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Guidelines Part 31

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Guidelines Part 31 Contents

Guidelines Part 31 - Personal protective clothing and equipment

G31.10 General requirement

Issued August 1, 1999

Section 31.10 of the OHS Regulation states "Firefighters must wear personal protective clothing and equipment appropriate to the hazards to which they may be exposed."

This section requires the employer to decide what personal protective clothing and equipment is required. Sections 31.13 to 31.18 contain requirements for particular types of clothing and equipment.

Volunteer fire departments
The Board cannot determine in all instances what hazards volunteer firefighters are likely to encounter. The employer in consultation with the chief of the department is in the best position to determine this.

The chief of a volunteer fire department may use the following guidelines:

1. make an assessment of the hazards the volunteer firefighters are likely to encounter in their operational area,

2. make a decision as to minimum clothing and equipment required to protect the volunteer firefighters in the various situations, and

3. develop operating policies and procedures, which limit firefighting activities to those for which appropriate protective equipment is available.

G31.15 Stationwear and personal garments

Issued August 1, 1999; Editorial Revision August 2004

Section 31.15 of the OHS Regulation states "Firefighters required to approach the seat of a fire or enter a structure or other hazardous area during an emergency incident must not wear shirts, trousers, jackets or coveralls that have poor thermal stability or that ignite easily."

The purpose of this section is to specify that station wear or other garments worn under protective coats and pants do not create a hazard to a firefighter due to poor thermal stability or ignition of the garment. A garment that can withstand 204 degrees C (400 degrees F) for 5 minutes without melting, dripping or igniting will satisfy this requirement.

In thermal stability tests performed by the WCB laboratory, the following clothing samples tested did not melt, drip or ignite when exposed to a temperature of 204 degrees C for 5 minutes:

100% cotton shirting and pant fabric
90% cotton, 10% polyester shirting fabric
50% cotton, 50% polyester T-shirt fabric
35% cotton, 65% polyester shirting and pants fabric.

The following fabric failed this requirement:

100% nylon fabric

Guidelines Part 31 - Respiratory protection

G31.23 Entry into buildings

Issued April 27, 2000

Section 31.23 of the OHS Regulation states:

"(1) When self-contained breathing apparatus must be used to enter a building, or similar enclosed location, the entry must be made by a team of at least 2 firefighters.
(2) Effective voice communication must be maintained between firefighters inside and outside the enclosed location.
(3) During the initial attack of an incident at least one firefighter must remain outside.
(4) A suitably equipped rescue team of at least 2 firefighters must be established on the scene before sending in a second entry team and not more than 10 minutes after the initial attack.
(5)The rescue team required by subsection (4) must not engage in any duties that limit their ability to make a prompt response to rescue an endangered firefighter while interior structural firefighting is being conducted."

This guideline discusses the application of section 31.23, with consideration of the requirements of section 8.35 of the Regulation, which must also be met during firefighting operations.

Section 31.19 states "Firefighters who may be exposed to an oxygen deficient atmosphere or to harmful concentrations of air contaminants must wear a self-contained breathing apparatus of a positive pressure type having a rated minimum duration of 30 minutes". A firefighter entering a part of a building or similar enclosed location that is burning or smoke-filled is considered to be exposed to such an atmosphere. The atmosphere is potentially immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) or oxygen deficient. Section 31.23(1) requires such an entry by firefighters to be made by a team of at least 2 firefighters. Section 8.35 requires that whenever a worker enters or works in an IDLH or oxygen deficient atmosphere, the worker must be attended by at least one other worker stationed at or near the entrance who is similarly equipped and capable of effecting rescue.

Section 31.23(4) allows firefighters at the scene to start their initial attack of a fire or a rescue operation involving entry if additional firefighters are expected to be on scene and able to provide a suitably equipped rescue team within 10 minutes of the start of the initial attack. To establish there are additional firefighters likely to be on the scene within 10 minutes means there needs to be effective communication between the crew at the scene, the incident commander and other firefighters being dispatched to the incident. This may be achieved either by direct communication between the firefighters or by coordination through a central dispatch. However, during this 10 minute "window", a third firefighter must be dressed, equipped and available to be the rescue worker required by section 8.35. Generally standard operating procedures for firefighter entry into a burning building or similar enclosed area stipulate the entry team take with them a hose which is charged and capable of spraying water should the need arise. This means a firefighter or other qualified worker must remain at the fire engine pump controls and act to ensure the water supply is available to the firefighters making the entry. This pump operator cannot be the rescue worker required by section 8.35 as the pump operator cannot leave the pump to perform rescue duties. Hence the minimum number of crew required on scene prior to commencing entry into a hazardous area for the initial attack of a fire or to search for occupants would be four if a charged hose is to be taken in by the entry team. Note other equipment operators, such as the operator of an aerial platform, who are required to remain at an equipment operating position, would be in the same position as the pump operator and cannot be designated to perform rescue duties.

There may be incidents requiring firefighters to use SCBA to enter a building or similar enclosed location even though there is no fire and no smoke. For example, a refrigeration plant leaking ammonia may require an emergency response by firefighters to rescue a person or to shut off or control the leak. (Note section 31.5(2) requires the fire department have written procedures for such situations if they will do such responses.) In such circumstances the entry team would not likely need to take a charged hose in, so minimum crew size would be 3, for the first 10 minutes. All 3 firefighters would need to have donned the required protective clothing and breathing apparatus. Two would be the entry team, and the third firefighter would be the rescue worker required by section 8.35. The crew would have to establish prior to their initial entry that, within 10 minutes of the initial entry, a fourth firefighter with the required protective clothing and breathing apparatus is expected to be on scene and ready to join the rescue firefighter to establish the rescue team required by section 31.23(4).

If, during the first 10 minutes of the initial attack, circumstances change so there will be a delay beyond the 10 minute "window" in arrival of the additional crew needed to establish the 2 firefighter rescue team, the initial attack must be terminated until the rescue team can be established.

G31.26 Maintenance and records of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)

Issued May 17, 2006

Regulatory excerpt
Section 31.26 (Maintenance and records) of the OHS Regulation states:

(1) Self-contained breathing apparatus, including regulators, must be serviced and repaired by qualified persons.

(2) Inspection of compressed air cylinders must be done in accordance with CSA Standard CAN/CSA-Z94.4-02, Selection, Use, and Care of Respirators.

(3) Compressed air cylinders must be hydrostatically tested in accordance with CSA Standard CAN/CSA-B339-96, Cylinders, Spheres, and Tubes for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods.

(4) Complete maintenance and repair records for each self-contained breathing apparatus and all air cylinders must be kept in accordance with the requirements of CSA Standard CAN/CSA-Z94.4-02, Selection, Use, and Care of Respirators (section 10.3.3.2.2-b to f, inclusive).

Purpose of guideline
This guideline provides information on the application of section 31.26(1)-(3) on the servicing and repair of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), inspections, hydrostatic testing, and maintenance and repair.

An SCBA offers one of the highest levels of respiratory protection available and is designed for the rigours of firefighting and other emergency situations. As a consequence an SCBA requires a high level of quality control.

Section 31.26(1) - Servicing and repair
This provision requires that SCBAs, including regulators and all other components as listed above, must be serviced and repaired by a qualified person. "Qualified," as defined by section 1.1 of the OHS Regulation, means being knowledgeable of the work, the hazards involved, and the means to control the hazards, by reason of education, training, experience, or a combination thereof. For the purposes of subsection (1), qualified SCBA maintenance personnel will

Be qualified through training and experience to inspect, maintain and repair respirators in accordance with the manufacturer's written instructions
Inspect, maintain and repair SCBAs as required
Ensure that maintenance tools are kept in good repair and properly calibrated, and
Maintain appropriate records of maintenance and repair in accordance with section 31.26(4) of the OHS Regulation.

Section 31.26(2) - Inspection
This provision requires that compressed air cylinders must be inspected in accordance with CSA Standard CAN/CSA Z94.4-02, Selection, Use, and Care of Respirators (the Standard). Clause 10.3.3 of the standard covers inspection of cylinders, including steel, aluminium, and composite SCBA cylinders. Inspections require an examination of both the exterior and interior of cylinders. The purpose of the internal inspection is to look for the presence of corrosion, moisture, oil, or other deposits. Internal inspections are to be carried out on an annual basis as prescribed by clause 10.3.3.1.1.

External inspections are conducted on a more frequent basis. Clause 10.3.3.1.7 of the Standard requires that an SCBA be inspected on a "schedule to ensure readiness for the anticipated emergency use." For the purposes of this clause, WorkSafeBC accepts the following inspection schedule:

Municipal, city, or industrial fire departments (see definition in section 31.1)

SCBAs are to be externally inspected at the beginning of each shift

Volunteer fire departments

SCBAs are to be externally inspected at least weekly

The purposes of the inspection include

Ensuring cylinders are filled to the rated capacity
Ensuring hose connectors, hoses, cylinders, facepieces, head straps, regulators, harness components, warning devices, and gauges are free of defects, corrosion, or deterioration

All SCBAs are to be examined in accordance with the manufacturer's inspection and testing procedures. Except where impracticable, such as during emergency or other tactical operations, SCBAs are to be examined after each use in accordance with the manufacturer's recommended inspection procedure. In either case, defective equipment is to be tagged "out of service" until repaired and tested.

Refer to CSA Standard CAN/CSA-Z94.4-02, clause 10.3.3.1 for further information.

Section 31.26(3) - Hydrostatic testing
Under this requirement compressed air cylinders must be hydrostatically tested in accordance with CSA Standard CAN/CSA-B339-96, Cylinders, Spheres, and Tubes for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods. SCBA cylinders manufactured since 1996 are built to specifications prescribed in the 1996 edition of the CSA standard. In accordance with section 4.4(1) of the OHS Regulation, cylinders manufactured prior to 1996 need only conform to the edition of the standard published at the time the cylinder was manufactured.

CSA Standard CAN/CSA-B339-96 does not specify the frequency for testing. Clause 24.2.2.1 states cylinders used in a self-contained respirator (i.e., an SCBA) are required to be retested as specified by CSA Standard CAN/CSA-Z94.4. The CSA Standard CAN/CSA-Z94.4-02 specifically recommends the following frequency for hydrostatic testing:

Every five years for aluminium and steel SCBA cylinders
Every three years for all other SCBA cylinders (e.g. carbon, fiberglass, Kevlar-wrapped, and hoop-wound cylinders)

Refer to clause 10.6.2 of CSA Standard CAN/CSA-Z94.4-02 for further information. Note that clause 10.6.2.4 of this standard states that a cylinder that has failed hydrostatic testing shall be returned to the owner who shall ensure that the cylinder is taken out of service and rendered unserviceable.

Guidelines Part 31 - Transportation

G31.32 Vehicle exhaust in firehalls

Issued August 1, 1999; Revised November 17, 2003; Editorial Revision October 2004

Section 31.32 of the OHS Regulation states "Unless air monitoring shows that levels of vehicle exhaust gas components are below the exposure limits established under section 5.48, effective local venting for the exhaust gases must be provided in vehicle areas in firehalls".

The following are guidelines on how air monitoring is to be conducted to determine whether local exhaust venting is required:

the air monitoring should be done in places such as the living quarters, service bays and other locations where firefighters are normally present during on-duty hours,
the fire hall should be set up based on normal incident response with the maximum number of fire apparatus responding,
the overhead door(s) should be open or closed for the duration in accordance with written work procedures for the firehall,
where two or more firehalls in a fire department require the installation of a local exhaust system, the implementation may be phased in over a longer period. A reasonable compliance period would be 2 years from April 15, 1998, where 2 or 3 firehalls must be upgraded, or 3 years where 4 or more firehalls require upgrading.

Contact your local office of the WCB for information on sampling of diesel- or gasoline-based automotive exhaust.

Guidelines Part 31 - Aerial devices and ground ladders

G31.34 Non-destructive testing

Issued August 1, 1999

Section 31.34(1) of the OHS Regulation states "A fire department aerial device must be inspected and tested in accordance with good engineering practice at intervals not exceeding 12 months, and certified as safe for use by a professional engineer or the equipment manufacturer."

The meaning of "good engineering practice" is discussed in OHS Guideline G1.1.

G31.37 Ground ladders

Issued August 1, 1999; Editorial Revision April 2005

Section 31.37 of the OHS Regulation states:

(1) A ground ladder used by firefighters must meet the requirements of NFPA 1931, Design of and Design Verification Tests for Fire Department Ground Ladders, 1989 Edition.

(2) A ground ladder must be used, tested and maintained in accordance with the requirements of NFPA 1932, Use, Maintenance, and Service Testing of Fire Department Ground Ladders, 1989 Edition.

Also, section 4.4(2)(a) permits the reliance on other standards which are acceptable to the Board.

There are some ground ladders in service that were manufactured prior to 1984 and would not meet the tests of the 1989 standard specified by section 31.37(2). Ladders in this category will be accepted if they meet the inspection and testing requirements of NFPA 1931-1979, Fire Department Ground Ladders.

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Disclaimer: The Worker and Employer Services Division issues Guidelines to help with the application and interpretation of sections of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation and with divisions of the Workers Compensation Act that relate to health and safety. Guidelines are not intended to provide exclusive interpretations but to assist with compliance. WorkSafeBC ("Workers' Compensation Board of B.C.") does not warrant the accuracy or the completeness of the online version of the Guidelines and neither WorkSafeBC nor its board of directors, employees or agents shall be liable to any persons for any loss or damage of any nature, whether arising out of negligence or otherwise, which may be occasioned as a result of the use of the online version of the Guidelines.