SCBA Fill Station

Question 1

Checking an SCBA Cylinder

Answer 1

Before filling a cylinder, a visual inspection must be performed.

Question 2

Examples of Cylinder Damage

Answer 2

Level 1: Minor abrasions, scuffs, cuts or scratches to the surface resin or the exterior coating are acceptable.
Level 2: Abrasions that penetrate partially or completely through the outer glass fibre layers must be repaired by a qualified technician using epoxy to reseal the fibres. The cylinder must be tagged and sent for repair.
Level 3: If the damage penetrates completely through the outer fibreglass layers to the carbon fibres or to the aluminium cylinder shell the cylinder must be condemned. The cylinder must be tagged and sent for repair/disposal.

Question 3

Cylinder Serial Numbers

Answer 3

The serial number is 3-letters followed by a 6-digit for a 45-minute cylinder. The serial number is 3-letters followed by a 5-digit for a 60-minute cylinder.

Question 4

Hydrostatic test date

Answer 4

Insert the most recent hydrostatic test date. If hydrostatic test date is older than 5 years or unreadable do not fill the cylinder, tag it and send it in for service.

Question 5

Tag Colour and Fill Station

Answer 5

Green - Air light
Blue - CFD training academy
Yellow - High rise support
Pink - Station 16
Orange - Vehicle and equipment maintenance facility

Question 6

Mode (for mobile compressors only)

Answer 6

◦ “C” Cascade – When filling from the cascade system without compressor operating.
◦ “B” Boost – When filling from the compressor operating in Boost mode.
◦ “S” Shoreline – When filling from the compressor when running ONLY on electricity.
◦ “D” Diesel – When filling from the compressor with diesel motor running AND from the surrounding atmosphere.

Question 7

Stationary Fill Locations

Answer 7

Stationary fill locations at Station #16, CFD Training Academy and the Vehicle & Equipment Maintenance Facility.
At the CFD Training Academy, check wind direction and strength before filling. If wind is from the east to south east , greater than 15 knots, and the tower or burn pans are active, air intake may be exposed to higher than normal level of contaminants. Filling of cylinders should NOT take place during these times! Calm conditions may also spread contaminants towards the intake.

Question 8

Stationary Fill Station Modes

Answer 8

Stationary fill stations can operate in two modes: Auto-cascade (compressor active and manual cascade).

Question 9

Auto-Cascade (compressor active)

Answer 9

• Auto-cascade (compressor active) breathing air cylinders are filled using the onboard cascade.
• When the pressure drops in the cascade the compressor activates and ‘tops up’ the cascade, drawing air from the surrounding atmosphere.

Question 10

Manual Cascade

Answer 10

• Manual cascade is performed by manually manipulating the cylinder valves to fill breathing air cylinders.
• This method would generally only be used in the event of an electronics malfunction that disables both the compressor and the electronics.