Breathing apparatus

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1. What is it for?

Breathing Apparatus is distinct from Respiratory Protection and is intended only to help people who get into difficulties. Breathing Apparatus is not intended for general use as a protection against fumes or gasses.

Breathing apparatus is supplied for people who may have to enter confined spaces (if the area is deemed to be safe). These confined spaces mainly occur on vessels, but can also be encountered on land e.g. airport tunnels. They are areas which may be deficient (or enriched) in oxygen, or contain flammable or toxic fumes.

You can find guidance on the procedures to be adopted when entering a confined space, and how to use breathing apparatus in the section on Safe Working on Vessels.

Remember! breathing apparatus is not supplied to enable you to work in dangerous atmospheres.

Breathing apparatus is provided to help you safely evacuate a confined space if the gas monitoring equipment indicates a problem with the atmosphere. It will also help sustain life if you get into difficulties whilst in a confined space, until you can be rescued by the emergency services.

2. What types are available?

Two distinct types of breathing apparatus are in general use:
 

• Emergency life saving apparatus (ELSA): This is a device that can be easily carried, quickly put on, and provides a short duration of air thus enabling the wearer to escape. It consists of a cylinder containing 10 - 15 minutes of breathable air, which is attached by an air hose to a hood. It is easy to pull over the head and accommodates a wide variety of wearers, including those with beards and glasses. The hood is much simpler to put on than a traditional facemask which is typically used on other breathing apparatus. You must carry this when you are working in confined spaces.
  Remember: the pressure in the cylinders must not be allowed to drop below 180 bars. ELSA cylinders must be at least 80 % full.
   
• Life-sustaining apparatus: This consists of: 
  • three cylinders of compressed air, each of 45 minutes duration, with a regulator and gauge for monitoring the air supply;
  • 60 metres of air hose, with a spare 30 metres if required, plus a hose reel;
  • a full-face mask and harness;
  • a ‘Y’ junction to enable resuscitation equipment to be connected to the air hose; and
  • a fully automated resuscitation kit.

As well as breathing apparatus, you might also require an intrinsically safe torch, safety harnesses, lifelines and location lines for use in confined spaces, together with gas monitoring equipment.

3. How do I use it?

You must not use any type of breathing apparatus until you have passed a medical and successfully completed a training course.

You should find more details on training, medicals and how to use breathing apparatus from your national administration.

You cannot use breathing apparatus if you have a beard, or if you normally wear glasses — this is because the face-piece must be airtight.

4. What are its limitations?

Breathing apparatus is only intended to keep you alive until you can get out of a confined space, or the emergency services can get you out. On no account should you continue to rummage while wearing breathing apparatus.

Do not attempt to rescue colleagues who are trapped in a confined space — this is the job of the emergency services.

5. How do I look after it?

Inspection and maintenance: Procedures for testing and checking all types of breathing apparatus will be covered in your national legislation. The basic requirements are: 

1. visual examination of the straps, face-piece, valves and cylinders;
2. checks on pressure in the cylinders; and
3. checks on the volume flow and on the quality of the air supplied in ‘rescue’ apparatus.

All these checks must be carried out at least once a month. A maintenance contract may be concluded for the equipment. Contact your equipment officer for details.

Keeping Records: a record in the log book of each thorough examination and test carried out, including: 

• the name and location of the person responsible for the equipment;
• particulars of the equipment and its distinguishing mark/number;
• the name of the manufacturer;
• the date of the examination and the name and signature of the person carrying it out;
• the condition of the equipment and any defects found; and
• (ELSA only) the air pressure in the cylinder.

You can keep the record in any format, but it must be available for inspection by anyone who wishes to see it. Records should be kept for five years.

Safety harnesses, lifelines and location lines: Inspect these visually for signs of wear or tear before use. After use, clean the lifelines and location lines in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Recharging cylinders: Once a cylinder has been used, for however long, it must be taken out of use immediately and recharged. This applies to both ELSA and to life-sustaining apparatus.

The guidance contained in this section intended to serve as a general reminder of the risks that are sometimes encountered during the examination and sampling procedure and of the safety equipment that you should use and precautions that you should take.
You must refer to the legislation and the guidance of your national administration for more information.