Learning Center - Breathing Air Terminology

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Air Booster Pump
A device for those who need higher pressure from their air system or compressor. An air booster gives you the capability of greatly increasing the psi of your existing air system. Our boosters can take 500 psi and increase it to 6000 psi for refilling a DOT or ASME cascade system. Air boosters are also used to increase the psi from an air system in a vehicle for refilling SCBA air cylinders on site.

Users find that the long term use of an air booster pays for itself by eliminating the need for outside sources to refill their air cylinders and cascade systems.

Also see: Oxygen Booster Pump

Air Control Panel
An air control panel is the perfect compliment to your high pressure DOT & ASME Storage system, Mobile Air Cart, Mobile Air Trailer or air filling station. It is designed for use in your shop or installed on your truck. Our control panels come with easy to follow airflow directional indicators making them very user friendly. The gauges are shock resistant; custom features like lights and powder coated colors are available.

With an air control panel, you are able to control the amount of air you are sending to your SCBA cylinders. This increases refilling efficiency, and reduces the chance of overfilling the cylinder and the possibility of a dangerous cylinder rupture.

Air Hose Reel
A storage device for securing the fill hose on an air cascade system. The reel protects your hose from damage while in the shop or station, and keeps things tidy.

Rewind options include: manual hand crank reels, electric AC or DC powered reels and spring rewind reels.

Air Pack

A commonly used term for self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

Air Purifying Respirator (APR)
A respirator used to filter out airborne contaminants from entering the user's respiratory system.

Air purifying respirator (APR) are often used in cleanup situations, auto painting, and where allergens are present. They should never be used in lieu of a self-contained breathing apparatus for fire fighting operations.

APRs are available in disposable and non-disposable models and replacement filters are available.

Also see: Supplied Air Respirator

Air Quality Testing
Laboratory testing of breathing air produced by a compressor for use in self-contained breathing apparatus.

CGA Grade "D", NFPA 1500 is the standard safety level of breathing air. Systems that produce breathing air in any situation should be evaluated periodically for this safety level to ensure that all purification systems are operating correctly.

ASME Cascade System
These cylinders are usually installed in industrial settings, dive shops, fire stations or on fire trucks. ASME cylinders never need hydrostatic testing due to the massive construction of the individual cylinders. 

These cylinders are dual pressure rated at 5000 and 6000 psi. When used at 5000 or 5250 psi, they have a 4:1 safety factor. The safety factor is 3:1 when cylinders are used at 6000 or 7000 psi.

An approved ASME safety relief valve is required to be used with each cylinder.

Also see: DOT Cascade System

Breathing Apparatus (BA)

Another name for a self contained breathing apparatus or SCBA. 

 

Also see: Self Contained Breathing Apparatus

Blackout Cover
An opaque, form-fitting cover for an SCBA facepiece used for training fire fighters to function in situations without visual references. Volunteer and paid firemen alike find that blackout covers are very effective training devices.

BMR (Belt Mounted Regulator)
A belt mounted regulator is a style of regulator that's mounted on a belt instead of a mask.

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Compressor Purification Filter
High pressure compressor cartridge filter that produces CGA Grade "D", NFPA 1500 breathing air and removes moisture, odor and carbon monoxide. Filters may vary for each model of compressor, and each filter will only process a certain amount of air (in cubic feet) before it needs to be replaced. See the documentation that came with your compressor for the filter's specifications.

Tracking the total cubic feet of air produced by your compressor, compared to the cubic feet of air the filter will purify, will tell you when a new filter is needed. Follow the compressor's installation instructions for filter replacement to ensure the system will operate safely and efficiently.

Also see: High Pressure Air Compressor

Containment Enclosed Fill Station
A fill station with an enclosure design that will contain the cylinder fragments, not the air blast, in the event an SCBA cylinder ruptures during refilling. These units will only fill a cylinder when the door has been shut and locked. These units can be installed in either stationary or mobile applications.

Certain configurations may accommodate the filling of one to three cylinders at once. These units may also be used with a compressor or an air control panel to regulate the air flow to the cylinders.

The most effective use, however, is to install one of these units in your cascade system, allowing you to fill one cylinder when needed, or to fill all of your cylinders at once using the compressor.

Also see: Fragmentation Fill Station

Discount SCBA
New SCBAs are a huge investment, frequently costing thousands of dollars apiece.  Many smaller fire districts simply can not afford to purchase new equipment.  Dalmatian Fire Equipment is the world's largest supplier of Fully Reconditioned and Warranted used or “Discount SCBAs”.  If your department’s budget is stretched, or you are a volunteer firefighter who has to supply his own equipment, consider buying reconditioned equipment from Dalmatian Fire for thousands less than new.

DOT Cascade System
An air cascade system serves as bulk storage of high pressure breathing air to be used to refill breathing apparatus cylinders used in fire fighting, industry and scuba diving. Cascade systems can be used in either stationary or mobile applications. They can be made up of either ASME or DOT storage cylinders. The only practical pressures used in a cascade system are 3600 - 6000 psi. Using 2400 psi storage cylinders is a waste of time and resources. This results in incomplete SCBA cylinder refills, which is against NIOSH regulations and places the user in additional danger.   The DOT cylinders must be hydrostatic tested unlike the ASME cylinders.

Also see: ASME Cascade System

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EBSS (Emergency Breathing Support System)
An EBSS is a buddy breather with Quick Connect.  The EBSS can be equiped with one of four different fittings to ensure rapid connection to another air source.  There are single connections and dual connections for the EBSS. A Dual EBSS also has a separate Universal Air Connection (UAC) that allows access to an air source up to 300 feet away. 

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Emergency Breathing Apparatus (EBA)
The Emergency Breathing Apparatus (or Escape Breathing Apparatus) is designed to provide 5 to 10 minutes of breathing air in emergency situations. These apparatus are designed for ease of use and can be donned and functioning in a matter of seconds.

Like a fire extinguisher, EBA's can be a life saver if made available in large buildings where occupants could be detained while escaping a fire or smoke-filled environment.

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Firefighter SCBA
An SCBA that is fire-rated to withstand the environments in which firefighters must work i.e.harness materials must be heat and flame resistant.

 

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First Stage Regulator / Pressure Reducer
A device that lowers the air pressure delivered directly from a 2216 psig or 4500 psig SCBA cylinder down to approximately 100 psig. The resulting air output then feeds into the SCBA regulator for further pressure reduction to a breathable level.

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Fittings
Fittings for Quick Disconnect are used with Supplied Airline Connections, Buddy Breathers and Universal RIT Connections and are designed to prevent accidental release.

The three most common fittings are: Hansen, Foster and Schrader - all connect by simply pushing the fittings together until they lock. The main difference between them is how they disconnect:

• Hansen: To disconnect, align a groove in the sleeve with a "ball" (BB) imbedded in the socket body and pull the sleeve back. (The Foster and Hansen connectors are interchangeable.)
• Foster: To disconnect, align a groove in the sleeve with a dot that is stamped into the socket body and pull the sleeve back. (The Foster and Hansen connectors are interchangeable.)
• Schrader: To disconnect, twist the sleeve to release. (The Schrader fittings will only work with other Schrader connectors.)

Also see: Quick Connect

Fragmentation Deflector Fill Station
A strong, portable container for refilling SCBA cylinders designed to help reduce most of the flying debris, in the event of a cylinder rupture. Using either a single unit or a double unit, SCBA cylinders can be filled, on location, in an emergency.

Important Note: the fill station will deflect, not suppress, the air blast or fragments associated with a cylinder rupture. When filling a cylinder, be sure not to stand or reach over the deflector while in use.

Fragmentation Fill Station
A Class 3 or Class 4 fill station in which breathing air cylinders can be filled while providing a measure of protection in the event of a cylinder rupture. However, this station will not contain the air blast or fragments from a rupture. It can be coupled with a cascade system, compressor and air booster.

Also see: Containment Enclosed Fill Station

Fumigation SCBA

A self contained breathing apparatus used by people in the fumigation industry to provide respiration protection against harmful chemicals or gasses.

HazMat SCBA

A self contained breathing apparatus used by firefighters or emergency personnel for protection from hazardous materials or substances.

Heads Up Display
An attachment to an SCBA meeting 2002 compliance.  Heads Up Display (HUD) provides LED lights in a module outside of the mask that provides information about the cylinder’s remaining air.

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High Pressure Air Compressor
A machine designed to compress and purify ambient air to high pressures such as 5000-6000 psi air pressure while refilling breathing air systems. Compression usually takes place in three to four stages, and most compressors offer charging rates between 4 to 20 cubic feet per minute. Compressors are driven by a single or three phase electric motor, gasoline or diesel engines. Cartridges are available for the removal of moisture, odor and carbon monoxide. Systems used to refill self-contained breathing apparatus must produce CGA Grade "D" breathing air.

Also see: Compressor Purification Filter

Hydrostatic Testing Equipment
The machine used to test the integrity of air and gas cylinders. Cylinders are placed in a containment tube, surrounded with water and overfilled to test their integrity. This machine accurately measures the tolerances of a cylinder while under pressure, and after the pressure has been released. If the cylinder does not meet the required tolerances, it must be destroyed.

This equipment completely contains the air cylinder making it safe even in the event of a rupture. It also allows those who use air or gas cylinders to test their own breathing air cylinders instead of sending them away for testing.

Also see: SCBA Reconditioning

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Industrial SCBA
An SCBA that is not fire resistant and is used for applications other than firefighting.  These SCBAs are appropriate for industrial confined space applications, in oil fields, heavy industry, or industrial hazardous materials teams (HAZMAT).  NFPA compliant SCBA's can also be used in industrial applications.

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Marine Safety SCBA

An industrial SCBA (self contained breathing apparatus) offering supplied air protection in hazardous situations that can occur in a marine setting.

Mining SCBA 

An industrial SCBA (self contained breathing apparatus) providing breathable air for those working in mining environments.

MMR (Mask Mounted Regulator)
A mask mounted regulator is simply a regulator mounted on your breathing mask.  MSA has several different types, such as quarter turn, push-to-connect (PTC), slide-to-connect (STC), snap-on, etc.  Each manufacturer has their preference.  At Dalmatian we sell and refurbish them all.

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Mobile Air Carts
A DOT cylinder rack in either a vertical or horizontal configuration that can roll on casters and be positioned where you need it in your shop or station.

This offers convenience to fire departments and SCUBA shops when filling many breathing air cylinders loaded on a truck. The cascade system can be taken to the truck instead of unloading the breathing air cylinders off the truck.

If your shop or station is equipped with a compressor, the cascade does not have to be located in the same place as the compressor. It also allows you to put the cascade system away after use, and reduces the possibility of damage to the cascade system.

Also see: DOT Cascade System | ASME Cascade System

Mobile Air Hand Carts
A two-wheel hand cart that is normally equipped with two 30 minute breathing air cylinders, two 25 or 50 foot low pressure air hoses and two face masks. This allows two people to use this unit at one time.

A hand cart is best suited for situations where someone needs to enter a confined space such as down a manhole or into a culvert. In these situations fresh breathing air is needed, but a full SCBA harnessed to them would prevent entry into that area.

Mobile Air Trailer
A trailer with a DOT cascade system mounted inside complete with air control panel and fill hoses that can be towed by truck for on-site refilling of breathing air cylinders. This type of system is often needed when a department has all the vehicles they need, but none of them will accommodate an onboard cascade system. This is a more affordable alternative to meet these needs.

Mobile air trailers also offer the convenience of on-site refilling of underwater breathing air cylinders to SCUBA shops. The cascade can be towed to the location, and with custom graphics, the SCUBA shop has a rolling billboard advertisement at their disposal.

Also see: DOT Cascade System

MSA SCBA  (also MSA Pack)
Self Contained Breathing Apparatus manufactured by Mining Safety Appliances (MSA) with a focus on serving firefighting and rescue teams.

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New Aftermarket Cylinder
An air cylinder produced by a common manufacturer which also supplies cylinders for Scott, MSA, etc., but which is not private labeled as a Scott, MSA, or other SCBA brand.

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Oil Field SCBA
A SCBA that is used in the oil field industry.  Usually, they are industrial type, not for structural fire fighting.

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Oxygen Booster Pump
A powerful device for those who need higher pressure from their oxygen system. It gives you the capability of greatly increasing the psi of your existing oxygen system. This booster works the same way that the air booster pump works, but the flow line throughout the oxygen booster is clean so as not to contaminate the oxygen.

This unit works well for EMS departments and hospitals where the pressure of existing oxygen lines needs to be increased.

Also see: Air Booster Pump

Oxygen Filling System
A system typically designed for filling portable oxygen cylinders from a supply bank of large cylinders. This system is for safe filling of high pressure aluminum or steel oxygen cylinders in a wide range of configurations.

A system such as this is a must for emergency medical services and hospitals needing to refill oxygen cylinders.

Pak Alert
A brand name of the Scott integrated PASS.  They started out as Pak Alert 1000, then Pak Alert SE, and the most recent ones are SE 7.
 

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PASS Alarm
A Personal Alert Safety System (PASS).  The PASS monitors the activity of a firefighter and alarms when activity stops indicating a possible dangerous situation.  It can be manually activated for situations where danger is anticipated. 

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Police SCBA

Self contained breathing apparatus designed for military and law enforcement applications providing breathable air in toxic or oxygen deficient atmospheres i.e. HazMat sites, emergency rescue, riot response, drug lab situations etc.

Prison SCBA

Self contained breathing apparatus used to provide breathable air for HazMat response, riot response (i.e. with tear gas use), confined space entry situations or in the event of a fire.

Quick Connect
A coupling that enables fire fighters to have personal regulators when they share the same pack, and to utilize a buddy breather.

Also see: Fittings

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Quick Fill or Trans-fill
A coupling for trans-fill or remote filling to enable the air pack to be filled while it's on the fire fighter's back.

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Refurbished SCBA's or Reconditioned SCBA's
At Dalmatian Fire Equipment, Inc. we buy used breathing equipment and fully refurbish it to meet the highest safety requirements.  Each SCBA goes through Posi-check for OEM recertification and then is quality checked before being shipped to volunteer firefighters, fire departments on a budget, or industry uses.  All reconditioned equipment is backed by our limited 10 year warranty.
 

RIT (Rapid Intervention Team) Pack
A kit, usually in a bag that contains an air pack with a mask with a quick connect so you can rapidly bring air to downed fire fighters.

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SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus)
A mechanism worn on the backs of rescue workers (especially firefighters) or those working with hazardous materials to provide breathable air in environments that are IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health).  The term “self-contained” means that the apparatus is not dependent on a remote air supply.  The main components of an SCBA are: a high pressure cylinder i.e. 2200 or 4500 psi, a pressure regulator, a face mask and a carrying frame.

Other options include a buddy-breather, motion and heat sensitive alarm, radio communication devices, voice amplifiers, and supplied air respirator. Various straps and modification kits are available for most of the SCBA brands on the market.

Also see: Air Purifying Respirator

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SCBA Cylinder

A high-pressure tank for storing breathable air used by firefighters, rescue workers or those working with hazardous materials.  Cylinder options include 2216 psi (low pressure) 30 minute duration and 4500 psi (high pressure) 30, 45 or 60 minute duration. Cylinder material choices are aluminum, composite or carbon fiber.

SCBA Mask 

The mask is one of the primary features of the SCBA.  Each manufacturer’s mask will have some variations but the basic components are: an opening for the regulator (in the case of a mask-mounted regulator); the speaking diaphragms for speaking through the mask; a nose cup for fog-control within the mask and adjustment straps – temple straps and lower (or jaw) straps to tighten the mask on.

 

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SCBA Mounting Brackets
A storage bracket for SCBA units that can be mounted on the wall in your station or on a truck. The SCBA snaps into the bracket keeping them from moving around during transport.

This type of storage is a good investment when considering the replacement cost of SCBA units.

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SCBA Reconditioning

At Dalmatian Fire Equipment we purchase used SCBA equipment and fully refurbish it to meet the most stringent safety requirements. Our detailed refurbishing process includes in depth cleaning with ultrasonic cleaners and extensive computerized testing to ensure all SCBAs and cylinders meet the required tolerances. At Dalmatian, we stand behind our reconditioned equipment with a ten year warranty.

 

Also see: Hydrostatic Testing Equipment

SCBA Tank

An SCBA tank is another way of saying SCBA cylinder. 

 

Also see: SCBA Cylinder for description

SCBA Testing
All self-contained breathing apparatus must pass an annual performance flow test and must be overhauled at least every three years, even with infrequent use. Apparatus used daily or subjected to particularly severe service, such as extreme temperatures or exposure to chemicals, require more frequent overhauls.

Overhauls include the cleaning or replacement of parts as needed, as well as the cleaning of the harness and high and low pressure hoses and the facemask.

Also see: Hydrostatic Testing and SCBA Reconditioning

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Scott AP50
One of Scott’s line of air packs (AP).  This model comes in low (2216 psi) or high (4500 psi) pressure and various compliance ratings from 1992 to 2007. 

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Scott Air-Pak

Scott’s registered trademark used in the name of many of their SCBA products.  Examples include Scott’s: Air-Pak® 75™ SCBA, Air-Pak® NxG7 SCBA, Air-Pak® 50 SCBA.

Scott Pack
This is a commonly used term to refer to a SCBA manufactured by Scott Health & Safety.  Some people even use this term generally to refer to SCBA’s manufactured by other companies, similar to the use of the term Kleenex to refer in general to a facial tissue.

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SEMS (Scott Electronic Management System)

Scott Electronic Management System (SEMS) is a revolutionary firefighter tracking system that can be added to your department's packs.  This remarkable accountability system is the first integrated motion sensor device

to include a transceiver to send and receive critical information between individual firefighters and the command station.  The system provides improved personnel accountability, on-site fire scene management, and

enhanced personal safety for firefighters.  The system can be easily retrofitted to existing Pak-Alert SE devices.

 

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Scott Wire Frame
Part of the Scott line of air packs.  The frame is constructed of 3/16” rod that resembles wire, thus the name, Wire Frame.   This model comes in low (2216 psi) or high (4500 psi) pressure and various compliance ratings from 1992 to 2002. 

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Second Stage Regulator / Breathing Regulator
A device that receives the reduced-pressure breathing air from the First Stage or Reducer and delivers it to the facepiece/mask at a pressure that is comfortable to breathe. Modern regulators produce air at a small positive-pressure of 2 to 3 psig that flows into the facepiece/mask allowing the user to have a constant flow of breathing air while also preventing contaminated air from entering the mask. 

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SKA Pack
An industrial air pack by Scott that provides supplied air and has a 5 or 10 minute air cylinder for emergency escape.

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Sperian SCBA

A self contained breathing apparatus manufactured by Sperian Protection Group designed to protect workers against respiratory hazards in many different environments.

Supplied Air Respirator (SAR)
A respirator that provides the user with clean air from a self-contained source.  The source could be a cylinder in the case of an SCBA or SKA pack; or it could be an airline that provides clean air from a source outside the contaminated environment.

Escape SARs are used in confined spaces too small for the use of an industrial SCBA, but where the operator needs a supply of breathing air. Similar in operation to an SCBA, the user wears a facepiece and the air is supplied from a breathing air cylinder or an airline. They should never be used in lieu of a self-contained breathing apparatus for fire fighting operations.

Also see: Air Purifying Respirator

Survivair SCBA

Self contained breathing apparatus under the brand name Survivair which was acquired by the Sperian Protection Group in 1996.

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Thread Saver®
The ultimate in cylinder valve thread protection. Damaged valve threads can disable your SCBA just when you need it most. A damaged valve can cost up to $225 to repair. Thread Saver® provides protection by helping to keep dirt, dust, sand, snow, ice and water away from your low or high pressure valve threads.

Thread Saver® will keep the threads from being flattened if the cylinder would ever be dropped. Threads on the valve that are damaged can also damage the threads on the air hose. This is an inexpensive way to prevent cylinder valve damage.

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Ultrasonic Cleaner
A device that offers cleaning that is faster, more thorough, and safer than any other method. This method of cleaning is far more effective than scrubbing, soaking and steam cleaning. It's powerful enough to remove heavy oils, waxes, or proteins, penetrating enough to deflux circuit boards and SMDs, yet gentle enough to clean tiny precision assemblies.

Ultrasonic sound waves moving though a cleaning solution create an effect called cavitation, the rapid formation and implosion of microscopic bubbles. Heat enhances the process. The deep-cleaning action of ultrasonics removes even the most stubborn dirt and contaminants.

Used SCBA
At Dalmatian Fire Equipment we buy used breathing equipment and fully refurbish each unit to the highest safety standards.  Each unit is thoroughly cleaned and repaired to look and function like new. The refurbishment process also includes many extensive computerized tests including the Posi-check testing to OEM specification, and others such as electromagnetic eddy-testing of cylinder threads for microscopic cracks.  Cylinders are tested under DOT license using hydrostatic testing.

 

All of Dalmatian's reconditioned equipment has a limited 10 year warranty.

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Ziamatic SCBA Mounting Brackets
A storage bracket for SCBA units that can be mounted on the wall in your station or on a truck. The SCBA snaps into the bracket keeping it from moving around during transport.

This type of storage is a good investment when considering the replacement cost of SCBA units.
 

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