A History of Breathing Apparatus: Journey to the Modern Day
For firefighters, it is essential to be able to breathe properly when coming into contact with smoke and flames. Breathing apparatus protects emergency workers and allows them to do their jobs properly. Read on to discover how breathing apparatus has evolved over the years.
The Smoke Helmet
Smoke helmets were introduced in the turn of the twentieth century, based on the principle of a deep-sea diver’s breathing system. Air would enter a helmet through breathing tubes, which connected to a set of bellows at each side that were operated by a second person. A neck curtain attached to the helmet was tucked into the firefighters tunic, providing a reasonably air-tight seal.
However, the equipment was very restrictive as firefighters could only go as far as the air hose allowed.
The Proto
In 1914, Siebe Gorman and Co introduced the Proto. This was a self-contained system that consisted of a cylinder of oxygen and a breathing bag absorbent, which removed the carbon dioxide. It was then mixed with a fresh supply of oxygen and reused. This kit included a separate mouthpiece, a nose clip and rubber goggles to protect the eyes.
Over the years the Proto was modified on many occasions and ended up becoming available to all.
Emergency Escape Breathing Apparatus
Commonly used in the modern day, the Emergency Escape Breathing Apparatus is built to provide a steady supply of breathing air for a limited time, enabling the wearer to exit the environment safely. As these devices offer just a limited supply of air, they are best suited for environments where there isn’t any immediate danger but where the threat of toxic gas or oxygen deficiency remains.
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
Another popular form of breathing apparatus used today, the Self-Contained BA is used to protect workers when operating in a hazardous environment where toxic gases or oxygen deficiency will be present throughout. A common choice for Fire Services, the SCBA allows the user to breathe safely throughout the duration of the operation.
A SCBA set is formed of 3 main components – a compressed air cylinder, a back-plate to hold the cylinder with a pressure regulator and a face mask. These pieces work together to provide an all-encompassing breathing device that can ensure worker safety in a hazardous environment for a set duration of time.
As a nationwide supplier of quality breathing apparatus equipment, Thameside Fire Protection provides the perfect life safety solutions to handle any hostile or hazardous environment. From underwater diving equipment to emergency escape sets, we’ll help you breathe easy with a wide selection of products available for either purchase or hire. Contact us today to find out more about our fire safety services and fire safety risk assessments.
