Breathing Apparatus

Question 1

Calculate the working duration (in minutes) of a fully charged BA set with a 2040 litre cylinder, and a consumption rate of 60 L/min.

Answer 1

2040 L / 60Lpm - 10 minutes (i.e 100 bar)
= 34 - 10 minutes
= 24 minutes working time

Question 2

List the eleven (11) main components of the MSA G1 E Breathing Apparatus:

Answer 2

1. Carrier frame and harness
2. Control module
3. Face mask with HUD
4. Pressure reducer with low pressure warning whistle
5. Power module
6. Demand valve
7. Voice projection speaker
8. Buddy breather
9. Battery
10. Cylinder
11. Tally tag

Question 3

If a faulty BA is identified during your Change-of-Shift tests, list the actions necessary for your Fire Service (DIV A):

Answer 3

1. Notify your OIC
2. Remove the BA from the vehicle
3. Complete a ‘BA Fault Tag’ and attach it to the BA
4. Arrange for a replacement BA set from your Zone Station or FS38 for Central Zone stations
5. Send the BA away as a complete unit

Question 4

List five (5) safety features incorporated into the MSA G1 E Breathing Apparatus:

Answer 4

1. Hand wheel with a ratchet mechanism that stops the cylinder from being closed accidently.
2. Low pressure warning whistle (below 55 bar)
3. Four (4) buddy lights
4. Pressure reducer
5. Piezo Alarm Speakers

Question 5

Explain why a Pressure Sealing Test is conducted on a BA:

Answer 5

The pressure value must read a minimum of 250 bar to be classified as in service and placed on the truck. The pressure check is conducted to ensure that there are no leaks in the pressure valve, there should not be a reduction of more than 10 bar after monitoring for 1 minute during the check.

Question 6

Explain how to perform the Audible Warning Signal Test (Low Air alarm) on the MSA G1 E:

Answer 6

1. Open the cylinder valve fully to fully pressurise the BA
2. Close the cylinder valve fully.
3. Activate purge button of the demand valve so air pressure is released.
4. When the pressure displayed on the control module and analogue gauge drops below 100 bar, ensure the following occurs.
   a) A flashing yellow LED must display in the HUD
   b) The electronic low pressure warning alarm must sound from 99-0 bar every 10 seconds
   c) All the buddy lights must be flashing yellow
   d) The control module LCD screen backlight must turn yellow.
5. When the pressure displayed on the control module and analogue gauge drops below 55 bar +- 5 bar:
   a) A flashing red LED must display in the HUD
   b) The mechanical low pressure warning whistle should be sounding
   c) All the buddy lights should be flashing red
   d) The control module LCD screen backlight must turn red.
   The alarms should continue until the air pressure is 0
6. When the system falls below 15 bar, put the control module into sleep mode by pressing the reset button (green) twice within one second.
7. Keep the purge button pressed to release any remaining pressure in the system.
8. Release the purge button
9. Park the demand valve by pressing the red detachment button.
   If the mechanical low pressure warning whistle, control module, or HUD does not function properly, the BA must be removed from service.

Question 7

Name the disinfectant, the amount (ratio to water) and submersion time required to disinfect facemasks:

Answer 7

Biogard Concentrate

Mixing ratio - 1:80 concentrate or 1:20 for pre-diluted.
Eg. 250mL of Biogard - 20L water

Completely submerge facemask for 10 minutes, do not submerge for any longer than 10 minutes.

Question 8

State your actions at an incident should your BA lose all power or electronic functionality:

Answer 8

1. Attempt to use the purge button in the event of an airflow restriction
2. Communicate with a team member and exit immediately to BA entry
   Emergency radio communication may be required, depending on the situation

Question 9

State the min pressure for first use of a BA set:

Answer 9

The BA should not be placed on the truck or into service if the pressure in the cylinder is less than 250 bar.
BA Operator must not enter a fireground if the pressure in the cylinder is less than 200 bar

Question 10

State the flow capacity of the pressure reducer:

Answer 10

The pressure reducer has a flow capacity of 700 litre per minute at full pressure.

Question 11

What is the preferred minimum pressure the provider must have to enact the buddy breathing procedure?

Answer 11

There is preferred minimum pressure of 150 bar.

Question 12

State the 4 HUD air cylinder pressure indicator levels and the corresponding pressure ranges in the bar:

Answer 12

Four (4) circular pressure status indicators
4 green = 300 - 271 bar (4 in the door)
3 green = 270 - 181 bar (3 maybe)
2 green = 180 - 100 bar (2 do not do)
1 yellow = 99 - 60 bar (Oscillating)
1 red = 59 - 0 bar (Flashing continuously until shutdown)

Question 13

State what the solid red triangle indicates in the HUD:

Answer 13

Motion Full Alarm or
Manual Alarm has been activated

Question 14

Explain the PACT check:

Answer 14

• *P - PPC / PPE / Equipment**
• Personal Protective Clothing - all structural clothing is correctly worn
• Personal Protective Equipment - all PPE is carried and functioning ie. BA on, torch, portable radio
• Equipment - all necessary equipment is carried and function ie. branch charged and set to correct flow and pattern, TIC on, forcible entry tools
• *A - Air**
• Is your partner’s BA pressurised? (check their buddy lights - Green is Go)
• Check the number of HUD lights on a visible in your mask (4 lights, 3 lights, 2 lights)
• Positive Pressure Test (pull your face mask away slightly from your face by the demand valve to ensure you have air flow, Ensure your demand valve is securely attached to your face)
• *C - Communications**
• Voice Projection Speaker on an working
• Portable Radio
• Who are you? (what is your team designation ie. BA team Alpha)
• *T - Tally tag, Task**
• Has your BA tally tag been correctly filled out and placed in the BA control board
• Task - What is your objective ie. locate fire and extinguish
• Tactics - how are you going to achieve your task

Question 15

What are the four (4) actions you should consider when entrapped?

Answer 15

• Manually activate the alarm on the control module, then make way as close to the nearest point of entry as possible. Remain calm and still where possible to increase the duration of the BA set.
• The team should sit down, remain together and not remove their BA sets
• Use a hose line, if available, to safeguard the team.
• Notify BA entry and the IC of the situation using portable radio.

Question 16

Name the main components of the BA Face Mask:

Answer 16

Outside:

• Head harness
• Quick release tabs
• Neck strap
• Full view polycarbonate visor
• Nose cup
• Inhalation valve

Inside:

• Nose cup
• Reverse flange facial seal
• Speech diaphragm

Question 17

List the four (4) levels of the Motion Alarm:

Answer 17

Level 1 - Control module inactive for 17.5 secs (Move control module to de-activate) 
Level 2 - Control module inactive for 20 secs (Move control module to de-activate) 
Level 3 - Control module inactive for 25 secs (Move control module to de-activate) 
Level 4 - Full Alarm - Control module inactive for 30 secs (Press reset twice to de-activate)

Question 18

State the approximate remaining time of the:

1. Electronic low pressure warning alarm
2. The mechanical low pressure warning whistle

Answer 18

1. Electronic low pressure warning alarm:

10 minutes

2. The mechanical low pressure warning whistle:

6 minutes

Question 19

State the pressure at which the;

1. Electronic low pressure warning alarm will sound.
2. Mechanical low pressure warning whistle will sound.

Answer 19

1. Electronic low pressure warning alarm will sound: 99 bar
2. Mechanical low pressure warning whistle will sound: 55 bar +/- 5 bar

Question 20

When should you change the battery on the BA set:

Answer 20

When 1 red segment is visible (0 – 19%, approx. 2hrs left at this point, but as soon as you leave the fireground you should not return without changing over.