WALLED LAKE FIRE DEPARMENT

STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE

DATE OF ISSUE
January 30, 2006

SUBJECT:
SCBA DONNING & DOFFING
REFERENCE:
CANCELS

.10

FILE CODE
S.O.G. # 404
AMENDS

EFFECTIVE DATE
Same

Pg. 1 of 3
EXPIRATION DATE
Indefinite

PURPOSE
It is the policy of the Walled Lake Fire Department that all personnel expected to respond and
function in areas of potential oxygen deficiency or atmospheric contamination shall be trained in
the proper use of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Donning and doffing your SCBA
firefighters need to be proficient in a number of different ways.

.20

DIVISIONS AFFECTED
.21

.30

RESPONSIBILITY
.31

.40

All Fire Department Personnel.

It shall be the responsibility of all officers and members on the department to conform with
and utilize this policy.

PROCEDURE
.41

Donning Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus, Over the Head Method:

A.
Check the air supply of the SCBA unit. The cylinder gauge must indicate the
cylinder is full (100 percent).
B.
Slowly open the cylinder valve 2 to 3 full turns and listen for the low air alarm to
activate as the regulator pressurizes. After the alarm sounds, open the cylinder
valve fully. If it does not sound, or does not stop sounding, place the unit out of
service.
C.
Compare the cylinder gauge to the regulator gauge. These gauges must be within
100 psi of each other.
D.
Spread and fully extend the harness assembly straps (shoulder and waist straps).
E.
With the cylinder valve pointing away from you, grasp the back plate and /or
cylinder with both hands. All straps should be outside of your hands.
F.
With the regulator hanging freely, lower your head, and lift the back
plate/cylinder overhead. Using your elbows to extend though the loops formed by
the shoulder straps. Pull the shoulder straps into the body and grasp them with the
hands. Let the shoulder straps slide though the hands as the unit slides into place.

G.

H.

Balance the unit on your back by leaning forward, and tighten the shoulder straps by
pulling out and down. Grasp the waist strap and buckle the belt, adjusting the belt for
a firm fit on the hips.
Once the SCBA unit is in place, refer to the section on the SCBA face piece for
detailed donning instructions.

.42

Donning Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus, Coat Method.

A.
Follow steps .41-A, B, C, D.
B.
Spread and fully extend the harness assembly straps (shoulder and waist straps).
C.
Position the SCBA unit with the cylinder valve towards you. Using your left
hand, grasp the left shoulder strap at the top of the back plate/harness assembly
and grasp the lower portion of the same strap with your right hand. When the
unit is positioned correctly, the left shoulder strap will be on your right as you
face the SCBA unit.
D.
Lift the SCBA unit, swing it around the left shoulder and onto your back. Both
hands are still grasping the shoulder strap.
E.
Holding the left shoulder strap with your left hand, release your right hand and
put your right arm through the right shoulder strap.
F.
Balance the unit on your back by leaning forward. Tighten the shoulder straps
by pulling out and down on the straps. Grasp the waist strap and buckle the belt,
adjusting the belt for a firm fit on the hips.
G.
Once the SCBA unit is in place, refer to the section on the SCBA face piece for
detailed donning instructions.

.43

Donning Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus, Seat Mounted Apparatus

A.
Check the cylinder valve prior to response, if possible. Do not attempt to check
the unit when the vehicle is in motion. Using the buddy system, turn the unit on
and check the cylinder gauge when you dismount the apparatus.
B.
With the straps fully extended, place the right arm between the right shoulder
strap and back plate assembly. Repeat this action for the left arm.
C.
Tighten the shoulder straps by pulling out and down on the straps. Grasp the
waist strap and buckle the belt, adjusting the belt for a firm fit on the hips. Do
not entangle the waist belt with the vehicle seat belt.
D.
With a partner, slowly open the cylinder valve 2 to 3 full turns and listen for the
low air alarm to activate as the regulator pressurizes. After the alarm sounds,
open the cylinder valve fully. If the alarm does not sound, or does not stop
sounding, place the unit out of service and use another unit. Again
completing the first two steps. Compare the cylinder gauge to the regulator
gauge. These gauges must read within 100psi of each other.

.44

Donning the SCBA Face Piece Regulations

.441. Each firefighter must be fitted for the face piece to be used with a
particular manufacturers SCBA as required by OSHA 29 CFR
1910.134:
A. 29 CFR 1910.134 (f)(1)
The employer shall ensure that the employees using a tight-fitting facepiece respirator
pass an appropriate qualitative fit test (QLFT) or quantitative fit test (QNFT) as stated
2

in this paragraph. 1910.134(f)(2). The employer shall ensure that an employee using a
tight-fitting facepiece respirator, when ever a different respirator facepiece (size, style,
model or make) is used, and at least annually thereafter.
B. In addition, 29 CFR 1910.134, NFPA 1404, and SCBA manufacturers
recommendations prohibit any facial hair, which may interfere with proper fit
and seal of the face piece.
.45

Donning the SCBA Face Piece

A. With the head straps/harness in the full out position, hold the head harness
with one hand while placing the face piece on the face, with the chin properly
located in the chin pocket.
B. Fit the face piece to the face, pull the head harness over the head, and make
sure straps are lying flat against the head with no twists.
C. Tighten the neck or lower straps by simultaneously pulling both straps to the
rear.
D. Check the fit of the head harness by stroking the harness down the back of
the head using one or both hands. Retighten the neck straps at this time.
E. Adjust the temple straps by simultaneously pulling both straps to the rear.
F. Check for proper seal by placing a hand over the regulator opening or end of
the breathing tube. Inhale slowly; the face piece should collapse on the face. If
leaks occur, repeat steps B through E. In addition, once the regulator or
breathing tube is connected, listen for air leaks from the positive pressure mode.
If the leaks occur, repeat steps B through E.
G. Pull on protective hood to cover exposed skin and head. Place helmet on head
and gloves on hands.
H. As you approach the hazardous atmosphere, connect the hose to the
regulator. Airflow to the face piece will begin with the breathing action. Again,
listen for air leaks from the positive pressure mode. If leaks occur repeat steps B
through E.

.46

Removing/Doffing the SCBA Unit

A. Once you have exited the hazardous atmosphere, you should remove the
SCBA unit and rest. Generally to remove the unit, the donning process is
reversed. If awaiting another assignment, the face piece should be removed
to allow normal breathing and to conserve air. Do not contaminate the
regulator or face piece by laying in on the ground or other dirty environment.
This may cause injury if you need to use the unit again. Once an assignment
with SCBA is completed, you should report to rehabilitation for rest, fluids,
and monitoring of vital statistics. Firefighters should be limited to the
consumption of 2 SCBA cylinders after which mandatory rehab is required.
Rest period for fluids and monitoring of vital statistics reduces the physical
and mental stress encountered during firefighting operations.