Houston TX – September, 2020 – ‘BA’ or ‘Breathing Apparatus’ can come in different types. It is important to understand the distinction if you are responsible for ordering the apparatus for your organization.
First of all, let’s understand the need for breathing apparatuses. Breathing Apparatus, or BA, is used where the air is not suitable for breathing and a filter mask or powered air filter system may not be enough.
Breathing Apparatus can be 3 main types – Escape, Self-Contained and Airline.
Escape Breathing Apparatus (Escape BA)
Escape Breathing Apparatus is used for the purpose of self-rescue from an environment may have become hazardous after entry.
The most common example of Escape BA use is a confined space where there may be no immediate danger from gas or oxygen deficiency but the risk of that danger exists. In such situations, carrying an Escape BA enables the user to put it on and rescue themselves from a hazardous environment.
An Escape BA set usually consists of a small compressed air cylinder that supplies air into a face piece. The sets are usually supplied with a close-fitting face mask or with a loose fitting hood. Regular users prefer the familiarity of a close-fitting mask, whilst one-time users may be more comfortable with a loose fitting hood in an emergency. The loose fitting hood also allows users to wear glasses.
Self- Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
The Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus or SCBA is needed for entering a hazardous environment, for example, firemen need SCBA to enter areas with smoke and noxious gases. However, SCBA can also be used in places where there is a toxic gas, asphyxiate or oxygen deficient environment.
An SCBA set consists of 3 components –
- a compressed air cylinder
- a back-plate that holds the cylinder and reduces the air from high pressure to medium pressure
- a face mask
An SCBA apparatus allows the user to move around freely as opposed to being attached to an airline.
However, the SCBA cylinder has a relatively short supply time and the cylinder adds to the size of the apparatus, which may hinder movement through smaller spaces. To resolve this, cylinders are available in many different sizes. That can help to improve supply duration and manoeuvrability.
Airline Breathing Apparatus
In the Airline Breathing Apparatus, compressed air is supplied through an airline. The compressed air source should deliver the air that has been quality tested, and may be supplied from a cylinder bank or breathing air compressor, which may be fixed or mobile.
If you are looking for chemical paper disposable suit or SCBA Escape Pack in Houston, TX, talk to Green Light Safety at 832-262-9931 right away. With over 15 years’ experience in this industry, Green Light Safety specializes in rentals, sales and service of Gas Detection equipment as well as calibration of the equipment.