Annexure

Technical Specifications for Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)

1. Requirement: 6 No. of Sets

Positive pressure open circuit compressed air self-contained BA set having safe working duration of at 45
minutes including 10 minutes safety margin.

It should have approval from BS / EN 136, 137, 139/93 or ISO 9001 and should bear mark of relevant
specification. The set should operate efficiently in variety of harsh environment and capable of
withstanding rough uses of fire brigade i.e. hot, cold, wet, humid, cramped and zero visibility and must be
simple to wear.

The weight and ergonomics of the set, when fitted with ancillary equipment should be so designed that it
is spread over the frame of the human skeleton, and not to cause physical damage to the wearer and is
comfortable. Design of set should allow for safe accessible stowage in appliance crew cabs or lockers.

It should be as compact as possible with no sharp edges, burrs or protruding parts likely to be caught on
projections and narrow passages. The apparatus shall continue to function satisfactorily after being
submerged into the water to maximum depth of one meter.

The total weight of set with filled cylinder should not exceed 12 kg.
3. Breathing Apparatus Cylinder:

Should be of seamless super light weight cylinder of adequate water capacity for 45 minutes effective
duration at filling pressure not exceeding 300 bar duly hydro-tested to 1.5 times of filling pressure, (must
bear ISO/BS/DIN/NIOSH/EN mark on body of cylinder).

Should have test certificate from authorized test station of the country from where it has been imported/
manufactured. It must have approval from CCE, Nagpur and should be painted as per latest cylinder
rules.

The cylinder should be marked with photo luminescent strip in which a way that when set is assembled it
is visible from back side to trace/ follow the BA wearer in smoke filled compartment. Colour code should
be as per IS 3933:1966 (colour identification of gas cylinders and related equipment for medical purpose)

The cylinder shall contain a closing valve incorporating a pressure gauge for indication of pressure of the
cylinder at all times.

The air pressure of the cylinder should be reduced by a two stage pressure reduction system.

Air quality of cylinder for supplied air respirator should be as per specified in Annex A of IS 9623:2008

Cylinders manufactured for more than one year shall not be acceptable.

4. Cylinder Valve:

The cylinder valve should be both hand operated, perpendicular to cylinder but should not protrude
beyond cylinder width, having safety device to prevent accidentally closure of valve.

The design of valve should be such that in case of spindle is broken it can be repaired when cylinder is
full.

Cylinder valve should bear mark of relevant specification and should have approval of BS/EN/DIN/NIOSH.
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 A test certificate from authorized test lab & approval of CCOE, Nagpur should also be supplied.

The valve assembly must include anti- debris tube for preventing the debris flowing from the cylinder to
air circuit and should also have universal coupling for connecting different type of sets and air
compressor.

A blank cap should be provided to protect cylinder valve threads.

Compact designed should reduce the cylinder pressure up to 7 to 10 bars to meet the design requirement
of demand valve and should maintain the same reduced pressure even with decreasing cylinder pressure.

It should have built in pressure relief valve, designed to prevent excess pressure in the low pressure
circuit and also safety device to restrict the flow in high pressure circuit in case of failure/ damage of high
pressure hose.

The pressure reducer also contains the sintered metal filter for filtering out particles up to size of 20
microns or greater. It shall be in open position against the high pressure inlet and shall in the direction of
air flow.
6. Second-Man Attachment:

Provision for second man/ airline attachment should be provided. The design should be such that through
same connection air from another BA wearer can be fed and also the second face mask could be used.
Coupling used should be quick release type.

Suitable hose connection to feed air from one BA set to another BA set should be provided.
7. Integrated Control Unit:

Water proof pressure gauge having luminous dial reading up to 400 bars should be positioned in such a
way that it can be read by BA wearer conveniently.

It should be mounted in stainless steel case having corrosion resistance and protected by rubber cover.
Gauge dial should be photo luminescent and shatter proof polycarbonate glass.

It should be mounted on left shoulder. The dial must be marked red to indicate low pressure in the
cylinder, in addition to warning whistle set to operate at a pressure when it is left with a 10 minutes air in
the cylinder. It should be protected by safety device including restriction valve that will limit the loss of air
in event of damage of pressure gauge to 10 liters/ minute maximum.

The system incorporates a gauge to monitor the following:

BA set must be provided with low pressure warning whistle, which shall operate automatically, when
cylinder pressure drops to a predetermined pressure (i.e. air in the cylinder is left for 10 minutes at the
rate of 40 liters/ minute) for safety margins.

It should not be externally adjustable, and the consumption air by warning whistle should not exceed 5
liters/ minute. It should be positioned at left shoulder for easy hearing and should not produce sound less
that 90 db.
9. Hoses:

Hoses should be impact resistant and flame resistant stainless steel braided over hydra covered hose and
fitted with suitable coupling, or manufactured with suitable material to withstand desired operational
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 objective.
10. Demand Valve:

The valve should have compact design, low profile, automatic positive pressure, operable with first
breath/ quick fitting coupling when fixed with supply to wearer on demand to perform various nature of
hard/ strenuous job during fire fighting, rescue etc. in smoke/ toxic, hot, humid and hazardous
atmosphere.

It should be quiet in operation to prevent disturbance during communication between BA wearers. It

It should continue to function satisfactorily after being submerged in water to a maximum depth of one
meter, once worn by BA wearer. The provision of shut off button on demand valve assembly should also
be made for stopping air flow in face mask, which should be capable of de-activating on next breath. The
coupling should be of quick release mechanism type to unplugged demand valve from the mask
connector.
11. Full Face Mask:

The mask must be made from Silicon or EPDM – rubber.

It should be pan-seal including optically correct and with full view replaceable visor made from poly-
carbonate having resistance to chemicals and shock and should be ant scratch.

The inner mask should allow the air to pass across the visor to keep it free from condensation and should
reduce the dead space within the face-mask to prevent accumulation of carbon-dioxide to uncomfortable
level.

Speech diaphragm for effective communication should be provided. A safety device should be
incorporated in the exhalation valve to release excess pressure in the face mask than the design positive
pressure.

It should be provided with suitable strap with locking for easy donning the face mask. Strap made of fire
retardant material should also be provided. It should have double reflex sealing and quick fitting plug-in
connection for demand valve.

This mask should bear mark of relevant specification.

For preventing the deterioration of face-mask from the effect of ultra violet light and also dust etc., a
suitable black bag shall be provided with each face mask.

Special adjustable rubber straps allow attaching the mask to the helmet quickly and securely, without
need to take off the helmet. Similarly, the mask can be comfortably detached from the helmet if there is
no longer a need for respiratory protection during work.

Manufacturers /suppliers shall submit fit-up test, exhalation and inhalation valve resistant test report
conducted by authorized agencies / notified body according to IS/EN or CE standards.
12. Harness:

The harness should be fire resistance, should not deteriorate or shrink in contact with water/ moisture/
water miscible substances or on contact with oil grease etc., and also provide resistance to chemicals, it
neither should not built up static electricity nor should retain static charge.

It should be fully adjustable to be worn by a fireman having variation in height and waist size. The design
should be such that wearer could don the apparatus quickly without the aid of another including the chest
strap, if provided should be easily distinguishable by touch. The method of fastening should be of similar
and also the adjustment. The buckles provided should be quick release type. The light weight webbing
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 harness ensures optimal load distribution, balance, comfort and reduced wearer fatigue.
13. Back Plate:

Adjustable back plate with an innovative foldable protective foot made of composite material/ light weight
carbon fiber, ergonomically and ribbed design covered with flame retardant anti-slip neoprene to prevent
the possibility of incurring radiant heat burn through the direct contact with metal and should give
maximum safety to the wearer in all the difficult situations such as, rough working conditions during fire
fighting operations, cold, hot, wet/ humid and cramped atmosphere.

The back place should be designed to carry the different diameters of BA cylinders. The strap should have
quick release coupling for changing cylinder. Back plate also includes strong carrying handle.
14. Carrying Case:

a) A standard strong carrying case to store complete assembled BA set along with BA cylinder should be
provided. It should be designed in such a way that all parts of the assembled set could be placed in its
proper position.

b) A black colour plastic bag to avoid deterioration due to the effect of ultra violet light and also to
prevent mask being contaminated by oil, fuel, dust etc. It will be used to cover the face mask and then
store it in the carrying case.
15. Test Clauses:

Type of Test:
Any set of breathing apparatus offered in fulfillment of this specification should pass satisfactorily the
following test as are relevant to the class of apparatus offered. It is intended that these tests should be
made at the manufacturers’/ suppliers works or fire brigade or elsewhere, to be arranged by
manufacturer/ suppliers at their own cost.
16. Test Details:

A. Performance:
Two tests with each of two identical sets to ensure that the apparatus causes no undue discomfort to the
average wearer for full period of 30 minutes. Each test should be carried-out by a different wearer. For
these tests each wearer will walk at a regular rate 6.4 km / hour on level ground and also at higher speed
to check the performance of demand valve.

B. Low Cylinder Pressure Warning Device:

C. Demand Valve:
Tests to check fulfillment of the requirements laid down in the EN specifications.

D. Approval:
The approval from any of the approved tests houses like DIN/BS/NIOSH/EN –shall be essential.

E. CO2Test:
To check that CO2 proportion of inspired air does not exceed 2%. Samples to be taken as near to the
mouth as possible at 10 minutes interval during the performance test as laid down in EN specification.

F. Temperature:
Test to check that during the performance test, the temperature of the inspired air does not exceed 20°C
above the ambient temperature of the atmosphere in which the apparatus is worn and reading to be
taken at the 10 minutes intervals.

G. Tests of Acceptance:
a) Acceptance test should include a performance test, leakage test, flow test, safety devices functional
test, low pressure warning test.

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 b) The apparatus shall continue to function satisfactorily after being submerged in water to a maximum
depth of one meter.
17. Workmanship and Finish:

It is essential that the standard of workmanship and finish of all parts is such that replacement parts can
be supplied and that they will fit correctly and without difficulty. Exposed metal parts would have a finish
which can be kept up without the use of metal polish or any other special preparation.
18. Tools:

Tools necessary for routine testing and servicing must be provided with each set along with one kit of
consumable spares.
19. Instruction Book:

An instruction book in English, for the guidance of the user including both operating and normal
maintenance procedure must be supplied. The book must include an itemized and illustrated spare parts
list, giving reference numbers to all parts.
20. Training:

The supplier shall provide training to selected staff / Officer for operation and maintenance of BA set.
21. Spares:

Supplier shall ensure availability and supply of fast moving spares at short notice for at least five years.
The supplier shall provide a price list of such spares along with commercial bid.
22. Warranty / Guaranty:

The apparatus shall be covered by a warranty providing protection against defects in materials or
workmanship for a period of ten (10) years, except for the pressure reducer, which shall be covered for
fifteen (15) years.

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