B A SET

Schedule A - Legislation Applicable

Schedule B - Function
Schedule C - Specifications
Schedule D - Method of Use
Schedule E - Limitations of Use
Schedule F - Safety Features
Schedule G - Maintenance
Schedule H - Additional Information/Significant Hazard
Standard Test
Any Additional Comments(s)
This Equipment Data Sheet (EDS) is compiled from information contained in the Breathing Apparatus
Training notes and Service Order SO/7/2/2/1.
Follow up Action Required
Not Applicable.
Review Date (if applicable)
3 years.
Assessment
Name:

Andy Piller

Rank:

T/Watch Manager

Post Held:

Community Response Support

Date of Assessment:

4th December 2011

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Schedule A (Legislation applicable)
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
PPE at work Regulations 1992 as amended 2002
The Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000
Manual Handling Operation Regulations 1992
Respiratory Protective Equipment (HSG 53)
Schedule B (Function)

To provide respiratory protection to fire-fighters working in toxic, irritant or oxygen deficient

environments.
Schedule C (Specifications)
A self-contained - open circuit - automatic first breath operated - positive pressure compressed air
breathing apparatus set comprising of five main components:
1 - PSS 7000 Carrying System
Harness:

New advanced material

High wear resistance

Maintains shape and form for easy donning

High grip material - grips body and remains in position

Heavy duty stainless steel buckles

Hose cover protection

Fixing points for accessories.

Back plate:

High strength light-weight carbon composite

Spring loaded pivoting & swivelling waist belt

Improved height adjustment

Built-in carrying handles

Integrated electronics

Integrated hoses

Reinforced cylinder band for easy fitting of cylinder.

2 - Pneumatic Assembly

Integrated anti vibration device

Pneumatic Low Pressure Warning Whistle

Pressure relief valve.

Reducer
Pressure reduced to 7 - 9 bar
Reducer relief valve operates at 11 - 16 bar
Low pressure whistle 90 dBs minimum, uses 4 litres/min on operation. Operates between 74 76 bar.
Lung Demand Valve (LDV)
Positive pressure, first breath activated
Supplemented supply (max 300 lpm)
3 - Bodyguard 7000
The Draeger Bodyguard 7000 is an electronic all-in-one distress signal unit, pressure gauge and data
logger which provides continuous monitoring of personal information and operational status of the
Draeger PSS 7000.
The Bodyguard 7000 ensures a balanced distribution of weight by incorporating the pressure sensor and
power supply modules into the back plate of the BA
Features:

Digital pressure reading

Time remaining

Automatic and manual activation ADSU

Audible and visual alarms

Bright back light

Large screen

Large buttons

Scrolling text.

4 - FPS 7000
Facemask

Features a double sealing line for maximum safety which adapts well to different head and face
shapes

5-point connection with a large contact surface area at the back of the head

Constructed of Ethylene Propylene Diene Material - EPDM (standard issue) or hypoallergenic

Silicone (personal issue)

Anti scratch & anti fog polycarbonate visor

Head harness.

With built in;

FPS-COM-PLUS VA (voice amplification) x 2 per pumping appliance
FPS-COM-PLUS R-C (voice amplification and Radio Comms) x 2 per pumping appliance

Low battery warning

Motorola GP340 radio fitted in pouch on cylinder cover

Easy to operate

Low profile design for unobstructed view

Built to resist shocks and impact

Flexible gooseneck earpiece

Easy to see, bright LED lights:

green (ready)
red (not ready)

Clear warning signal at 25% or 10% of remaining battery capacity (standard AAA)

External surround sound

EN 136, and EN 137 Type 2 (equipment for fire-fighting)

Automatic shut off

The communication unit shuts off automatically, if no breathing sounds are received by the microphone
for at least ten minutes (after a pre-notification signal). The automatic shutoff, after a three time prewarning, increases battery life, lowers maintenance costs, and ensures the equipment is ready for use
when needed.
Please note: Personnel that wear prescription safety glasses will be provided with an H frame which is
to be inserted into the facemask when required, unless they are issued with a personal facemask.
For further information on Comms and the Motorola GP340 see Breathing Apparatus Training notes and
EDS/7/1/2 and EDS/7/1/4.

5 - Cylinder

Fully wrapped carbon composite over seamless aluminium liner

9 litre capacity

Charged to 300 bar

Nominal weight 5.3kgs

Device fitted on cover to prevent entanglement in cables

Individual cylinder number on body of cylinder and on wheel.

Cylinder consumption rates for BA Wearers.

Consumption rate = 50 litres per minute

2430 litre capacity

Working duration 36 minutes

Minimum entry pressure 240 Bar

Minimum Re-entry pressure 150 Bar

Pneumatic and Electronic whistle operates at between 74 - 76 Bar

Change cylinder on appliance at 270 Bar

For further information see EDS/1/1/10

Weight of complete set
16kg
For further information refer to Breathing Apparatus Training notes.
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Schedule D (Method of Use)
Breathing apparatus will only be worn on the orders of the Incident Commander.
Further information can be found in SO/7/2/2/1 and Breathing Apparatus Training notes
Schedule E (Limitations of use)
Compressed air breathing apparatus is only to be worn by suitably qualified personnel.

Schedule F (Safety Features)

The set is designed to fail to a safe state in order that air at a breathable pressure is maintained to the
wearer giving opportunity to exit the hazard area.
Schedule G (Maintenance)
The set should be cleaned, maintained and tested in line with current Hampshire Fire and Rescue
Service Breathing Apparatus Training notes and equipment data sheets listed below.

Fireground cleaning procedure EDS/1/1/5

On station cleaning EDS/1/1/6

Schedule H - Additional Information/Significant Hazard

WARNING: Do not use bleach, solvents, detergents or abrasive cleaners. Any soiling that cannot be
removed using the correct cleaning products should be reported to an OET via Control for further
advice.
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Testing Description
Test Frequency and Competency Levels
Test Frequency

Competency

On Acceptance = General Check

After Use and prior to re-use by original wearer (with new cylinder) General Check

Annually

WDS General Check of all sets carried out at change of shift (09:00 and 18:00)
RDS General Check carried out weekly
General Check comprises of the following:

Visual check

High Pressure Leak Test

Face Seal Test

Comms check

ADSU Test

- On Acceptance
- After Use
- Annually

ba set
BA is provided for life-safety purposes. It is essential that the highest standards of testing,
maintenance and record-keeping should apply. Equal attention should be given to cleanliness and
stowage of the apparatus and its associated equipment. BA wearers of all roles need to maintain
a high level of proficiency in breathing apparatus use and procedures, and in the use of
equipment supplied to enhance its effectiveness and safety.
Levels of Service and Testing
There are three levels of servicing which may be carried out on a BA set and its ancillary
equipment by operational personnel:
the Fireground service.
the BA Set service.
the Monthly service.
Each type of service has three components to it clean, inspection and test. The differences
between each of the service types listed above are in the level of cleaning and inspection only.
There is only one test procedure for a BA Set and its ancillary equipment, referred to hereafter
as the BA Set Test.
Frequency of Test
A BA Set Test of a BA set and its ancillary equipment must be carried out in the following
instances:
when making up a BA set
after a set has been worn and cleaned, either at an operational incident or for training
purposes
when a BA set arrives on-site, or is returned following an Accident Investigation or a major
service by the BA Technician or Drager UK
at any time an individual takes over responsibility for a BA set, which means:by nominated BA wearers at the start of shift.
on Wholetime stations
(0900 hrs and 1800 hrs)
on Day-crewing stations

by nominated BA wearers at the start of shift.

on Retained stations

by nominated BA wearers on drill nights.

by all personnel

at any other time, when nominated as a BA wearer.

Conducting the BA Set Test

Conduct the test in the order described below. The description provides an outline of the BA Set
Test; detailed information on what to do, what to look for, and why each part of the test is
included can be found by following the links. Phrases marked in bold type indicate that a
pass/fail decision is required for that part of the test.
Confirm that the set is clean prior to conducting the test. When conducting a Fireground service,
only a basic level of cleaning is possible.
Select an appropriate place to conduct the test.
The BA Set Test
Part 1 Visual Inspection
Visually inspect the BA set, and check that the shoulder straps and waist strap on the harness are
fully loosened. Confirm that the cylinder connection is secured finger tight.
Part 2 Pneumatic Integrity Test
Fit a cylinder to the set. Engage the First Breath Mechanism and slowly open the cylinder valve
to pressurise the set, and then close it. Check the pneumatic integrity of the set.
Part 3 Lung Demand Valve and Face Fit Test
Open the cylinder valve and don the facemask, tightening the facemask straps appropriately.
Breathe in to check the First Breath Mechanism works correctly. Take several breaths and
confirm that the Exhalation Valve operates without excessive resistance.
Confirm that you can obtain an effective seal using that facemask. Take a breath and hold it for
approximately 8 seconds, while moving your head up and down, and left and right. You should
not hear or feel any air escaping from the facemask.
Briefly depress the supplementary air supply to confirm that a flow of air is provided to the
facemask.
Briefly break the facemask seal with your finger, to check that the set is providing positive
pressure protection.
Close the cylinder valve and breathe the set down, checking that the Low Pressure Warning
Whistle starts to sound within the 75-76 bar plus or minus 5 bar range.
Continue to breathe the set down, until it begins to collapse onto your face. Hold your breath for
a few seconds; there should be no ingress of air and the mask should remain sucked down.
Engage the First Breath Mechanism and breathe out to remove the partial vacuum inside the
facemask. Remove the facemask, leaving the facemask straps fully slackened.
Confirm that the cylinder contains approximately 280 Bar, therefore ensuring that should the set
be required to be used operationally, it will still have the minimum required contents of 270 Bar
(see Minimum Cylinder Contents below), after start up and prior to entry.
Part 4 Bodyguard and Ancillary Equipment
Check that the Bodyguard is without fault and operates correctly

Record your role, surname and cylinder pressure on the BA set tally.
Test the BA torch, if fitted.
Check the Personal Line, if fitted.
Check the radio communications equipment, if fitted.
Record the result of the test in the FB202.
The Monthly Service
Each BA set is subject to a rigorous clean and inspection each calendar month. For the Monthly
Service, the BA set must be moved to a location where it can be partially disassembled, deepcleaned and then closely inspected and tested. A fire station BA Room would be the most
suitable place to conduct the cleaning, inspection and test.
Part 1 - Wear
If the set has not been worn for a duration of at least 50 Bar during the previous 30 days, a
satisfactory wear of the BA set for a minimum duration of 50 Bar will form part of the Monthly
Service.
Part 2 - Clean
When cleaning the set, remove the shoulder and waist straps and the BA Torch, and clean these
items separately. The back plate should not be hosed down but instead washed and wiped dry.
The shoulder and waist pads should also be thoroughly cleaned and if necessary the personal line
needs to be pulled out fully (not taking it off the waist pads) and washed and then left out to dry.
The mask should be thoroughly cleaned in Drager /Trigene solution and the comms lead and
batteries must be removed from the masks and blank caps fitted.
Part 3 - Inspection
Once the set has been cleaned, examine each component for excessive wear, loose fittings and
physical or chemical damage. If there is a question over whether the set should continue to be
used, consult your Line Manager in the first instance and then the BA Technician.
Part 4 - Test
Once the wear, clean and inspection elements of the Monthly Service are complete, conduct a
BA Set Test. When recording the result of the Monthly Service in the FB202, highlight the entry
to make it stand out from the other entries.
Further Information
Appropriate Place
BA set testing should take place in an area separate from the one used to clean the BA set.
Whenever practicable, conduct the test in a clean area with adequate space and good lighting.
Having use of a non-slip, flat surface on which to place the set will make conducting the test
easier.
Visual inspection of the BA set

Confirm the shoulder and waist pads, backplate are complete, free from physical or chemical
damage and that the fittings are attached securely.
During a Monthly Service, pay particular attention to the first stage reducer area ensuring that
nothing is loose. Ensure that all the hoses are correctly fitted and that all blank caps are in place.
Black O rings and the black blanking cap on the first stage reducer and cylinder connection
should also be checked.
Confirm the facemask is complete and free from damage, that the batteries are not low and that
the inner nasal cover is correctly fitted and that the Lung Demand Valve is correctly attached.
Check that the head harness has been correctly attached. When attaching the head harness to the
set facemask, check the condition of the rollers in the attachment clips; they should be straight.
Excessive deformation of the rollers will make it difficult to tighten and loosen the facemask
straps. Clips with damaged rollers should be replaced.
Fitting a BA Cylinder
When fitting a cylinder to a BA set, check that a cylinder jacket is fitted to the cylinder, the
Velcro flap fastened to show that the cylinder is Full and that the initials RBFRS on the
cylinder jacket are facing away from the backplate. With the cylinder jacket positioned in this
way, the reflective strip and protective pad are in the correct position, and the zip and Velcro flap
are protected from damage. Do not overtighten the connection.
Exhalation Valve
Expired air should pass through the exhalation valve there must be no expired air passing out
via the facemask seal. If you feel the facemask lift off your face and hear/feel air escaping past
the facemask seal, the exhalation valve has stuck in the closed position. The set must not be used
in this condition. Remove the set, flush the exhalation valve thoroughly using clean water, dry
the facemask, and re-test the set. If these actions do not remedy the situation, the set must be
defected.
Minimum Cylinder Contents
The minimum cylinder contents required to allow a Breathing Apparatus wearer to pass through
Entry Control is 270 Bar.
Pneumatic Integrity
With the system under pressure, and with the cylinder valve closed and the First Breath
Mechanism engaged, there should be next to no escape of air from the set.
If the pressure gauge on the Bodyguard drops more than 10 Bar during the Bodyguards leak test
cycle, the Bodyguard will highlight this as a Cylinder leak, this leak of air is excessive and the
set must not be used; it must be defected.
The pneumatic integrity test is conducted to identity any leak of air between the Cylinder
Connector and the Lung Demand Valve. It is conducted prior to the face fit test so that,
assuming a successful pneumatic integrity test, any loss of air from the set during the face fit
test can be attributed to an ineffective seal around the face.
Positive Pressure Protection

When the facemask seal of a pressurised set is broken, the Demand Valve supplies air to the
facemask continuously to try and re-establish a slightly-higher-than-atmospheric pressure inside
the facemask.
If the facemask seal is held broken, the sensations are identical to those experienced when you
operate the Bypass Valve.
Testing the Bodyguard Unit
Test the unit by operation:
Remove the Bodyguard key (attached to the tally). The Bodyguard will emit an audible
alarm when the key is removed. This indicates the unit is functioning correctly and is ready
for use .A green light will also flash intermittently once it has been armed.
Test the automatic operation of the unit by leaving it to enter its pre-alarm and full-alarm
modes. Reset the unit by inserting and removing the Bodyguard key.
Manually initiate full-alarm mode by pressing the yellow button on the front of the unit.
Silence the unit by re-inserting the Bodyguard key.
Inspect the casing to ensure it is in good condition and showing no obvious signs of damage.
Further Information on using the Bodyguard
There is a low-battery warning signal and icon on the LCD screen. If the low-battery warning
signal is heard during testing the set must not be used. A FireWatch defect must be raised, the
Batteries will then be replaced by the BA Technician. If the low-battery warning signal is heard
while the set is being worn, it is not necessary for the wearer to withdraw from the risk..
Refer to the Drager PSS 7000 BA set equipment note (EQ194) for further information.
Testing the BA Torch
Check the operation of the torch; if the beam is weak, check first that the lens is clean, then if
necessary replace the torch batteries.
Confirm that the screw caps to the bulb and battery compartments are secure.
Retractable Personal Line Unit
The Retractable Personal Line Unit should be examined for damage and wear at the same
intervals as the BA set and the result recorded in the FB 202.
Ensure the unit is clean and in good condition. Check the operation and security of the
release button for the full 6 metres
Closely examine the large snap hook for operation, distortion and other damage. Visually
ensure connection to the line is secure.
Examine the knot at 1.25m on the line for security.
Carry out a visual inspection along the total length of the line for any signs of damage or
wear.
Note: Under no circumstances should the line be subjected to a weight test.

Replacing Defective Ancillary Equipment

Where BA ancillary equipment is found to be defective, it should be swapped with an item held
in the stations BA Ancillary Equipment Store, and a replacement obtained at the earliest
opportunity.
A defective Retractable Personal Line Unit will be replaced and fitted by the BA Technician;
contact by email using the BA mailbox. To request replacement BA tallies, email a completed
FB95 (Engraving Order Form) to Stores.
Recording Test Results
A test record (FB 202) must be kept with each BA set (except when it is carried on an
operational appliance) detailing the following information:
date, and result of each test carried out on the apparatus and its ancillary equipment.
type of test carried out and the reason for it.
any wear of a duration of 50 Bar or more to be recorded in the remarks column i.e. 50 Bar
+.
name and Brigade number, printed in block capitals, of the person carrying out the test.
nature of any defects found and record them in Red and then record in more detail to the
rear of the book in the defect section.
nature of any repairs or adjustments and the identity of any person carrying them out. This
should be recorded by the BA Technician to the rear of the book in the defect section.
Make all entries in the FB202 in pen. Use a red pen only for defects; for all other entries use
either a black or a blue pen. When recording a Monthly Service on a set, highlight the entry
afterwards.
Reporting Defects
Any defects in a BA set, personal issued facemasks, ancillary equipment or BA communications
equipment should be reported to the Officer in Charge. Ancillary equipment should be replaced
in line with the procedure given in BA Maintenance, Replacement and Defect Reporting
Procedure.
Defects in a BA set or BA communications equipment should then be reported on FireWatch.
Communications/ORIS Defects should be reported using an FB231.
The information to report must include:
the set number;
the nature of the defect;
the name of the person reporting the defect;
the station number;
the location of the BA set at the station.