Control measure
Respiratory protective equipment

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This control measure should be read in conjunction with Personal protective equipment

Control measure knowledge

Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is a type of personal protective equipment designed to protect the wearer from breathing in harmful substances, or from oxygen-deficient atmospheres, when other controls are either not possible or are insufficient on their own.

The use of RPE allows efficient, effective and safe working practices to be adopted at incidents of all sizes and type where an irrespirable atmosphere presents a hazard to personnel. There are two main types of RPE; respirators and breathing apparatus (BA).

Further information about the use of RPE can be found in the British Standards Institution (BSI) publication, ISO/TS 16975-1:2016 Respiratory protective devices – Selection, use and maintenance: Establishing and implementing a respiratory protective device programme.

Respirators

Respirators are filtering devices that remove contaminants from the air being breathed in; non-powered respirators rely on the wearer breathing to draw air through the filter. Respirators are not suitable for use in oxygen-deficient atmospheres.

Breathing apparatus

Breathing apparatus (BA) requires a supply of breathing-quality air from an independent source such as an air cylinder. Breathing apparatus (BA) enables firefighters to breathe safely in otherwise irrespirable atmospheres. The use of BA as a control measures is likely to be applied as part of the incident plan for any incident involving:

Smoke and fire gases
Working in confined spaces
Hazardous materials including:
- Asphyxiants
- Dusts
- Toxic, flammable or explosive substances

Airlines

Airline equipment supplies air to the wearer from a cylinder that is located remotely from them. The technical procedures for the specific airline equipment in use should be followed. Airline equipment should only be used by trained and competent personnel. It be appropriately used and maintained, to avoid the air supply to BA wearers being compromised.

Following an appropriate risk assessment, it may be decided to use airline equipment to provide breathing apparatus capability. Its use may be appropriate:

If an extended air supply to self-contained BA wearers is required
If use of self-contained BA is unsuitable
At incidents in the open, where airlines are used to provide a breathable atmosphere without the weight of a self-contained BA set
For specialist operations that involve restricted access

Although the use of airline equipment reduces the overall weight carried by a BA wearer and can provide a limitless supply of air, the physiological limitations of the BA wearer should be considered when airline equipment is used.

Face mask fit testing

If RPE is used, it must be able to provide adequate protection for individual wearers; RPE cannot protect the wearer if it leaks.

Face mask fit testing is a method of checking that a tight-fitting face piece matches the wearer’s facial features and seals adequately to their face. A face mask fit test should be carried out as part of the initial selection of the RPE and it is good practice to ensure testing is repeated on a regular basis. Further detail on face mask fit testing is provided in the Breathing apparatus foundation material.

Further information is contained in the Health and Safety Executive’s publications:

Maintenance

Maintenance is a requirement for all RPE, except for disposable (single use) RPE, and should be carried out by properly trained personnel. Thorough maintenance, examination and tests should be carried out at regular intervals in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Breathing apparatus foundation material

The breathing apparatus foundation material provides the procedures underpinning the planning, use, and command and control of BA. It should also assist fire and rescue services with:

Developing safe systems of work when deploying BA
Managing BA operations
Testing and maintenance of BA equipment
Defining roles and responsibilities for BA
Developing BA training
Readiness of BA wearers
Pre-planning for intraoperability and interoperability

For more information refer to The Foundation for breathing apparatus.

Strategic actions

Fire and rescue services must:

Provide personnel with suitable and appropriate RPE that fits and protects the wearer
Ensure that personal RPE worn simultaneously is compatible and does not negatively impact other safety measures

Fire and rescue services should:

Specify the type of RPE required for hazards identified through risk assessments and communicate this information to personnel
Have suitable arrangements for the provision, testing and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
Ensure personnel regularly undertake face mask fit testing of RPE

Tactical actions

Incident commanders should:

Carry out a risk assessment before deploying personnel wearing RPE
Ensure personnel wear the appropriate type of RPE
Consider the use of airline equipment

TRAINING SPECIFICATION

Knowledge and understanding

Control measure element	Learning outcome
Respiratory protective equipment (RPE)	Understand: The purpose and types of RPE
Respirators	Understand: The purpose of respirators
Breathing apparatus	Understand: How BA works When the use of BA as a control measure is likely to be required as part of the incident plan
Airlines	Understand: How airlines work The technical procedures for the use of airlines if provided When the use of airlines may be appropriate
Face mask fit testing	Understand: The need to carry out face mask fit testing When face mask fit testing should be carried out
Maintenance of RPE	Understand: What items of RPE need to be maintained At what intervals RPE should be maintained, examined and tested Who is competent to carry out the maintenance
Breathing apparatus foundation material	Understand: The BA foundation material and how it supports the planning, use and command and control of BA

NOS knowledge and understanding

You need to know and understand:
You need to know and understand: 2258
K Relevant legislation and its correct interpretation and implementation K The range and type of resources available at incidents, their capabilities and limitations
Lead, monitor and support people to resolve operational incidents
K 2 Relevant legislation and its correct interpretation and implementation K 6 The range and type of resources available at incidents, their capabilities and limitations
You need to know and understand:
K Applicable fire and rescue service or other relevant legislation K Capabilities and limitations of personal and operational equipment
Organisational.
K 4 Applicable fire and rescue service or other relevant legislation
Technical.
K 28 Capabilities and limitations of personal and operational equipment
You need to know and understand: 2920
K Hazards and risks of the workplace affecting people and the environment in relation to fire and rescue operational incidents K How to make and apply decisions based on the assessment of risk in relation to fire and rescue operational incidents K How to apply practices that maximise the health, safety and welfare of yourself and others during fire and rescue operational incidents K Fire service or other legislation relevant to carrying out search, rescue and casualty care K Personal protective and operational equipment used in fires and other operational incidents including their capabilities, limitations and safe use K How to select personal protective and operational equipment appropriate to type of fires and operational incidents
Health & Safety
K 1 Hazards and risks of the workplace affecting people and the environment in relation to fire and rescue operational incidents K 2 How to make and apply decisions based on the assessment of risk in relation to fire and rescue operational incidents K 3 How to apply practices that maximise the health, safety and welfare of yourself and others during fire and rescue operational incidents
Organisational
K 4 Fire service or other legislation relevant to carrying out search, rescue and casualty care
Technical
K 12 Personal protective and operational equipment used in fires and other operational incidents including their capabilities, limitations and safe use K 13 How to select personal protective and operational equipment appropriate to type of fires and operational incidents
You need to know and understand: 2132
K The anatomy and physiology of respiration in relation to the use of breathing apparatus K The effects of exertion in relation to consumption of air and the use of breathing apparatus K How the breathing apparatus set manages inspired and expired air K The capabilities and limitations of the breathing apparatus set K The operating features of: The breathing apparatus set Ancillary equipment Communications equipment Breathing apparatus entry control recording equipment K The testing and checks apply to the breathing apparatus set and its ancillary equipment K The role and responsibilities of breathing apparatus control operative K Breathing apparatus control systems and their application
Respond to operational incidents requiring breathing apparatus.
K 1 The anatomy and physiology of respiration in relation to the use of breathing apparatus K 2 The effects of exertion in relation to consumption of air and the use of breathing apparatus K 3 How the breathing apparatus set manages inspired and expired air K 4 The capabilities and limitations of the breathing apparatus set K 5 The operating features of: The breathing apparatus set Ancillary equipment Communications equipment Breathing apparatus entry control recording equipment K 6 The testing and checks apply to the breathing apparatus set and its ancillary equipment K 7 The role and responsibilities of breathing apparatus control operative K 8 Breathing apparatus control systems and their application
Health and safety 2976
K Personal protective and operational equipment used in fires and other operational incidents, their capabilities, limitations and safe use K How to select personal protective and operational equipment appropriate to the hazardous materials incidents
Technical
K 15 Personal protective and operational equipment used in fires and other operational incidents, their capabilities, limitations and safe use K 16 How to select personal protective and operational equipment appropriate to the hazardous materials incidents

Practical application

Control measure element	Learning outcome
Carry out a risk assessment before deploying personnel wearing RPE	Demonstrate the ability to: Carry out a risk assessment to determine: If it is appropriate to deploy personnel wearing RPE What type of RPE should be worn
Ensure personnel wear the appropriate type of RPE	Demonstrate the ability to: Ensure personnel wear and use the appropriate type and level of RPE throughout incidents
Consider the use of airline equipment	Demonstrate the ability to: If airline equipment is available, consider the appropriateness of its use Consider the physiological limitations of BA wearers using airline equipment

Control measure element

Learning outcome

Carry out a risk assessment before deploying personnel wearing RPE

Demonstrate the ability to:

Carry out a risk assessment to determine:
- If it is appropriate to deploy personnel wearing RPE
- What type of RPE should be worn

Ensure personnel wear the appropriate type of RPE

Demonstrate the ability to:

Ensure personnel wear and use the appropriate type and level of RPE throughout incidents

Consider the use of airline equipment

Demonstrate the ability to:

If airline equipment is available, consider the appropriateness of its use
Consider the physiological limitations of BA wearers using airline equipment

NOS performance criteria

You must be able to:
Review and determine incident status 2236
P Confirm that current action complies with relevant legislation and protocols P Anticipate risks to health, safety and welfare and ensure adequate and timely control measures are implemented
Review and determine incident status
P 2 Confirm that current action complies with relevant legislation and protocols
Assume responsibility and implement action to support those involved in the incident
P 13 Anticipate risks to health, safety and welfare and ensure adequate and timely control measures are implemented
Plan action to meet the needs of the incident
P 5 Determine initial action against available resources
Respond to fire and rescue incidents
P 2 Establish key factors about fire and rescue incidents and inform others in line with your organisation’s procedures, including: 2.1 Extent 2.2 Nature 2.3 Location P 3 Establish risks affecting fire and rescue incidents in line with your organisation’s risk assessment procedures P 5 Operate within appropriate risk control measures in line with your organisation's procedures P 6 Use resources, equipment and personal protective equipment at fire and rescue incidents in line with their limitations, safety and operating instructions
Respond to fire and rescue incidents 2889
P Operate within appropriate risk control measures in line with your organisation's procedures P Use resources, equipment and personal protective equipment at fire and rescue incidents in line with their limitations, safety and operating instructions
Report fire hazards and risks
P Use the correct procedures to don and start up breathing apparatus set P Set up ancillary equipment in accordance with equipment operating procedures P Test and check the breathing apparatus set and the ancillary equipment P Check in through the breathing apparatus entry control as designated by incident commander P Follow assigned role as a team member P Navigate within the risk area with the team P Maintain communication on progress and status with the team, other teams, incident commander and breathing apparatus entry control P Carry out designated response duties within risk area: Apply cooling in compartments adjacent to a fire compartment Apply containment and extinguishing within the fire compartment Use approved methods to search for fire and casualties P Monitor own breathing apparatus pressure gauge to determine own withdrawal time P Withdraw from the risk area and checkout through the breathing apparatus entry control with the team P Establish a breathing apparatus entry control point P Check in breathing apparatus wearers through a breathing apparatus entry control point P Monitor and record feedback from breathing apparatus teams P Provide the relevant incident/sector commander with up-to-date information P Implement emergency procedures when necessary P Checkout breathing apparatus wearers through a breathing apparatus entry control point
Prepare to use breathing apparatus for operational incidents.
P 1 Use the correct procedures to don and start up breathing apparatus set P 2 Set up ancillary equipment in accordance with equipment operating procedures P 3 Test and check the breathing apparatus set and the ancillary equipment P 4 Check in through the breathing apparatus entry control as designated by incident commander P 5 Follow assigned role as a team member
Work in risk areas at operational incidents requiring breathing apparatus.
P 6 Navigate within the risk area with the team P 7 Maintain communication on progress and status with the team, other teams, incident commander and breathing apparatus entry control P 8 Carry out designated response duties within risk area: Apply cooling in compartments adjacent to a fire compartment Apply containment and extinguishing within the fire compartment Use approved methods to search for fire and casualties P 9 Monitor own breathing apparatus pressure gauge to determine own withdrawal time P 10 Withdraw from the risk area and checkout through the breathing apparatus entry control with the team
Operate a breathing apparatus control.
P 11 Establish a breathing apparatus entry control point P 12 Check in breathing apparatus wearers through a breathing apparatus entry control point P 13 Monitor and record feedback from breathing apparatus teams P 14 Provide the relevant incident/sector commander with up-to-date information P 15 Implement emergency procedures when necessary P 16 Checkout breathing apparatus wearers through a breathing apparatus entry control point
You must be able to - TO BE ARCHIVED 2947
P Select equipment which can be safely used to minimise effects of hazardous materials in line with your organisation's guidelines P Operate equipment in line with its limitations, safety and operating instructions
Minimise damage to the environment from hazardous materials
P 2 Select equipment which can be safely used to minimise effects of hazardous materials in line with your organisation's guidelines P 3 Operate equipment in line with its limitations, safety and operating instructions

Control measure
Personal protective equipment (PPE): Fires and firefighting

Hazard - Flashover, backdraught and fire gas ignition

Control measure Respiratory protective equipment

Control measure Respiratory protective equipment

Control measure knowledge

Strategic actions

Tactical actions

TRAINING SPECIFICATION

Knowledge and understanding

NOS knowledge and understanding

Practical application

NOS performance criteria

Control measure
Respiratory protective equipment

Control measure
Respiratory protective equipment