• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.315-325
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• 2022

Background: Firefighters are required to carry self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), which increases the risk of musculoskeletal disorders. This study assessed the newly recruited firefighters' internal forces and potential musculoskeletal disorders when carrying SCBA. The effects of SCBA strap lengths were also evaluated. Methods: Kinematic parameters of twelve male subjects running in a control condition with no SCBA equipped and three varying-strapped SCBAs were measured using 3D inertial motion capture. Subsequently, motion data and predicted ground reaction force were inputted for subject-specific musculoskeletal modeling to estimate joint and muscle forces. Results: The knee was exposed to the highest internal force when carrying SCBA, followed by the rectus femoris and hip, while the shoulder had the lowest force compared to the no-SCBA condition. Our model also revealed that adjusting SCBA straps length was an efficient strategy to influence the force that occurred at the lumbar spine, hip, and knee regions. Grey relation analysis indicated that the deviation of the center of mass, step length, and knee flexion-extension angle could be used as the predictor of musculoskeletal disorders. Conclusion: The finding suggested that the training of the newly recruits focuses on the coordinated movement of muscle and joints in the lower limb. The strap lengths around 98-105 cm were also recommended. The findings are expected to provide injury interventions to enhance the occupational health and safety of the newly recruited firefighters.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.537-547
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• 2017

This study evaluates the wearing performance of a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) belt for firefighters in Korea. A SCBA belt design was suggested based on the wearing evaluation of a SCBA belt; subsequently, prototypes I and II were created. A wearing evaluation of prototypes with improved design and design preference was performed. Six designs elements of the SCBA belt for firefighters were suggested based on the survey results of wearing the SCBA belt and for the SCBA belt design preference for use by firefighters. First, belt material should be made of black high-strength aramid textiles. In addition, Velcro should be used to attach and detach retroreflective and fluorescent materials along with various colors for visibility. Second, the chest belt should be made of the same material used for other parts; in addition, the chest belt should be moved to the center for center of gravity and a cobra buckle should be applied. Third, an O-ring should be applied to the back and the belt connected to the O-ring should distribute the weight in six axes. Fourth, a detachable air respirator should be able to separate by using upper and lower cobra buckles. Fifth, a separable leg belt and a detachable pocket are also suggested. Sixth, a ring for walkie-talkies, alarms and equipment as a fabric ring are also suggested. Prototype III with an improved design was created based on the results of the design suggestion.

• Advances in environmental research
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.255-264
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• 2017

This work investigated the use of sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA) generated by an energy cogeneration process in sugarcane mill as an alternative raw material in soil-cement brick. The SCBA obtained from a sugarcane mill located in southeastern Brazil was characterized with respect to its chemical composition, organic matter content, X-ray diffraction, plasticity, and pozzolonic activity. Soil-cement bricks were prepared by pressing and curing. Later, they were tested to determine technical properties (e.g., volumetric shrinkage, apparent density, water absorption, and compressive strength), present crystalline phases, and microstructural evolution. It was found that the SCBA contains appreciable amounts of silica ($SiO_2$) and organic matter. The results showed that the SCBA could be used in soil-cement bricks, in the range up to 30 wt.%, as a partial replacement for Portland cement. These results suggest that the SCBA could be valorized for manufacturing low-cost soil-cement bricks.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.468-472
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• 2018

Background: Firefighters are required to use self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), which impairs ventilatory mechanics. We hypothesized that firefighters have elevated arterial $CO_2$ when using SCBA. Methods: Firefighters and controls performed a maximal exercise test on a cycle ergometer and two graded exercise tests (GXTs) at 25%, 50%, and 70% of their maximal aerobic power, once with a SCBA facemask and once with protective clothing and full SCBA. Results: Respiratory rate increased more in controls than firefighters. Heart rate increased as a function of oxygen consumption ($V_{O_2}$) more in controls than firefighters. End-tidal $CO_2$ ($ETCO_2$) during the GXTs was not affected by work rate in either group for either condition but was higher in firefighters at all work rates in both GXTs. SCBA increased $ETCO_2$ in controls but not firefighters. Conclusions: The present study showed that when compared to controls, firefighters' hypoventilate during a maximal test and GXT. The hypoventilation resulted in increased $ETCO_2$, and presumably increased arterial $CO_2$, during exertion. It is proposed that firefighters have altered $CO_2$ sensitivity due to voluntary hypoventilation during training and work. Confirmation of low $CO_2$ sensitivity and the consequence of this on performance and long-term health remain to be determined.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.8-12
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• 2012

The aim of study intends to investigate physical response of human body wearing Self Contained Breathing Apparatus and to provide the base data for the safety of firefighter. The results of the study are as follows. when wearing SCBA, the mean skin temperature (7 %), heart rate (28 %), rate of perceived exertion (65.4 %), metabolic equivalents (70.7 %) were significantly higher (p<.05), respiratory rate was not statistically significant. It is concluded that wearing SCBA causes significant stress to the physical systems.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.120-130
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• 2007

A oxygen generating closed-circuit SCBA for escape from fire will be newly developed and then a program for estimating service time for it should be required. A SCBA made on an experimental basis consisted of five components such as half facepiece (mask), $KO_2$ box, oxygen reservoir, $CO_2$ remover and hood. The half mask had a good fitting performance since fit factors for 10 subjects were all above 100. It was found that height of subjects should be the best variable to estimate service time. Measured service time was inversely correlated with height of subjects. Service life time could be estimated by interpolation and extrapolation using inverse relationship between height and measured service time, for example, 28 minutes for male and female of 170 cm during resting, 10 minutes at the walk of 4 km/h and 5 minutes at the walk of 6 km/h considering safety margin of 20%. The study implies that program for estimating service time for the SCBA should require subject's height, speed of walk (4 km/h and 6 km/h) and fit testing. Considering safety margin, selecting younger subjects would be better. The study on the number of subjects and selecting facial dimensions should be more needed for the final program.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.165-172
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• 2019

This study presents the design and manufacture of a self-contained breathing apparatus SCBA wireless communication module with a multipoint simultaneous full-duplex communication system to enable communication between team members wearing the SCBA system. It is necessary for fire-fighters to wear the SCBA system during extinguishing and rescue work at the fire site. Evaluation of the team communication module confirmed the feasibility of communication over more than 500 m in the test condition based on the line of sight. By implementing the Ad-hoc function, it was confirmed that the communication distance could be extended to 128 m by automatic routing up to 3 hoc. The vertical distance inside the building for successful communication was up to the 5th floor in the open staircase and up to the 3rd floor in the partitioned staircase. Furthermore, the performance testing of the communication module assuming a fire situation, confirmed that five team members correctly recognized the standard abbreviation of fire and wireless communication without a separate PTT key operation. In addition, the flame resistance was verified by exposing the module to a flame at 950 ± 50 ℃ for 5 s and then immediately extinguishing the flame.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.236-240
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• 2010

This study demonstrates the use of a chemical containing potassium superoxide (KO2) to convert carbon dioxide (CO$_2$) in air to oxygen (O$_2$). A oxygen generating closed-circuit SCBA (self contained breathing apparatus) removes carbon dioxide by a chemical reaction with potassium dioxide that consumes the carbon dioxide and produces oxygen. Considering the disasters, there is a need to develop strategies to enable the introduction of self-contained self rescuers (SCSR). The potassium superoxide reacts with the wears breath to produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide. If the respiration rate of a person is 5 MET (metabolic equivalent), to say 30 L/min, at disaster such as fire, mass of potassium superoxide was evaluated as 33.3 g with yield and safety factor. Four researchers tested on a laboratory treadmill breathing through SCSRs in a closed circuit, it appears useable for 9 minutes.

• Advances in materials Research
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.203-218
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• 2020

This research paper presents the outcomes in terms of mechanical and microstructural characteristics of binary and ternary concrete when exposed to elevated temperature. Three parameter were taken into account, (a) elevated temperature (i.e., 200, 400, 600 and 800℃) (b) binary concrete with cementitious material sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) replacement percentage (i.e., 0, 15, 20, 25 and 30%) and (c) ternary concrete with cementitious material SCBA and GGBFS replacement percentage (i.e., 0, 15, 20, 25 and 30%). A total of 285 standard cube specimens (150 mm × 150 mm × 150 mm) containing Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), SCBA, and GGBFS were made. These specimens then exposed to several elevated temperatures for 2 h, afterword is allowed to cool at room temperature. The following basic physical, mechanical, and microstructural characteristics were then determined and discussed. (a) mass loss ratio, (b) ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) (c) physical behavior, (d) compressive strength, and (e) field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). It was found that compressive strength increases up to 400℃; beyond this temperature, it decreases. UPV value and massloss decrease with increase in temperature as well as the change in color and crack were observed at a higher temperature.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.45-51
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• 2010

The objective of this study to analyse the cause and pattern of failing to use in Self Contained Breathing Apparatus using by government regulation for producer and client. Regulation for producer is related to legal and institution of safety inspectiontest of SCBA. Rregulation for client is preventive maintenance. Improving fail in use of SCBA are following. First, expansion of ad hoc collection inspection and safety checking is required. Second, the strict application of the law for monitoring and auditing disposal procedure in low performance SCBA is required.