Self-contained breathing apparatus

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Self-contained breathing apparatus
Other name(s)	SCBA, compressed air breathing apparatus, breathing apparatus
Regulated by	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, National Fire Protection Association
Regulation	42 CFR 84, EN 137, NFPA 1981
NIOSH schedule	TC-13F
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Interwiki links Related media at Wikimedia Commons: Category:42 CFR Part 84 Category:30 CFR Part 11 On Wikisource: NIOSH TB guide 42 CFR 84 guide Changes in Occupational Safety Regs Will Permit Better Respirators to Protect Against Dust and Disease NIOSH Change Will Save Health Care Industry Millions Differences Between Part 11 and Part 84 For firefighters: SCBA cylinder advisory following exposure to acidic agents Terrorism and CBRN defense (with SCBAs) meeting by NIOSH, circa March-April 2001 Flashover postmortem—with information on SCBAs Counterfeit respirators: Letter to All Users of Supplied-Air Respirators Use of Unapproved Supplied-Air Respirators in the Paint Spray and Automotive Refinishing Industries Image on left: User seal check
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A self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is a respirator worn to provide an autonomous supply of breathable gas in an atmosphere that is immediately dangerous to life or health from a gas cylinder.^[1] They are typically used in firefighting and industry. The term self-contained means that the SCBA is not dependent on a remote supply of breathing gas (e.g., through a long hose). They are sometimes called industrial breathing sets. Some types are also referred to as a compressed air breathing apparatus (CABA) or simply breathing apparatus (BA). Unofficial names include air pack, air tank, oxygen cylinder or simply pack, terms used mostly in firefighting. If designed for use under water, it is also known as a scuba set (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus).

An open circuit SCBA typically has three main components: a high-pressure gas storage cylinder, (e.g., 2,216 to 5,500 psi (15,280 to 37,920 kPa), about 150 to 374 atmospheres), a pressure regulator, and a respiratory interface, which may be a mouthpiece, half mask or full-face mask, assembled and mounted on a framed carrying harness.^[2]

A self-contained breathing apparatus may fall into one of three categories: open-circuit, closed-circuit,^[3] or continuous-flow.^[4]