signal, the low power source visual alert signal shall be displayed at all times when the power source condition is below the level specified in 6.3.8.4 except as provided in 6.5.6.3.
• Where the HUD is capable of being user controlled, the low power source capacity visual display function shall be permitted to be disabled upon indication of a low power source condition.
• Optional Emergency Breathing Safety System (EBSS) Design Requirements.
• If an SCBA is equipped with an EBSS, it shall meet the performance requirements of Sections 7.17 and 8.23.
• Each EBSS shall operate off the pressure after the first stage pressure reducer of the SCBA.
• The EBSS shall have an operating pressure of at least 5.5 bar (80 psi).
• The EBSS shall have a male and female connection with a check valve feature to prevent inward contaminants.
• The EBSS pressure hose assembly shall be a minimum of 20 in. long.
• The EBSS shall be accessible by the wearer.
• The EBSS shall require only one action for connection of the donor’s fitting to the receiving SCBA’s fitting.
• The EBSS shall require two distinctive actions to discon­nect the fitting between the donor SCBA and the receiving SCBA.
• The EBSS fitting(s) shall be equipped with a dust cap or sealing plug to prevent dust, dirt, and debris from entering the fitting(s).
• The connection of two EBSS shall be independent of the facepieces.
• Accessories Design Requirements.
• Items attached to or integrated with SCBA that are not required for the SCBA to meet the requirements of this stand­ard shall be considered accessories.
• All accessories attached to or integrated with SCBA shall be certified by NIOSH in accordance with 42 CFR 84 for use with that specific SCBA.
• Any accessories attached to SCBA shall not interfere with the function of the SCBA or with the function of any of the SCBA’s component parts.
• Where an SCBA is provided with an accessory or accesso­ries that are attached to or integrated with the SCBA, the SCBA, with accessories installed, shall meet all of the design and performance requirements of this standard.
• In all cases, such accessories shall not degrade the performance of the SCBA.

Chapter 7 Performance Requirements 7.1* Airflow Performance.

• SCBA shall be tested for airflow performance as speci­fied in Section 8.1, Airflow Performance Test, and the SCBA facepiece pressure shall not be less than 0.0 mm (0.0 in.) water column and shall not be greater than 89 mm (314 in.) water column above ambient pressure from the time the test begins until the time the test is concluded.
• SCBA shall be tested for activation of EOSTI during the airflow performance testing specified in Section 8.1, Airflow Performance Test, and the EOSTI shall activate as specified in
• and shall continue to operate throughout the remainder of the airflow performance test.
• Where the SCBA is equipped with a HUD, the SCBA shall be tested for proper functioning of the HUD breathing air cylinder content informational display and visual alert signals during the airflow performance testing specified in Section 8.1, Airflow Performance Test, and the HUD shall display the visual information for the breathing air cylinder content as specified in 6.3.9.5 and shall display the visual alert signal as specified in 6.3.8.

7.2 Environmental Temperature Performance.

• SCBA shall be tested for environmental temperature performance as specified in Section 8.2, Environmental Temperature Tests.
• SCBA shall be tested for cold environment as specified in 8.2.5.5, and the SCBA facepiece pressure shall not be less than 0.0 mm (0.0 in.) water column and shall not be greater than 89 mm (3!4 in.) water column above ambient pressure from the time the test begins until the time the test is conclu­ded.
• SCBA shall be tested for hot environment as specified in 8.2.5.6, and the SCBA facepiece pressure shall not be less than 0.0 mm (0.0 in.) water column and shall not be greater than 89 mm (3!4 in.) water column above ambient pressure from the time the test begins until the time the test is conclu­ded.
• SCBA shall be tested for hot-to-cold environment as specified in 8.2.5.7, and the SCBA facepiece pressure shall not be less than 0.0 mm (0.0 in.) water column and shall not be greater than 89 mm (3’/₂) water column above ambient pres­sure from the time the test begins until the time the test is concluded.
• SCBA shall be tested for cold-to-hot environment as specified in 8.2.5.8, and the SCBA facepiece pressure shall not be less than 0.0 mm (0.0 in.) water column and shall not be greater than 89 mm (3’/₂) water column above ambient pres­sure from the time the test begins until the time the test is concluded.
• SCBA shall be tested for activation of EOSTI during the environmental temperature performance as specified in Section 8.2, Environmental Temperature Tests.

7.2.2.1 SCBA shall be tested for cold environment as specified in 8.2.5.5, and the EOSTI shall activate as specified in 6.2.2 and shall continue to operate throughout the remainder of the airflow performance test.

• SCBA shall be tested for hot environment as specified in 8.2.5.6, and the EOSTI shall activate as specified in 6.2.2 and shall continue to operate throughout the remainder of the airflow performance test.
• SCBA shall be tested for hot-to-cold environment as specified in 8.2.5.7, and the EOSTI shall activate as specified in 6.2.2 and shall continue to operate throughout the remainder of the airflow performance test.
• SCBA shall be tested for cold-to-hot environment as specified in 8.2.5.8, and the EOSTI shall activate as specified in
• and shall continue to operate throughout the remainder of the airflow performance test.
• Where the SCBA is equipped with a HUD, the SCBA shall be tested for the proper functioning of the HUD breath­ing air cylinder content informational display and the visual alert signal during the environmental temperature perform­ance as specified in Section 8.2, Environmental Temperature Tests.
• SCBA shall be tested for cold environment as specified in 8.2.5.5, and the HUD shall display the visual information for the breathing air cylinder content as specified in 6.3.9.5 and shall display the visual alert signal as specified in 6.3.8.
• SCBA shall be tested for hot environment as specified in 8.2.5.6, and the HUD shall display the visual information for the breathing air cylinder content as specified in 6.3.9.5 and shall display the visual alert signal as specified in 6.3.8.
• SCBA shall be tested for hot-to-cold environment as specified in 8.2.5.7, and the HUD shall display the visual infor­mation for the breathing air cylinder content as specified in
• and shall display the visual alert signal as specified in 6.3.8.
• SCBA shall be tested for cold-to-hot environment as specified in 8.2.5.8, and the HUD shall display the visual infor­mation for the breathing air cylinder content as specified in
• and shall display the visual alert signals as specified in 6.3.8.

7.3 Vibration Resistance Performance.

• SCBA shall be tested for vibration resistance as specified in Section 8.3, Vibration Test, and the SCBA facepiece pressure shall not be less than 0.0 mm (0.0 in.) water column and shall not be greater than 89 mm (3’/₂) water column above ambi­ent pressure from the time the test begins until the time the test is concluded and shall not have movement of the CCA fittings causing a break of any width in the line.
• SCBA shall be tested for activation of EOSTI during the vibration testing specified in Section 8.3, Vibration Test, and the EOSTI shall activate as specified in 6.2.2 and shall continue to operate throughout the remainder of the airflow perform­ance test.
• Where the SCBA is equipped with a HUD, the SCBA shall be tested for proper functioning of the HUD breathing air cylinder content informational display and visual alert signals during the vibration testing specified in Section 8.3, Vibration Test, and the HUD shall display the visual informa­tion for the breathing air cylinder content as specified in 6.3.9.5 and shall display the visual alert signal as specified in 6.3.8.
• Corrosion Resistance Performance.
• SCBA shall be tested for corrosion resistance as specified in Section 8.4, Accelerated Corrosion Test, and any corrosion shall not prohibit the proper use and function, as specified in the manufacturer’s instructions, of any control or operating feature of the SCBA.
• SCBA shall be tested for corrosion resistance as specified in Section 8.4, Accelerated Corrosion Test, and the SCBA face- piece pressure shall not be less than 0.0 mm (0.0 in.) water column and shall not be greater than 89 mm (314 in.) water column above ambient pressure from the time the test begins until the time the test is concluded.
• SCBA shall be tested for activation of EOSTI during the corrosion resistance testing specified in Section 8.4, Acceler­ated Corrosion Test, and the EOSTI shall activate as specified in 6.2.2 and shall continue to operate throughout the remain­der of the airflow performance test.
• Where the SCBA is equipped with a HUD, the SCBA shall be tested for proper functioning of the HUD breathing air cylinder content informational display and visual alert signals during the corrosion resistance testing specified in Section 8.4, Accelerated Corrosion Test, and the HUD shall display the visual information for the breathing air cylinder content as specified in 6.3.9.5 and shall display the visual alert signal as specified in 6.3.8.
• Particulate Resistance Performance.
• SCBA shall be tested for particulate resistance as speci­fied in Section 8.5, Particulate Test, and the SCBA facepiece pressure shall not be less than 0.0 mm (0.0 in.) water column and shall not be greater than 89 mm (3/4 in.) water column above ambient pressure from the time the test begins until the time the test is concluded.
• SCBA shall be tested for activation of EOSTI during the particulate resistance testing specified in Section 8.5, Particu­late Test, and the EOSTI shall activate as specified in 6.2.2 and shall continue to operate throughout the remainder of the airflow performance test.
• Where the SCBA is equipped with a HUD, the SCBA shall be tested for proper functioning of the HUD breathing air cylinder content informational display and visual alert signals during the particulate resistance testing specified in Section 8.5, Particulate Test, and the HUD shall display the visual information for the breathing air cylinder content as specified in 6.3.9.5 and shall display the visual alert signal as specified in 6.3.8.

7.6* Facepiece Lens Abrasion Resistance Performance.

SCBA facepiece lenses shall be tested for abrasion resistance as specified in Section 8.6, Facepiece Lens Abrasion Test, and the average value of the tested specimens shall not exhibit a delta haze greater than 14 percent.

7.7 Nonelectronic Communications Performance Require­ments. The SCBA voice communications system shall be tested for communications performance as specified in Section 8.7, Nonelectronic Communications Test, and shall have a speech transmission index (STI) average value of not less than 0.55.

• Flame Resistance Performance.
• SCBA shall be tested for flame resistance as specified in Section 8.8, Flame Test, and the SCBA facepiece pressure shall not be less than 0.0 mm (0.0 in.) water column and shall not be greater than 89 mm (^c3%) water column above ambient pres­sure from the time the test begins until the time the test is concluded.
• SCBA and SCBA accessories shall be tested for flame resistance as specified in Section 8.8, Flame Test, and no components of the SCBA and no accessories shall have an afterflame of more than 5 seconds.
• SCBA shall be tested for flame resistance as specified in Section 8.8, Flame Test, and no component of the SCBA shall separate or fail in such a manner that would cause the SCBA to be worn and used in a position not specified by the manufac­turer’s instructions.
• The SCBA facepiece shall be tested for flame resistance as specified in Section 8.8, Flame Test, and the facepiece lens shall not obscure vision below the 20/100 vision criterion.
• SCBA shall be tested for activation of the EOSTI (s) during the flame resistance testing specified in Section 8.8, Flame Test, and the EOSTI shall activate as specified in 6.2.2 and shall continue to operate throughout the remainder of the airflow performance test.
• Where the SCBA is equipped with a HUD, the SCBA shall be tested for functioning of the HUD breathing air cylin­der content informational display and visual alert signals during the flame resistance testing specified in Section 8.8, Flame Test, and the HUD shall display the visual information for the breathing air cylinder content as specified in 6.3.9.5 and shall display the visual alert signal as specified in 6.3.8.
• Carbon Dioxide (C0₂) Content Performance. SCBA face- pieces shall be tested for CO;, content as specified in Section 8.9, Facepiece Carbon Dioxide Content Test, and the C0₂ content in the inhalation air shall not be greater than 1.0 percent by volume.
• EOSTI Alarm Recognition. Each EOSTI shall be tested for alarm recognition as specified in Section 8.10, EOSTI Recognition Test, and the EOSTI alarm signal shall be recog­nized in 10 seconds or less.
• Additional SCBA HUD Performance. Where the SCBA is equipped with a HUD, the tests in 7.11.1 through 7.11.4 shall apply.
• Where a HUD incorporates exposed wiring, the wire’s entry into any associated components shall be tested for connection strength as specified in Section 8.11, HUD Wiring Connection Strength Test, and the HUD shall remain func­tional.
• Where a power source is used for a HUD to comply with the requirements of this standard, the HUD shall be tested for proper functioning of alert signals and visual information displays as specified in Section 8.12, HUD Low Power Source Alert Signal Test, and the HUD shall continue to function at maximum current draw for a minimum of 2 hours following the activation of the low power source alert signal and shall display the alert signals specified in 6.3.8 and shall display the visual information for the breathing air cylinder content as specified in 6.3.9.5.
• The HUD shall be tested for wearer visibility as speci­fied in Section 8.13, HUD Visibility Test, and each informa­tional display and visual alert signal shall be observable, distinct, and identifiable in both darkness and bright light.
• The HUD shall be tested for disabling glare as specified in Section 8.15, HUD Disabling Glare Test, and the test subject shall be able to read at least 9 out of 10 selected letters when each visual alert signal is activated.
• RIC UAC Performance Requirements.
• If an SCBA is equipped with an RIC UAC, SCBA shall be tested for cylinder refill breathing performance as specified in Section 8.16, Cylinder Refill Breathing Performance Test, and the SCBA facepiece pressure shall not be less than 0.0 mm (0.0 in.) water column and shall not be greater than 89 mm (314 in.) water column above ambient pressure from the time the test begins until the time the test is concluded.
• If an SCBA is equipped with an RIC UAC, SCBA shall be tested for RIC UAC system fill rate performance as specified in Section 8.17, RIC UAC System Fill Rate Test, and the maxi­mum allowable fill time shall be 3.0 minutes.
• If an SCBA is equipped with an RIC UAC, the RIC UAC system connection shall be tested for accessibility as specified in Section 8.20, Cylinder Connections and Accessibility Test, and the RIC UAC shall be connected in a maximum of 15 seconds and shall disconnect in a maximum of 15 seconds.
• Breathing Air Cylinder Performance Requirements.

Where the SCBA is equipped with a rigid backframe/carrier, the SCBA and the cylinder retention device shall be tested for breathing air cylinder and valve assembly retention security as specified in Section 8.18, Breathing Air Cylinder and Valve Assembly Retention Test, and the cylinder and valve assembly shall not change position by more than 25 mm (1 in.).

• Supplementary Voice Communications System Perform­ance Requirements. Where the SCBA is equipped with a supplementary voice communications system as identified by the SCBA manufacturer, it shall be tested for communication performance as specified in Section 8.21, Supplementary Voice Communications System Performance Test, and shall have a speech transmission index (STI) average value of not less than 60.
• Immersion Leakage Performance Requirements. SCBA electronics shall be tested for resistance to water ingress as specified in Section 8.19, Immersion Leakage Test, and the electronics shall function properly in accordance with the SCBA manufacturer’s instructions for normal use, and all power source compartments or enclosures shall remain dry.
• Low Power Capacity. Where power sources are used to comply with the requirements of this standard, electronic devi­ces shall be tested for proper functioning during low power capacity as specified in Section 8.22, Low Power Capacity Test, and shall continue to properly function at maximum power consumption for a minimum of 2 hours following the activa­tion of the low power source alert signal.
• Emergency Breathing Safety System Cold Temperature Performance Requirements.

7.17.1 Where the SCBA is equipped with an EBSS, the donor SCBA and the receiving SCBA shall be tested independendy for airflow performance as specified in Section 8.23, Emergency shall be raised 150 mm, +6 mm/-0 mm (6 in., + % in./-0 in.) and dropped freely.

• The SCBA shall be observed to determine pass or fail performance as specified in 7.8.3.
• The facepiece pressure during the entire test shall be read from the strip chart recorder and corrected by adding the value of the difference in pressure calculated in 8.8.5.4.1 to determine pass or fail as specified in 7.8.1.
• Any pressure spike caused by the impact of the drop test and measured within a duration of three cycles of the breathing machine after the apparatus drop shall be disregar­ded.
• The SCBA facepiece shall be removed from the test headform and shall be donned by a test subject without touch­ing the facepiece lens. If the SCBA is equipped with a HUD, the SCBA facepiece and the HUD shall be removed from the test headform and shall be donned by a test subject without touching the facepiece lens or the HUD.
• The test subject shall have visual acuity of 20/20 in each eye, uncorrected or corrected with contact lenses.
• If the SCBA is equipped with a HUD, the test subject shall then observe the HUD display to see that visual alert signal(s) have activated.

8.8.5.16.2.1 The test subject shall identify the visual alert signals that are activated.

• The SCBA facepiece removed from the test headform and donned by the test subject as specified in 8.8.5.16 shall be used for determining facepiece lens vision.
• The test shall be conducted using a standard 6.1 m (20 ft) eye chart with normal lighting range of 120 to 150 ft- candles at the chart and with the test subject positioned at a distance of 6.1 m (20 ft) from the chart.
• The test subject shall then read the standard eye chart through the nominal center of the lens of the facepiece to determine pass or fail performance as specified in 7.8.4.
• The nominal center of the lens shall be the area bounded by a line 50 mm (2 in.) above, 50 mm (2 in.) below, 50 mm (2 in.) left of, and 50 mm (2 in.) right of the intersec­tion of the basic and midsagittal planes.
• The activation of the EOSTI shall be observed. 8.8.6 Report.
• The facepiece pressure peak inhalation and peak exha­lation shall be recorded and reported for each test condition.
• Any afterflame beyond 5 seconds shall be recorded and reported.
• The facepiece lens vision shall also be recorded and reported.
• The activation and operation of the EOSTI or the fail­ure of the EOSTI to activate and operate shall be recorded and reported.
• The activation and identification of HUD visual alert signals shall be recorded and reported.

8.8.7 Interpretation.

• Pass or fail performance shall be based on any observed afterflame, the peak inhalation and exhalation values, and the facepiece vision value.
• Failure to meet any of the test condition requirements shall constitute failure of the SCBA.
• Failure of any EOSTI alarm signals to activate and remain active during the test shall constitute failing perform­ance.
• Failure of the HUD to display the breathing air cylin­der content or to display the visual alert signals during the test shall constitute failing performance.
• Facepiece Carbon Dioxide Content Test.
• This test shall apply to all SCBA facepieces.
• Each SCBA facepiece model and size shall be tested.
• Specimen Preparation. Prior to testing, specimens shall be conditioned for a minimum of 4 hours and then tested at an ambient temperature of 22°C, ±3°C (72°F, ±5°F) and RH of 50 percent, ±25 percent.
• Specimens shall be tested as specified in Section 8.14 of EN 136, Respiratory protective devices — Full face masks — Requirements, testing, marking.
• The facepiece carbon dioxide content shall be recorded and reported for each test specimen.
•  
• The facepiece carbon dioxide content shall be used to determine pass or fail performance.
• One or more specimens failing this test shall constitute failing performance.
• EOSTI Recognition Test.
• This test method shall apply to complete SCBA.
• The sample for testing shall be selected as specified in 4.3.9.
• Specimen Preparation. Prior to testing, the specimen shall be conditioned for a minimum of 4 hours at an ambient temperature of 22°C, ±3°C (72°F, ±5°F) and RH of 50 percent, ±25 percent.
•  
• An adapter shall be provided that allows the test subject to manually switch between a breathing air supply greater than 30 percent of the SCBA breathing air cylinder rated service pressure and a breathing air supply pressure of 18 bar, ±1 bar (265 psi, ±15 psi).
• The test subject shall wear a complete Class 2 non- encapsulating ensemble with gloves and footwear certified as compliant with NFPA 1994.
• Testing shall be performed with the test subject walk­ing at 5 km/hr, ±0.2 km/hr (3 mph, ±0.12 mph) on a treadmill at zero percent grade.
• Testing shall be conducted in a test chamber that absorbs a minimum of 90 percent of all sound from 500 Hz to 5000 Hz.
• The test subject shall have “audiometrically normal” hearing as defined in Section 5.3 of ANSI/ASA S3.2, Method for Measuring the Intelligibility of Speech over Communication Systems, in the range of 500 Hz to 3000 Hz.
• The test subject shall have had a physical examination conducted by a physician within the 12 months immediately preceding the date of testing.
• The treadmill shall be positioned in the test chamber specified in 8.10.4.4 in a location that meets the conditions for background noise, lighting, and distraction specified in
• and 8.10.4.9.
• The test chamber shall be filled with pink noise with a tolerance of 6 dB per octave band from 400 Hz to 4000 Hz and shall be adjusted to achieve an A-weighted sound level of 75 dB, ±2 dB measured at each ear of the test subject when the subject is walking on the treadmill as specified in 8.10.4.3.
• The forward axis of the loudspeaker shall be loca­ted as far as possible from and pointed away from the test subject so as to create a quasi-uniform sound field at the test subject’s ears.
• More than one loudspeaker shall be permitted to be used to achieve the desired sound level.
• The area in the test chamber where the test subject’s head is positioned when the subject is standing in the walking location on the treadmill shall be artificially lighted to achieve a light level between 100 lux and 500 lux.
• A reading stand containing printed text shall be positioned relative to the treadmill as follows:
  • The vertical center of the text shall be in line with the center of the treadmill track within ±100 mm (±4 in.).
  • The horizontal center of the text shall be at the same height, ±100 mm (±4 in.), as the eye level of the test subject when the subject is standing in the walking posi­tion on the treadmill.
  • The text shall be at a distance from the test subject that permits the text to be read by the subject while the subject is walking on the treadmill.

8.10.5 Procedure.

• SCBA test specimens shall be tested at an ambient temperature of 22°C, ±3°C (72°F, ±5°F) and RH of 50 percent, ±25 percent.
• The test subject wearing the protective ensemble specified in 8.10.4.3 shall don the test specimen SCBA and begin walking on the treadmill in the ambient conditions speci­fied in 8.10.4.8 and 8.10.4.9.
• While breathing from the SCBA, the test subject shall read aloud the printed text.
• The person conducting the testing shall switch from the breathing air supply at greater than 30 percent of cylinder rated service pressure to 18 bar, ±1 bar (265 psi, ±15 psi) at a random point between 30 seconds and 120 seconds from the commencement of the test.

8.10.5.5 The test subject shall acknowledge recognition of the alarm signal immediately upon becoming aware of it by a gesture that has been predetermined between the test subject and the person performing the testing.

• The time elapsed between the switch to low supply air pressure and the acknowledgement of recognition of the EOSTI alarm signal by the test subject shall be recorded and reported.
• Failure of either of the two test subjects to acknowledge recognition of the EOSTI alarm signal within the time period specified in Section 7.10, EOSTI Alarm Recog­nition, shall constitute failing performance.
• HUD Wiring Connection Strength Test.
• This test method shall apply to SCBA face- pieces with HUD and any associated assemblies with intercon­necting wiring.
• Each sample to be tested shall be as specified in 4.3.9.
• Specimen Preparation.
• Specimens for conditioning shall be SCBA facepieces with HUD and any associated assemblies with interconnecting wiring.
• Prior to testing, specimens shall be conditioned for a minimum of 4 hours and tested at an ambient temperature of 22°C, ±3°C (72°F, ±5°F) and RH of 50 percent, ±25 percent.
• A mass of known weight with the means for attachment to wiring shall be provided.
• A force of 156 N, ±9 N (35 lbf, ±2 lbf) shall be applied gradually, in an axial direction, to the wiring of the specimen being tested.
• Observations of the HUD functionality shall be recorded and reported.
• Observation of HUD functionality in accordance with 6.3.5 shall be used to determine pass or fail performance.
• HUD Low Power Source Alert Signal Test.
• This test shall apply to all HUD low power source alert signals.
• Each sample to be tested shall be as specified in 4.3.9.
• Specimen Preparation. Specimens shall be condi­tioned for a minimum of 4 hours and tested at an ambient temperature of 22°C, ±3°C (72°F, ±5°F) and RH of 50 percent, ±25 percent.
• A variable power source that is capable of supplying dc voltage of at least 30 percent more than the nomi­nal power source voltage shall be provided.

8.12.5.1 Each HUD shall be tested with a variable power source to determine that the low power source alert signal will activate at the voltage ±3 percent that is specified by the manu­facturer.

and valve assembly from the SCBA. The time in seconds to attach and then to detach the cylinder and valve assembly shall be measured.

8.20.4.4 The test subject shall fully attach the breathing air fill hose to the RIC UAC connection and then fully detach the breathing air fill hose from the RIC UAC connection. The time in seconds to attach and then to detach the breathing air fill hose shall be measured

• The time to fully attach and to fully detach the cylin­der and valve assemblies, timed in accordance with 8.20.4.3, shall be recorded and reported.
• The time to fully attach and to fully detach the breathing air fill hose to and from the RIC UAC connection, timed in accordance with 8.20.4.4, shall be recorded and repor­ted.
• One or more specimens failing the attachment and detachment times for the cylinder and valve assemblies shall constitute failing performance.
• One or more specimens failing the attachment and detachment times for the RIC UAC connection shall constitute failing performance.

8.21 Supplementary Voice Communications System Perform­ance Test.

• This test method shall apply to complete SCBA facepiece(s) and second stage regulator(s).
• Each sample to be tested shall be as specified in 4.3.9, with voice communications systems installed and in the “on” mode in accordance with the manufacturer’s instruc­tions.
• Specimen Preparation.
• Prior to testing, specimens shall be conditioned for a minimum of 4 hours and tested at an ambient temperature of 22°C, ±3°C (72°F, ±5°F) and RH of 50 percent, ±25 percent.
• Specimens for conditioning shall be complete medium-size SCBA facepiece (s) and inner mask(s) with the second stage regulator(s) installed in the “as worn” position as specified by the manufacturer.
• Signal processing options that use specific features of natural speech such as, but not limited to, pitch, format analy­sis, and voice or non-voiced sound to enhance the speech intel­ligibility or the usability of supplementary voice communications systems shall be disabled during the STI test.

8.21.4.1 Testing shall be conducted in a chamber having the following characteristics:

• Minimum room dimensions: 4.6 m long x 3.1 m wide x 2.7 m high (15 ft long x 10 ft wide x 9 ft high)
• Construction: hemi-anechoic
• Ambient noise level inside chamber: NC-25
• Walls and ceiling: >90 percent absorptive for 100 Hz < f < 10000 Hz

8.21.4.1.1 All surfaces above the floor shall be acoustically treated for internal acoustic absorption, as well as for external noise mitigation.

• A G.R.A.S. KEMAR Head and Torso Simulator (HATS) model 45BM shall be used for testing.
• The mouth simulator shall be capable of producing 112 dB/1 kHz sine tone at 25 mm (1 in.) with the mouth refer­ence point (MRP) unequalized, and the total harmonic distor­tion (THD) shall be <3 percent.
• The mouth simulator frequency response shall be able to be equalized flat ±1 dB between 100 Hz and 10 kHz, and the response shall be -15 dB or less at 100 Hz and -20 dB or less at 15 kHz.
• The sound pressure level (SPL) meter having the following characteristics shall be used:
  • The SPL meter shall be capable of applying an equivalent continuous sound pressure level (Leq) using an A-weigh- ted filter.
  • The SPL meter shall have a dynamic range from 30 dB (or less) to 130 dB (or more).
  • The SPL meter shall display the measurement to at least one decimal place.
• The signal/pink noise analog audio signal generators having the characteristics described in 8.21.4.4.1 and 8.21.4.4.2 shall be used.
• One generator shall be capable of playing wave files in the following format: 48 kHz, 16-bit mono at the output level of 0 dB, FS = 18 dBu, according to EBU Technical Recommen­dation R68, Alignment level in digital audio production equipment and in digital audio recorders.
• The second generator shall be capable of generat­ing pink noise and sine waves from -80 dBu to -2 dBu in one- digit steps, with a THD+N of-90 dB (0.0032 percent) at 8 dBu noise floor type 25uv, and shall also have the following charac­teristics:
  • A frequency range of 10 Hz to 20 Hz in one-digit steps ±0.01 percent
  • An amplitude accuracy of within ±0.5 dB or less
• A digital equalizer having the following characteris­tics shall be used:
  • A digital equalizer shall be capable of at least two concur- rendy selectable equalizer sections:
    • One 31-band graphic with an adjustment range of at least ±18 dB
    • A 10-band parametric with an adjustment range of at least ±18 dB
  • The digital equalizer shall have a dynamic range of >112 dB.
  • The digital equalizer shall be capable of equalizing the frequency response of the HATS mannequin of ±1 dB flat between 100 Hz and 10 kHz, applying a 180 Hz high pass filter with a slope of -24 dB octave, and a 10 Hz low pass filter with a slope of -24 dB octave (-15 dB at 100 Hz, -20 dB at 15 kHz).

and overall STI score at the mouth reference point (MRP) (see 3.3.31) shall be recorded and reported.

• The STI PA signal SPL per octave band, the modula­tion transfer index per octave band, and overall STI score at the microphone measurement point (MMP) (see 3.3.30) shall be recorded and reported.
• The pink noise SPL per octave band at the MMP (see 3.3.30) shall be recorded and reported.
• The STI score for each facepiece measurement sampled as described in 8.21.5.3 (a total of 45 scores) shall be recorded and reported, and the starting time of each facepiece donning shall be recorded.
• The average for each donning shall be calculated, recorded, and reported. There shall be a total of 15 averages of 3 measurements (5 averages for each of the three facepiece samples). See Figure 8.7.6.5.

8.21.7 Interpretation.

• The averages calculated in 8.21.6.5 shall be used to determine a pass or fail in accordance with Section 7.14, Supplementary Voice Communications System Performance Requirements.
• If any of the 15 averages score less than the minimum threshold specified in Section 7.14, Supplementary Voice Communications System Performance Requirements, the face- piece shall be considered to have failed and shall be reported as such.
• If all 15 averages score equal to or greater than the minimum threshold specified in Section 7.14, Supplementary Voice Communications System Performance Requirements, the facepiece shall be considered to have passed and shall be reported as such.

8.22 Low Power Capacity Test.

• This test shall apply to all electronic devi­ces required for SCBA by the requirements of Chapter 6, Design Requirements.
• Each sample to be tested shall be as specified in 4.3.9.
• Specimen Preparation. Specimens shall be condi­tioned for a minimum of 4 hours and tested at an ambient temperature of 22°C, ±3°C (72°F, ±5°F) and RH of 50 percent, ±25 percent.
• A variable power source that is capable of supplying dc voltage of at least 30 percent more than the nomi­nal power source voltage shall be provided.
• Each electronic device shall be tested with a variable power source to determine that the low power source alert signal will activate at the voltage specified by the manufacturer, ±3 percent.
• Each electronic device shall be tested with a variable power source to determine that the electronic device will continue to operate down to the cease-proper-operation volt­age specified by the manufacturer.

8.22.5.3 Where multiple electronic devices that are part of the SCBA share a common power source, the minimum amount of power that causes the activation of the low power source alert signal shall be determined with all electronics sharing the common power source operating at their respective maximum power consumption under normal use.

• Each electronic device power source shall be tested by discharging it at the cumulative nominal operating current for all electronic devices utilizing the power source, as specified by the manufacturer, until the voltage falls to the level at which the electronic device low power source alert signal illuminates as specified in Section 7.16, Low Power Capacity.
• Upon reaching this voltage, the current drain shall be increased to the cumulative peak current drain of all elec­tronic devices utilizing the power source, as specified by the manufacturer. Under these conditions and for a period of at least 2 hours, the power source voltage shall remain above the voltage that will cause the electronic device to cease proper operation.
• The electronic device shall be observed for activation of the low power source alert signal.
• The electronic device shall be observed for the display of the low power source alert signal down to the cease- proper-operation voltage.
• The power source voltage shall be observed with respect to the cease-proper-operation voltage.
• The events in 8.22.6.1 through 8.22.6.3 shall be recor­ded and reported.
• Electronic device low power source alert signal func­tion shall be evaluated to determine pass or fail performance.
• Electronic device power source voltage equal to or greater than the cease-proper-operation voltage shall constitute passing performance.

8.23 Emergency Breathing Safety System (EBSS) Cold Temper­ature Performance Test.

• This test method shall apply to two complete SCBA.
• Each sample to be tested shall be as specified in 4.3.9.
• Specimen Preparation.
• Specimens for conditioning shall be two complete SCBA.
• Prior to testing, the SCBA shall be placed in an ambi­ent environment of 22°C, ±3°C (72°F, ±5°F) and RH of 50 percent, ±25 percent for a minimum 12-hour dwell period.
• The air used in the SCBA breathing air cylinders shall comply with the quality requirements of NFPA 1989.

8.23.4.1 The SCBA shall be placed in an environmental cham­ber and positioned to simulate the normal wearing position of the SCBA on a person as specified by the manufacturer.

Emergency response organizations are cautioned that acces­sories are not part of the certified product but could be attached to a certified product by means not engineered, manufactured, or authorized by the certified product manufac­turer.

Emergency response organizations are cautioned that if an accessory or its means of attachment causes the performance of the certified product to be compromised, the certified product might not be compliant with the standard with which it was originally certified as compliant. Additionally, if an accessory or the accessory’s means of attachment are not designed and manufactured from suitable materials for the hazardous envi­ronments of emergency incidents, the failure of the accessoiy or of the means of attachment could cause injury to the user.

Where users desire an accessory that is not part of the certifi­cation of the SCBA, the user must contact the SCBA manufac­turer to seek approval for the accessoiy.

Attachment of any accessoiy that is not approved and part of the certification of the SCBA will void the certification.

1. 1.2.2 Although SCBA that meet this standard have been tested to more stringent requirements than required for NIOSH certification, there is no inherent guarantee against SCBA failure or emergency services personnel injury. Even the best-designed SCBA cannot compensate for abuse or the lack of a respirator training and maintenance program. The severity of these tests should not encourage or condone abuse of SCBA in the field.

The environmental tests utilized in this standard alone might not simulate actual field conditions, but they are devised to put extreme loads on SCBA in an accurate and reproducible manner by test laboratories. However, the selection of the envi­ronmental tests was based on summary values derived from studies of conditions that relate to field use.

1. 1.3.1.1 It is important to note that the duration of the SCBA air supply is dependent upon the volume of air in the cylinder and its rate of consumption, and that the use of an EBSS will reduce the duration of the air supply from the cylinder. In addition, it is strongly recommended that the AHJ develops standard operating procedures and training requirements to ensure that the EBSS is properly used.
2. 1.3.6 Procedures for the use of SCBA and combination SCBA/SARs addressed by this standard should be determined by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).

A.3.2.1 Approved. The National Fire Protection Association does not approve, inspect, or certify any installations, proce­dures, equipment, or materials; nor does it approve or evaluate testing laboratories. In determining the acceptability of installa­tions, procedures, equipment, or materials, the authority having jurisdiction may base acceptance on compliance with NFPA or other appropriate standards. In the absence of such standards, said authority may require evidence of proper instal­lation, procedure, or use. The authority having jurisdiction may also refer to the listings or labeling practices of an organi­zation that is concerned with product evaluations and is thus in a position to determine compliance with appropriate standards for the current production of listed items.

A.3.2.2 Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). The phrase “authority having jurisdiction,” or its acronym AHJ, is used in NFPA documents in a broad manner, since jurisdictions and approval agencies vary, as do their responsibilities. Where public safety is primary, the authority having jurisdiction may be a federal, state, local, or other regional department or indi­vidual such as a fire chief; fire marshal; chief of a fire preven­tion bureau, labor department, or health department; building official; electrical inspector; or others having statutory author­ity. For insurance purposes, an insurance inspection depart­ment, rating bureau, or other insurance company representative may be the authority having jurisdiction. In many circumstances, the property owner or his or her designa­ted agent assumes the role of the authority having jurisdiction; at government installations, the commanding officer or depart­mental official may be the authority having jurisdiction.

A.3.2.4 Listed. The means for identifying listed equipment may vary for each organization concerned with product evalua­tion; some organizations do not recognize equipment as listed unless it is also labeled. The authority having jurisdiction should utilize the system employed by the listing organization to identify a listed product.

A.3.3.13 Combination SCBA/SAR. Combination SCBA/SARs consist of the following:

• An SCBA certified as compliant with NFPA 1986 and having a minimum rated service life of 30 minutes
• A connection for the attachment of an airline that provides a continuous supply of breathing air that is inde­pendent of the SCBA breathing air supply

The definition does not include SARs that are used in conjunction with escape self-contained breathing apparatus (ESCBA) where the ESCBA provide less than a minimum rated service life of 30 minutes. For the purpose of this standard, combination SCBA/SARs are encompassed by the terms self- contained breathing apparatus and SCBA.

A.3.3.16 Component. Components include items required for the design and construction of the product and are evaluated and tested as a part of the whole product.

A.3.3.17 Compressed Breathing Air. The quality of the compressed breathing air used in open-circuit SCBA has a direct effect on the performance of the equipment. It is there­fore imperative that breathing air consistent with the design criteria established in this standard is used to ensure that the SCBA will continue to meet the performance criteria contained in this standard. It has been established through years of expe­rience that breathing air that meets the requirements of NFPA 1989, which specifies a maximum moisture content of 24 ppm or drier [i.e., a dew point of-54°C (-65°F) or lowerl and a maximum particulate level of 5 mg/m³ air, will meet the needs of both emergency services personnel and the SCBA. (See also 8.1.3.3.)

A.3.3.43 NIOSH Certified. An SCBA being “NIOSH certified” is only one part of the certification process to NFPA 1986. SCBA that are only NIOSH certified are not compliant with NFPA 1986 and should not be construed as having certification as compliant with NFPA 1986. See Section 4.1, General, for further details. For the NIOSH certification to remain in effect, the SCBA must be used and maintained in the “as approved” condition.

NIOSH certification is conducted in accordance with the requirements of 42 CFR 84, Subpart H.

A.3.3.48 Product Label. The product label is not the certifica­tion organization’s label, symbol, or identifying mark; however, the certification organization’s label, symbol, or identifying mark can be attached to the product label or be part of it.

A.3.3.56 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). For the

purposes of this standard, where the term is used without a qualifier, it indicates only open-circuit self-contained breathing apparatus or combination SCBA/SARs. [See also 3.3.3, Atmosphere-Supplying Respirator; 3.3.13, Combination SCBA/SAR; and 3.3.64, Supplied A ir Respirator (SAR). ]

A3.3.64 Supplied Air Respirator (SAR). For the purposes of this standard, combination SCBA/SARs are encompassed by the terms self-contained breathing apparatus and SCBA.

A4.2.1 The certification organization should have sufficient breadth of interest and activity so that the loss or award of a specific business contract would not be a determining factor in the financial well-being of the agency.

A4.2.5 The contractual provisions covering certification programs should contain clauses advising the manufacturer that if requirements change, the product should be brought into compliance with the new requirements by a stated effective date through a compliance review program involving all currently listed products.

Without these clauses, certifiers would not be able to move quickly to protect their names, marks, or reputations. A prod­uct safety certification program would be deficient without these contractual provisions and the administrative means to back them up.

A4.2.6 Investigative procedures are important elements of an effective and meaningful product safety certification program. A preliminary review should be carried out on products submit­ted to the agency before any major testing is undertaken.

A4.2.9 Such inspections should include, in most instances, witnessing of production tests. With certain products, the certif­ication organization inspectors should select samples from the production line and submit them to the main laboratory for countercheck testing. With other products, it might be desira­ble to purchase samples in the open market for test purposes.

A4.3 The testing facility should take suitable precautions to protect testing personnel and to guard against catastrophic fail­ure that could result in a high-pressure gas release, fragmenta­tion, and flying parts and debris. Catastrophic failure can occur, because many tests specified in Chapter 8 involve compressed gas cylinders containing high pressures, and the tests are rigorous in nature.

A4.5.4 For example, this situation exists when a product is wholly manufactured and assembled by an entity or entities for another, separate entity that puts its name and label on the product (frequently called “private labeling”) and markets and sells the product as its own product.

A4.5.5 Subcontractors include, but are not limited to, a person or persons, company, firm, corporation, partnership, or other organization having an agreement with or under contract with the compliant product manufacturer to supply or assemble the compliant product or portions of the compliant product.

A4.6.1 ISO Guide 27 is a component of the accreditation of certification organizations specified in 4.1.5 and 4.2.3 of this standard. Those paragraphs contain mandatory reference to ISO/IEC Guide 17065, Conformity assessment — Requirements for bodies certifying products, processes and services, in which ISO/IEC Guide 27 is referenced.

A.4.6.2 By definition, a hazard might involve a condition that can be imminently dangerous to the end user. Therefore, the investigation should be started immediately and completed in as timely a manner as is appropriate considering the particulars of the hazard being investigated.

A.4.6.11 Determination of the appropriate corrective action for the certification organization to initiate should take into consideration the severity of the product hazard and its poten­tial consequences to the safety and health of end users. The scope of testing and evaluation should consider, among other things, testing to the requirements of the standard to which the product was listed as compliant; the age of the compliant prod­uct and the type of use and conditions to which the compliant product has been exposed; the care and maintenance that has been provided; the use of expertise on technical matters outside the certification organization’s area of competence; and product hazards caused by circumstances not anticipated by the requirements of the applicable standard. As a guideline for determining between a safety alert and a product recall, the following product hazard characteristics, based on 42 CFR 84, Subpart E, §84.41, are provided:

Critical. A product hazard that judgment and experience indicate is likely to result in a condition immediately hazardous to life or health (IHLH) for individuals using or depending on the compliant product.

If an IHLH condition occurs, the user will sustain or will likely sustain an injury of a severity that could result in loss of life, resultant significant bodily injury, or loss of bodily func­tion, either immediately or at some point in the future.

Major A: A product hazard other than Critical that is likely to result in failure to the degree that the compliant product does not provide any protection or reduces protection and that is not detectable to the user.

The phrase reduces protection means the failure of specific protective design (s) or feature(s) that results in degradation of protection in advance of reasonable life expectancy to the point that continued use of the product is likely to cause physi­cal harm to the user, or where continued degradation could lead to IHLH conditions.

Major B: A product hazard other than Critical or Major A that is likely to result in reduced protection and that is detectable to the user.

The term reduces protection means the failure of specific protective design (s) or feature(s) that results in degradation of protection in advance of reasonable life expectancy to the point that continued use of the product is likely to cause physi­cal harm to the user, or where continued degradation could lead to IHLH conditions.

Minor. A product hazard other than Critical, Major A, or Major B that is not likely to materially reduce the usability of the compliant product for its intended purpose or a product hazard that is a departure from the established applicable standard and has little bearing on the effective use or opera­tion of the compliant product for its intended purpose.