FPUD approves SCBA replacement

Fallbrook Public Utility District (FPUD) will be obtaining new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) systems which will allow employees in confined spaces to operate safely in contaminated environments.

A 5-0 FPUD board vote Aug. 25 approved the purchase of the MSA 4500 AirHawk II systems from R.J. Safety Supply, a San Diego company which submitted the low responsive bid of $29,913.92 including tax and freight. The purchase will cover 12 air mask units, 12 twin cartridge adapters, 12 lens covers for face pieces, three air respirators, and three spectacle kits for face pieces.

“The existing equipment was approaching the end of its useful life, so this was a replacement with the latest technology,” said FPUD general manager Brian Brady.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) both have standards which specify minimum requirements for breathing air quality, and the NFPA and OSHA standards are periodically updated. FPUD currently uses ISI Viking equipment manufactured by International Safety Instruments, Inc., and those SCBA units were in compliance with the 1999 standards.

The 2013 NFPA standards included a higher thermal degradation level for the face piece lens and an earlier threshold for the end of service time indicator that the air level in the SCBA cylinder has reached a certain level. FPUD’s current SCBA equipment alerts the user when 25 percent of the air is left in the air cylinder. The 2013 NFPA standards require the low pressure alarm to alert the user when 33 percent of the air remains.

The change in the level requiring the user to be alerted means that SCBA manufacturers will not be able to retrofit or upgrade FPUD’s existing SCBA units to meet the change in the air pack requirement. FPUD staff determined that the best solution was to replace the units and update them to meet the most recent NFPA standards.

In 2013, the North County Fire Protection District replaced its ISI Viking SCBA equipment with MSA AirHawk II units. FPUD’s switch to MSA will allow for compatibility with the fire department, providing interchangeable gear during incidents and streamlining combined rescue training or a live rescue process. Mine Safety Appliances, Inc., (MSA), was founded in 1912 and subsequently expanded to provide safety equipment to other industries.

Five companies submitted proposals to FPUD. The R.J. Safety Supply total covers $27,698.07 for the equipment and $2,215.85 for tax.