TM 55-1930-209-14&P-17
e.
After fire appears to be out, watch for several more minutes for possible "flashbacks" or small recurrences of
flame.
f.
Start cleanup operations immediately after fire is extinguished. Dry chemical agents from extinguisher may
corrode equipment and machinery if not cleaned immediately.
g.
Immediately notify supporting fire marshal of requirement to recharge empty extinguishers.
4-11.3 CO2 portable extinguishers. Procedures in paragraph 4-11.2 apply to use of CO2 extinguishers, with these
modifications:
a.
With CO2, for operator safety, it is even more important that operator stay upwind (breeze on the back) of fire.
b.
Cleanup after fire can be done with less haste since CO2 chemicals are not as corrosive as dry chemicals.
4-12 Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
4-12.1 Preparing and putting on SCBA
WARNINGS
All SCBA's onboard must contain an air cylinder marked with a large
yellow
stripe or triangle. Different SCBA's, although similar in appearance, use
· different types of air cylinders. Those onboard use low-pressure,
natural air
(not oxygen) pressured to 2216 psi when full and marked with a yellow
stripe or
triangle. Other SCBA's have similar cylinders pressured to 4500 psi and
marked with green. If a SCBA is attached to the wrong type of cylinder, it
may
initially check out but could fail during use.
The SCBA may not provide a satisfactory face seal with certain physical
· characteristics such as beards or full sideburns. An improper seal
around the
facepiece limits the protection provided by the SCBA and the user risks
death
or serious bodily injury.
a.
Remove SCBA from fiberglass storage container and make sure air cylinder is marked with large yellow triangle.
Check that cylinder valve assembly pressure gauge (Figure 4-6) shows 2200 psi, indicating a full air tank
Pressure reading of 800 psi or less indicates air tank is no longer usable. Pressure reading above 1300 lbs
indicates air tank may provide air for about 5 minutes before low pressure warning bell sounds.
b.
Put on SCBA by using one of these two methods:
(1)
Over-the-head method
(a)
Extend shoulder straps to their full length.
(b)
Lean forward so the flat of the back is horizontal.
(c)
With backplate facing up and cylinder control assembly nearest the operator's face, grasp the cylinder
and backplate between cylinder clamp and waist belt with both hands.
(d)
Lift SCBA straight up and over the head and place it on the shoulders. Shoulder straps should fall
into place over the shoulders, and the cylinder control assembly is now in the small of the operator's
back
(e)
Adjust straps before straightening up. Fasten waist belt tight. If further adjustment is required, lean
forward until back is horizontal and make adjustments. Using chest strap is optional.
4-23
