| Protective Envelope and Foam
Instructor Guide
Session Reference: 1-1
Topic: Personal Protective Equipment And Introduction To Respiratory Protection - Lecture/Practical
Level of Instruction:
Time Required: 3 Hours
Materials: Overhead Projector, MFRI OHT's
References: IFSTA Essentials, 3rd ed., IFSTA Breathing Apparatus Practices
=================================================================
Preparation:
Motivation:
Proper knowledge and use of personal protective clothing is necessary to help provide a safe working environment for the emergency services responder
Objective (SPO): 1-1, MFRI Overhead: T-PEAF-1-1-1
The student will be able to identify the uses of personal protective equipment, the importance of using respiratory protection, and the physical requirements of the wearer, and properly don and doff personal protective clothing from memory, without assistance, to an accuracy of 70% and the instructor's satisfaction.
Overview: MFRI Overhead: T-PEAF-1-1-2
Personal Protective Equipment/Respiratory Protection
- Need for Protective Equipment
- Types and Use
- Donning and Doffing
- Respiratory Hazards
- Exposure to Respiratory Hazards
- Physical Requirements
- Cost of Wearing SCBA
- Safety Precautions
=================================================================
Session 1-1
Personal Protective Equipment And Introduction To Respiratory Protection
Lecture/Practical
SPO 1-1 The student will be able to identify the uses of personal protective equipment, the importance of using respiratory protection, and the physical requirements of the wearer, and properly don and doff personal protective clothing from memory, without assistance, to an accuracy of 70% and the instructor's satisfaction.
1-1-1 Explain why protective equipment is necessary.
1-1-2 Describe the characteristics of protective equipment which every emergency services responder should wear:
a) Helmet (with eye shield)
b) Hearing protection
c) Eye protection
d) Protective hood
e) Boots
f) Gloves
g) Coat
h) Pants
i) Personal alert safety system (PASS)
j) Station clothing/work uniform
1-1-3 Demonstrate donning and doffing of full protective clothing.
1-1-4 Describe the hazardous conditions that emergency services responders would be exposed to if not for respiratory protection.
1-1-5 List five symptoms of exposure to respiratory hazards.
1-1-6 Identify the physical requirements of a SCBA user.
1-1-7 Explain how wearing SCBA causes extra work for the body.
1-1-8 Describe general safety precautions involving the use of eyeglasses or contact lenses and a standard for facial hair as it involves the use of SCBA and an effective seal.
=================================================================
Instructional Guide
I. Need for Protective Equipment (1-1-1), MFRI Overhead: T-FFI-6-2-7
A. Exposure to injury
1. Through emergency services responder's actions
2. The actions of others
3. Effects of fire
a. Heat
b. Unbreathable atmosphere
4. Hazards (nails, glass, etc.)
B. Required in fireground tasks
1. Efficient firefighting - interior and exterior attack
2. Rescue
3. Emergency care
4. Hazmat
C. Causes of injuries, MFRI Overhead: T-FFI-6-2-8
1. Excessive heat
a. Super-heated atmospheres
b. Radiated energy
1) Inside
2) Outside
c. Direct contact with
1) Flame
2) Hot objects or surfaces
2. Sharp objects
a. Nails
b. Broken glass
c. Jagged steel
d. Sharp cutting points of fire department tools
3. Blunt objects or surfaces
a. Falling objects
b. Impact from fire department tools
4. Electrical current - contact with energized electric wire
5. Falls
6. Unbreathable atmosphere
II. Protective Clothing (1-1-2)
NOTE: It is required that the instructor have a full set of protective clothing that meets current NFPA standards - you are setting an example! When possible, have a variety of old or sub-standard protective clothing to show as a comparison.
In this section, have students follow your descriptions by checking their own gear. Have them check labels for information when appropriate. Check for proper fit.
A. Helmet
1. Current standard: NFPA 1972, Standard on Helmets for Structural Firefighting
2. Should be OSHA compliant
3. Shell protects head from impact, heat and cold - shell is designed to fail on impact to reduce shock to the head and neck
4. Shield protects eyes and face from foreign objects
5. Adjustable suspension system to absorb shock to head and neck
6. Ear flaps protect ears and neck from heat and cold
7. Chin strap ensures that the helmet stays in place during normal wear and upon impact
8. All parts need to be used to ensure proper protection
9. Do not use open area in the top of helmet for storage. This area must stay open to absorb shock and act as an insulator
10. Should be a comfortable fit, square to the head, with hood and facepiece on
B. Hearing protection - earplugs or earmuffs should be provided for all activities with high noise levels. Not for use in structural firefighting.
C. Eye protection
1. Acceptable eye protection shall
a. Absorb impact without shattering
b. Not be subject to scratching
c. Not melt at high temperatures
2. Eye protection shall meet ANSI Standard Z87.1
3. Common types of eye protection
a. Helmet faceshield
b. SCBA facepiece
c. Safety glasses
d. Safety goggles
D. Protective hoods
1. Protects neck, ears, and face from extreme heat
2. Used in conjunction with SCBA facepiece
E. Boots
1. Current standard: NFPA 1974, Standard for Protective Footwear for Structural Firefighting (1987 Edition)
2. Rubber or leather
3. Insulating qualities
4. Puncture resistant insole
5. Steel toe
6. Ribbed sole for traction
7. Water resistant
F. Gloves
1. Current standard: NFPA 1973, Standard on Gloves for Structural Firefighting
2. Protect from heat
3. Protect from sharp objects
4. Gloves must have moisture barrier
a. Allow moisture out
b. Prevent moisture from coming in
c. Not a chemical barrier
5. Proper fit - should provide good manual dexterity
6. Wrists need to be covered
G. Coat
1. Current standard: NFPA 1971, Standard on Protective Clothing for Structural Firefighting
2. Protects from
a. Heat/cold
b. Sharp objects
c. Blunt objects
d. Water repellant
3. Multiple layers (all must be in place when coat is in use)
a. Provides air space for added insulation
b. Outer shell
1) Light color with reflective striping recommended
2) Fire resistant fabric
c. Moisture barrier
1) Allows moisture from body to escape
2) Prevents outside moisture or liquids from getting in
3) Helps protect from steam burns
4) Not a chemical barrier
d. Thermal barrier
1) Additional thermal protection
2) Quilted liners provide additional air pockets for insulation
NOTE: Advise students that thermal barriers (inner liners) that are made of nylon are not acceptable for structural firefighting and will not be permitted for use in any MFRI live burn activities.
4. Proper fit
5. Reinforced wear points
H. Pants
1. Current Standard: NFPA 1971, Standard on Protective Clothing for Structural Firefighting
2. Required for use by NFPA 1500 (Safety Standard) in place of traditional 3/4 length boots
3. Items listed in the coat section also hold true for pants
I. Station clothing/work uniforms (to be worn under standard protective clothing)
1. Current Standard: NFPA 1975, Standard on Station/Work Uniforms for Firefighters
2. Acceptable materials
a. Organic fibers
1) Wool
2) Cotton
b. Synthetics
1) Kevlar®
2) Nomex®
3) PBI®
4) Kynol®
5) Gortex®
6) Orlon®
7) Teflon®
8) Silicone
9) Panotex
3. Unacceptable materials include synthetics - polyester
III. Donning/Doffing Protective Clothing (1-1-3)
A. Proper procedure for donning protective clothing
1. Boots/pants pulled up
a. All fasteners closed
b. Suspenders/straps in place
2. Hood on
3. Coat on
a. All fasteners closed
b. Collar up/closed
4. Helmet on
a. Ear flaps down
b. Chin strap in place
c. Eye protection in place
5. Gloves on - glove and coat wristlets should overlap
B. Doffing - the procedure above in reverse
C. Walk students through, step-by-step
D. Allow students to practice
E. Time all students for complete and proper donning
NOTE: This session presents a good opportunity for the instructor to inspect student protective clothing. Note any deficiency that may be considered to be a safety hazard. Work with student to try and make appropriate corrections.
IV. Respiratory Hazards (1-1-4)
A. Oxygen deficiency
1. Life sustained from 16 to 21% O2 in normal breathing air
2. O2 level reduced by
a. Combustion
b. Introduction of CO2 or methane displaces O2
3. Effect of O2 deficiency, MFRI Overhead: T-FFI-8-1-4
a. 21% - normal
b. 17% - impaired muscle coordination, increased respiratory rate
c. 12% - dizzy, headache, rapid fatigue
d. 9% - unconsciousness
e. 6% - respiratory and heart failure, death, brain death at 4-6 minutes
B. Elevated temperatures - more than 1200 F, especially if moist, can cause:, MFRI Overhead: T-FFI-8-1-6
1. Thermal burns of respiratory system
2. Collapse of circulatory system
C. Smoke (irritant particles) - carbon, tar, dust, MFRI Overhead: T-FFI-8-1-7
1. Allows condensation of, and may collect other products ranging from irritating to toxic
2. May be filtered by nose and mouth which will eventually result in temporary irritation of gastrointestinal tract
D. Fire related toxic gases
1. Types/amounts of gases produced cannot be accurately predicted
2. Common types
a. Carbon monoxide (CO)
b. Hydrogen chloride (HCL)
c. Hydrogen cyanide (HCN)
d. Carbon dioxide (CO2)
e. Oxides of nitrogen (NOx)
f. Phosgene (COCl2)
E. Non fire-related toxic atmospheres
1. Industrial process chemicals
2. Refrigerants
a. Ammonia
b. Sulfur dioxide - forms sulfuric acid in lungs
3. Chlorine gas leaks
4. Transportation incidents - almost unlimited types and quantities
V. General Symptoms of Exposure to Respiratory Hazards (1-1-5),
MFRI Overhead: T-FFI-8-1-14
A. Impaired senses or unusual sensations
1. Hearing (ears ringing)
2. Touch (skin tingling, loss of feeling)
3. Smell (irritating or choking)
4. Taste (acrid-sweet)
5. Vision (blurring)
B. Changes in respiration rate
C. Mental confusion or dizziness
D. Impaired motor skills
E. Vomiting
F. Convulsions
G. Coma
H. Death
I. May be without symptoms
NOTE: Symptoms may occur at any time after exposure for a number of hours, days or weeks depending on the substance or combination of substances. Any emergency services responder overcome, or experiencing any symptoms, and is known to have been exposed to a toxic product should not return to fire or rescue duties and should seek medical attention immediately.
VI. Physical Requirements of Emergency Services Responders (1-1-6)
A. All users of SCBA should be in top physical condition
1. Approval for use should be determined by a physician. Reasons for denying emergency services responders use of SCBA, MFRI Overhead: T-FFI-8-1-17
a. Emphysema
b. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
c. Bronchial asthma
d. X-ray evidence of pneumoconiosis, a disease of the lungs, characterized by fibrosis and caused by chronic inhalation of mineral dusts
e. Evidence of reduced pulmonary function
f. Coronary artery disease
g. Severe hypertension
h. Epilepsy, grand or petit mal,
MFRI Overhead: T-FFI-8-1-18
i. Anemia
j. Diabetes
k. Breathing difficulty while wearing SCBA
l. Claustrophobia/anxiety while wearing SCBA
m. Abnormal EKG from stress test
n. Punctured eardrum
2. Agility - movements and balance
3. Facial features - shape and contour
B. Medical
1. Neurological - motor coordination
2. Muscular/skeletal - strength and size
3. Cardiovascular condition
4. Respiratory function
C. Mental condition
1. Knowledge/skill
2. Self-confidence
3. Emotional stability under stress
VII. The Cost (to the body) of Wearing SCBA (1-1-7), MFRI Overhead: T-FFI-8-1-19
A. The purpose of wearing SCBA is to protect the respiratory tract from toxic and/or superheated products
B. Breathing consists of
1. Inhalation - active process that requires work
a. To expand lungs against elastic forces
b. To overcome resistance of air movement through passages
2. Exhalation - passive
3. Respiratory requires 2-3% of body energy output to breathe
4. During heavy work, amount of energy for breathing increases 25 fold, still 2-3%
5. Some people with pulmonary disease (emphysema, COPD, etc.) spend up to 1/3 of total energy output for breathing
6. Exchange of O2 and CO2 takes place in alveoli (small sacs) - passive process
7. Normal amount of air exchanged
a. Quiet breathing 500 ml (1/2 qt)
b. Heavy breathing 3,000 ml (3 qt)
c. Extreme 4,600 ml (1 gal)
8. After exhalation, a residual amount of air remains in lungs (lungs do not collapse), MFRI Overhead: T-FFI-8-1-20
a. Air in lungs has little O2
b. Dilutes incoming air
c. Called "residual volume"
d. Approximately 1,200 ml
e. Not all air in lungs contain oxygen
f. 100% air exchange not possible
9. Air located in upper respiratory passages (nose, mouth, throat, etc.)
a. Requires work to move
b. Does not exchange oxygen
c. Known as "dead air space",
MFRI Overhead: T-FFI-8-1-21
1) Normally about 150 ml
2) Increases when facepiece is donned
C. Effect of work on the heart, MFRI Overhead: T-FFI-8-1-22
1. As we do more work, more oxygen is carried by the blood to the heart
2. Heart attacks are caused by demands on the heart for more oxygen than the blood vessels can deliver
3. Healthy hearts have coronary arteries that can deliver more oxygenated blood than the heart can use
4. Due to age or disease - the vessels become clogged or smaller and cannot carry as much blood (oxygen), therefore the heart cannot do as much work
5. SCBA creates extra work
a. Body weight is increased by 20%
b. Breathing rate varies
6. "We can't do more than we can do" - coronary circulation limited by
a. System capability
b. Age
c. Health hazards
D. Workload while wearing SCBA must be reduced
1. Get help - team approach to heavy work conditions
2. More rest breaks
3. Use appropriate work saving tools
VIII. General Safety Precautions (1-1-8)
A. Vision standard
1. Use of standard eyeglass frames not recommended
a. Prevent facepiece seal at temples
b. Special lens mounts available from manufacturers
2. Use of contact lenses not permitted
a. Reasons
1) Lens may pop out from pressure of facepiece
2) Air flowing may reduce moisture between lens and eye
3) Air flowing may cause dust to blow between lens and eye
b. Recent studies involving soft and extended wear contact lenses have shown no significant problem
1) NFPA 1500 allows for use of soft contact lenses
2) At this time, OSHA has chosen to not enforce the contact lens regulation. Any accidents/injuries involving contacts must be reported for statistical purposes
B. Hair standards - facial hair interfering with facepiece seal is prohibited including beards, sideburns, mustaches, and long hairlines or bangs
=================================================================
SUMMARY
_________________________________________________________________
Review: MFRI Overhead: T-PEAF-1-1-3
Personal Protective Equipment/Respiratory Protection
- Need for Protective Equipment
- Types and Use
- Donning and Doffing
- Respiratory Hazards
- Exposure to Respiratory Hazards
- Physical Requirements
- Cost of Wearing SCBA
- Safety Precautions
Remotivation:
Emergency services response is extremely hazardous under all conditions. Protective clothing is provided for your protection - use it!
Assignment:
Practice donning protective clothing.
_________________________________________________________________
Evaluation:
Copyright © 1997 Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute. All rights reserved. |