How to Choose Fire Self-rescue Breathing Apparatus

Release:

In a fire, smoke is the main cause of casualties, which not only suffocates people, but also contains a large number of toxic gases, making people incapacitated in a short period of time, or even death. Therefore, in the event of a fire, in addition to calling 119, we also need to master the necessary escape skills, and the fire self-rescue breathing apparatus is the last line of defence to guard our lives.

What’s the Fire Rescue Breathing Apparatus

Fire self-rescue breathing apparatus, as the name suggests, is a kind of fire, to help people escape from the fire scene of the self-rescue breathing apparatus. It can effectively filter the toxic gases and particles in the fire smoke, provide clean air for the user, prolong the escape time, and improve the success rate of escape.
According to the different working principles, fire self-rescue breathing apparatus is mainly divided into two types: filtering type and isolation type.

Filtered Self-rescuing Breathing Apparatus

Filtered self-rescuing breathing apparatus, like an ‘air purifier’, it through the internal filtering device, the fire smoke in the toxic gases and particles filtered out, to provide users with breathing air.

**Advantages: Relatively inexpensive, easy to use, light to carry.

**Disadvantages: Limited protection time, generally only about 30 minutes, and limited protection against carbon monoxide and other gases.

**Applicable Scenarios: Suitable for the early stage of fire, the oxygen concentration in the air is not less than 17% of the place, such as homes, offices, hotels and so on.

Isolated Fire Fighting Self-Rescuing Breathing Apparatus (SRBA)

Isolated fire self-rescue breathing apparatus, is more like a ‘miniature oxygen cylinder’, it comes with an independent breathing air source, and the outside air is completely isolated, can provide users with longer breathing protection.

**Advantages: Good protective performance, long protection time, generally up to 60 minutes or more, and all types of toxic gases have good protective effect.

**Disadvantages: Expensive, relatively complex to use and maintain, inconvenient to carry.

**Applicable Scenarios: Applicable to the fire in the late stages, the oxygen concentration in the air is less than 17% or the existence of a large number of toxic gases in the place, such as chemical plants, underground garages and so on.

How to get the Right Fire Self-rescue Respirator

The face of a wide range of fire rescue breathing apparatus on the market, how do we choose? The following points are key:

Safe and Reliable Certification standards

Fire self-rescue breathing apparatus is related to life safety equipment, so it is important to choose the product through the authoritative certification. At present, the main certification standards at home and abroad are:

**China GB standard: GB/T 18664-2002 ‘Respiratory protective equipment selection, use and maintenance’.

**US NIOSH Standard: 42 CFR Part 84

**European EN Standard: EN 403:2004

When purchasing, be sure to recognise whether there are these certification marks on the product and check the product manual to confirm that it complies with the relevant standards.

Strict Protective Time

Protection time refers to the time that the firefighting self-rescue breathing apparatus can provide effective protection, which is directly related to the success rate of our escape. Generally speaking, the longer the protection time, the greater the chance of escape.

**Family use: It is recommended to choose a product with a protection time of 30 minutes or more.

**Public places: It is recommended to choose a product with a protection time of 60 minutes or more.

Comfort and Ease of Using

Firefighting self-rescuing breathing apparatus is used in emergencies, so it is very important to wear comfortable and easy to operate.

**Hooded vs Masked: It is recommended to choose hooded respirator, which can provide better vision and sealing.

**Wearing comfort: Choose a product with an adjustable headband and soft material to ensure a comfortable fit and no pressure.

**Operation simplicity: Choose products that are simple to operate and easy to wear, preferably with voice prompts for quick use in emergencies.

Expiry date and Maintenance

Firefighting self-rescue breathing apparatus is not a disposable product, but also need regular inspection and maintenance to ensure that it is always in good condition.

**Expiry date of the canister: Generally 3-5 years, after the expiry date must be replaced.

**Periodic Inspection: It is recommended to check the respirator once a month to make sure it is in good condition.

**Daily maintenance: Keep the respirator clean, avoid direct sunlight and high temperature environment.

How to Use of Self-rescuing Breathing Apparatus

Have a fire self-rescue breathing apparatus, does not mean that you can rest easy, master the correct use of the method is essential.

Familiarise yourself with the product in advance and be prepared

**Read the product manual carefully to understand the structure, function and use of the respirator.

**Conduct simulation drills to familiarise yourself with the wearing steps and escape routes.

When fire occurs, respond calmly

**Remain calm, judge the fire situation quickly and choose the correct escape route.

**Immediately put on the self-rescue breathing apparatus and make sure the hood is well sealed.

**Bend low and evacuate quickly along the safe passage, do not take the lift.

Note, keep in Mind

**Firefighting self-rescuing breathing apparatus is for one-time use only and should be replaced in time after use.

**If you feel breathlessness or discomfort during use, evacuate to a safe area immediately.

**Fire fighting breathing apparatus cannot replace other fire fighting equipment, and should be used in conjunction with other fire fighting measures.

Conclusion

Self-rescuing breathing apparatus is an essential fire fighting equipment for the family, which can provide us with valuable escape time in case of fire. However, fire safety is not only about equipping fire fighting equipment, but also about raising fire safety awareness, learning fire fighting knowledge and mastering escape skills. Let's work together to build a life-safety defence for ourselves and our families, and stay away from the threat of fire.

How to Wash Flame Resistant Clothes

Last Article:

Back to list

Request A Quote