SOP Manual - Cleveland Fire Department

Cleveland Fire Department
Operations Manual
M. Compressed gaseous breathing air used by the Cleveland Fire Department in SCBA cylinders shall
meet the requirements of the Compressed Gas Association Commodity Specification for Air.
N. The source of a compressed gaseous breathing air such as compressors, cascade systems, storage
receivers, etc., that is used for filling SCBA cylinders shall be tested annually to assure its
compliance with the above standard.
O. SCBA cylinders shall be hydrostatically tested within the periods specified by the manufacturers
and applicable governmental agencies.
P. When possible, members using SCBA shall operate in teams of two or more who are in
communication with each other through visual, audible, physical, electronic or other means in
order to coordinate their activities and who are in close proximity to each other in order to provide
assistance in case of an emergency.
Q. When members are involved in operations that require the use of SCBA or other respiratory
protective equipment, at least two members shall be assigned to remain outside the area where
respiratory protection is required. These members shall be responsible for maintaining a constant
awareness of the number and identity of personnel using SCBA, their location and function, and
their time of entry. Members with donned SCBA shall be available for rescue.
R. The face piece seal capability of each member qualified to use SCBA shall be verified by
qualitative fit testing annually and any time that new types of SCBA are issued. Each new member
shall be tested before being permitted to use SCBA in a hazardous atmosphere. If necessary, the
Fire Department shall provide a face piece of larger or smaller size to provide an adequate seal for
an individual and such individuals shall use only the face piece provided.
S. Beards or facial hair that interferes with the face piece seal shall be prohibited for members
required to use SCBA. If eyeglasses are worn, the member shall use frames that do not pass
through the seal area of the face piece. When provided a prescription by the member the Cleveland
Fire Department will provide a spectacles kit to be installed in the face piece.
T. Each member involved in rescue, firefighting, or other hazardous duties shall be provided with and
shall use a PASS device. Each PASS device shall be tested at least daily and prior to each use, and
shall be maintained in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions.
U. All PASS devices used by the Cleveland Fire Department shall meet the requirements of NFPA
1982, Standard on Personal Alert Safety System (PASS) for Fire Fighters.
Eye and Face Protection
Eye and face protection shall be provided for and used by members engaged in fire suppression and other
operations involving hazard to the eyes and face at all times when the face is not protected by the full face
piece of self-contained breathing apparatus.
Effective: June 1, 1997 Revised: 5/14/2009 Page | 291
Approved by: Chief Chuck Atchley