I agree with using a vendor. When doing flow tests in house, not only does one have to purchase and maintain the correct testing equipment but one must also have the properly trained/certified personnel to perform the tests and do any needed repairs. We have a few hundred SCBAs and we still hire outside contractors for flow testing, only routine inspections are done in house. The good news is that regular flow testing cuts down repair cost. The better news is that you can feel more confident that when you need an SCBA it will actually work.
Alicia Frazier
Industrial Hygienist
Lake Charles, Louisiana 70602
Office (337) 708-4203
Fax (337) 708-4903
Mobile (337) 244-0229
Alicia.Frazier**At_Symbol_Here**axiall.com
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU]
On Behalf Of NEAL LANGERMAN
Sent: Friday, October 25, 2013 2:36 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] SCBA Flow Testing
Use a vendor to test the SCBAs annually. It is way too expensive to purchase the correct performance test apparatus. Regardless of what other institutions are doing, you must have your units performance checked annually.
nl
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Standard confidentiality terms apply
NEAL LANGERMAN, Ph.D..
ADVANCED CHEMICAL SAFETY, Inc.
PO Box 152329
SAN DIEGO CA 92195
011(619) 990-4908 (phone, 24/7)
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU]
On Behalf Of Brandon S. Chance
Sent: Thursday, October 24, 2013 10:13 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] SCBA Flow Testing
EHSers,
I recently inherited our SCBA program and had a few questions. While not mentioned in OSHA's respiratory protection program, NFPA does require flow-testing for all SCBA units. Since NFPA and the manufacturer both require this, I am reasonably assuming that it then falls under the OSHA general duty clause.
I was just curious as to how many of my sister institutions are annually flow testing their SCBA units and if they purchased the equipment to do so in-house or use outside companies? I am already using outside companies to hydrostatically test my cylinders to get them up to date and I am using the cascade system at our fire house to fill them.
We currently have Survivair Puma/Cougar units.
Thanks for your input.
Brandon S. Chance, M.S., CCHO
Program Manager, Chemical Safety
Environmental Health and Safety
Princeton University
262 Alexander Street
Princeton, NJ 08540
609-258-7882 (office)
609-955-1289 (mobile)
609-258-1804 (fax)
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