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Firefighter Respirator Requirements

The International Association of Fire Fighters is an organization formed to protect the health and safety of firefighters around the world. A key part of a firefighter's job involves exposure to hazardous chemicals, waste particles and gases. There are also significant releases of toxins such as carbon monoxide/dioxide, benzene, chlorine and hydrogen cyanide during fires. These substances can cause health problems with short-term effects, like hypoxia and smoke inhalation, and long-term effects such as cancer and lung disease. To cut down on firefighters experiencing health problems, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration put out a list of standardized guidelines for respiratory devices. These devices are called air purifying respirators (APRs) and are commonly supplied with fire trucks.

  1. Respirator Types

    • Air purifying respirators are split into two types: APRs that filter ambient air and APRs that supply oxygen from an outside source. APRs can be any type of device that filters air, such as dust masks, gas masks and full/half face respirators. A mouthpiece respirator is usually carried inside the fire truck in case there are people trapped inside; however these are only good for escaping a fire, not for extended use.

    Positive Pressure Respirator

    • A positive pressure respirator is a device that increases the pressure inside the APR until it is equal or greater than the exterior pressure. This device is used to determine if the mask has any leakage. It is recommended to perform the positive pressure respirator test on a monthly basis for wild-land firefighters and every six months for regular firefighters.

    Respirator Fit Test

    • In order to maintain equipment readiness, a respirator fit test is performed every six months. During the fit test the firefighter is required to wear all of the gear that could possibly interfere with proper operation of the respirator. Some fire houses require the firefighter to wear all of their gear, but this is up to the fire chief. The respirator fit test consists of a benign chemical agent pumped through the air supply, which the user has to identify based on smell or taste.

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