Light and air unit

An air and light unit, also known as a breathing support unit or mobile air unit, is a specialized firefighting apparatus used by first responders to provide supplemental lighting and self-contained breathing apparatus cylinders and cylinder filling services at the scene of an emergency.[1] During prolonged incidents surrounding an immediate danger to life or health environment, first responders working in unsafe environments wear a self-contained breathing apparatus. The depleted air cylinders within the breathing apparatus must be replaced and refilled throughout the incident.[2] The air and light unit can refill the cylinders while in the field using an onboard air compressor and cascade system.[1] It also carries a supply of spare air cylinders. Air and light units are highly customizable and can vary significantly between departments.[3] Units are also equipped with diesel generators, which supply electricity to power portable lights and overall scene illumination equipment.[4] This is usually done via a roof-mounted telescoping light bank. Units may typically supply electrical power in an emergency to a shelter, base camp, or medical facility.[citation needed]

In the United States, Chapter 24 of National Fire Protection Association Regulation 1901 outlines specifications for any air system mounted on firefighting apparatus.[5]

  1. ^ a b "Light Air 1" (PDF). Santa Barbara County Fire. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  2. ^ "Apparatus". Los Angeles Fire Department. 2014-08-05. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  3. ^ "Air & Light Unit". E-One. Archived from the original on 27 February 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  4. ^ Peters, William (9 January 2012). "Apparatus Purchasing: Back to Basics". Fire Engineering Magazine. 165 (6). Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  5. ^ "24 - Air Systems", Standard for Automated Fire Apparatus (NFPA 1901) (2009 ed.), National Fire Protection Association, pp. 92–100