Open-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Remaining Service-Life Indicator Performance Requirements

On June 25, 2012, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a notice of proposed rulemaking [77FR37862], proposing to update respirator approval standards under 42 CFR Part 84 in response to a petition to amend 42 CFR 84.83(f), current requirements for self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) remaining service-life indicators or warning devices. These indicators are built into a respirator to alert the user that the breathing air provided by the respirator is close to depletion. In this final rule [78FR2618] published on January 14, 2013, HHS responds to public comment on the proposed rule and revises the current standard, employed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) located within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to allow greater flexibility in the setting of the indicator alarm to ensure that the alarm more effectively meets the different worker protection needs of different work operations. This final rule sets a minimum alarm point at 25 percent of the rated service time and allows the manufacturer to offer remaining service life set point at a higher value or values appropriate to the purchaser’s use scenario.

To view the notice and related material visit http://www.regulations.gov/, enter CDC-2013-0009 in the search field, then click “Search”.

Background Information

Notice of final rule; 78FR2618 [PDF – 236 KB]