Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024
(a) Approved Equipment.
(1) Approvals. Fire fighters exposed to
harmful exposure in the course of their assigned activities shall be provided
with, and shall use respiratory protective devices that are approved and
certified in accordance with Section
5144, and the methods and
requirements specified by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH) under 42 CFR part 84.
(b) Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
(SCBA).
(1) Respiratory protective devices
provided for and used by fire fighters in structural fire fighting activity
shall be limited to those types classified as self-contained breathing
apparatus (SCBA), and combination breathing apparatus of the supplied-air
positive-pressure type.
(2) SCBA
shall be selected, cleaned, inspected, and maintained in accordance with the
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1852, Standard on Selection, Care,
and Maintenance of Open-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), 2019
Edition, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
(A) Effective Jan. 1, 2026, if available and
in keeping with NIOSH approvals, the facepieces of SCBA shall be upgraded to
facepieces that meet the Lens Radiant Heat Resistance Performance and Elevated
Temperature Heat and Flame Resistance Performance requirements of NFPA 1981,
Standard on Open-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for
Emergency Services, 2013 or 2019 Edition, which are hereby incorporated by
reference.
(3)
Closed-circuit SCBA shall not be used by fire fighters except where it has been
demonstrated that long duration breathing apparatus is necessary. If such
breathing devices are used, quantitative fit tests providing a minimum
protection factor of 5,000 shall be performed on each individual using the long
duration breathing apparatus. The quantitative fit test procedures shall be
available for inspection by the Division.
(A)
Close-circuit SCBA shall be NIOSH-certified with a minimum rated service life
of at least 2 hours and shall operate in the positive-pressure mode
only.
(c)
General Requirements.
(1) Written Standard
Procedures. The employer shall develop and implement comprehensive written
standard operating procedures for the use, care, maintenance, and training
relating to respiratory protective equipment in accordance with Section
5144.
(2) SCBA shall be worn during overhaul
operations unless the employer can demonstrate that a lesser level of
protection provides for employee safety.
(3) Operating Service Time. Respiratory
protective devices provided for use by fire fighters shall have a rated service
time of at least 30 minutes in accordance with the methods and requirements
specified by NIOSH 42 CFR part 84 .
EXCEPTION: Respiratory protective devices of less than
30 minutes rated service time shall only be used for escape, rescue and
observation.
(4)
Buddy-Breathing. Approved SCBA may be equipped with either a "buddy-breathing"
device or a quick disconnect valve, even if these devices are not certified by
NIOSH. If these accessories are used, they shall not cause damage to the
apparatus, or obstruct the normal operation of the apparatus.
(5) Air Cylinders. NIOSH-approved
open-circuit SCBA shall be used with the approved cylinder from the same
manufacturer. Cylinders that are not labeled as being NIOSH-certified shall not
be used.
EXCEPTION: During an emergency (mutual or automatic
aid) situation, cylinders with the same pressure rating from different
manufacturers may be used when cylinders from the same manufacturer are not
immediately available on the scene.
(d) Positive Pressure. Except as permitted in
Section 3409(b)(3), all
compressed air SCBA used in fire fighting activity shall be of positive
pressure type.
1.
Amendment of subsection (c)(2) filed 9-11-80; effective thirtieth day
thereafter (Register 80, No. 37).
2. Amendment filed 4-29-85;
effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 85, No. 18).
3.
Amendment of subsection (b)(1) filed 3-20-95; operative 4-19-95 (Register 95,
No. 12).
4. Amendment of subsections (a)(1) and (b)(3) filed
8-25-98; operative 11-23-98 (Register 98, No. 35).
5. Change without
regulatory effect amending subsection (b)(2) filed 12-30-99 pursuant to section
100, title 1, California Code of
Regulations (Register 99, No. 53).
6. Amendment of section and NOTE
filed 11-7-2022; operative 1-1-2023 (Register 2022, No. 45). Transmission
deadline specified in Government Code section
11349.3(b)
extended 60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-40-20 and an additional
60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-71-20. Filing deadline specified
in Government Code section
11349.3(a)
extended 60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-40-20 and an additional
60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order
N-71-20.
Note: Authority cited: Section
142.3, Labor
Code. Reference: Sections
142.3 and
147.4, Labor
Code.
