The SCBA is an important piece of protective
The SAR/SCBA provides breathing air for
equipment and personnel must be given proper training
compartment or void inspections from portable cylinder
on its safe operation. This training will be conducted
systems through air hoses and a facepiece (fig. 5-26).
according to the manufacturer's technical manuals,
The primary air supply pack (PASP) is a lightweight
and maintenance will be accomplished according to
assembly containing one high-pressure air cylinder and
the associated PMS and with the manufacturer's
a control panel assembly. Figure 5-27 (views A and B)
technical manual. The training will include but not be
shows the top control panel and the front control panel.
limited to the following: cleaning, inspection, and
The air cylinder contains 87 standard cubic feet (scf) of
replacement of components.
air at 4,500 pounds per square feet gauge (psig). A
reserve air supply pack (RASP) (fig. 5-28) provides two
SUPPLIED AIR RESPIRATOR WITH
additional cylinders and is connected to the control
SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING
panel assembly on the PASP. The control panel
APPARATUS
assembly allows the operator to select and shift air
The supplied air respirator (SAR) with
cylinders as necessary to ensure constant airflow to
s e l f - c o n t a i n e d b r e a t h i n g a p p a r a t u s ( S C BA ) i s
personnel inside a space or void. One air cylinder can
commonly referred to as the SAR/SCBA. It is designed
support one SCBA user for up to 55 minutes.
primarily to support gas-free testing and inspections.
Two gauges and an audible alarm monitor air
The SAR/SCBA can be used to inspect tanks and
pressures. An air regulator reduces the air pressure to
voids, including those suspected of having flammable,
60-80 psig for delivery to the air distribution system.
explosive, or toxic atmospheres. The SAR/SCBA
The manifold has four quick disconnects to allow up to
cannot be used for a fire-fighting breathing apparatus.
four SCBA users to simultaneously connect to the
Additionally, it cannot be used as a diving apparatus
PASP. A bleed valve allows a means to depressurize the
for investigating flooded or submerged spaces.
Figure 5-26. SAR/SCBA component interrelationship diagram.
5-13