Confined Space Rescue Operations Level

1
(No Transcript)
2
Contents

• Standard Operating Guideline
• Equipment Review
• Practical Application

3
Confined Space Standard Operating Guideline

• A confined space shall be defined as a space that
  is large enough and configured so that an
  employee can enter it, has limited means of
  access and egress and is not designed for
  continuous occupancy.
• A permit required confined space meets all of the
  same requirements of a confined space plus one or
  more of the following contains or has a
  potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere,
  contains a material that has the potential for
  engulfing an entrant, has an internal
  configuration such that an entrant could be
  trapped by inwardly converging walls or by a
  floor which slopes downward and tapers to a
  smaller cross section and/or contains any other
  recognized serious health hazards 
• Any incident requiring rescue or removal of a
  victim from a confined space shall require the
  response of the Technical Rescue Team. 
• No personnel shall enter a confined space without
  certified training and equipment to do so. 
• Operations level personnel shall not enter a
  confined space, unless all of the provisions of
  guideline item 6 have been met.

4
Confined Space Standard Operating Guideline

• In general Operations level personnel shall be
  trained in recognizing a confined space,
  identifying hazards associated with a confined
  space and appropriate corrective measures to be
  taken to minimize the hazards of a confined space
  incident. 
• Operations level personnel shall employ the
  following guidelines when faced with a confined
  space rescue incident
• Request a technical rescue response from
  dispatch.
• Initiate the Incident management System (IMS)-
  including the establishment of a staging area for
  incoming units and personnel, as well as the
  implementation of the passport accountability
  system.
• Isolate the scene and deny entry to prevent
  further danger to victim(s), personnel and
  bystanders.

5
Confined Space Standard Operating Guideline

• Gather information
• Rescue vs- Recovery
• Cause of incident
• What function was the victim(s) performing in the
  confined space
• Nature of injury or problem
• Structural
• Mechanical
• Atmospheric
• Personal
• Number of victims
• Specific victim information
• Location of victim(s)
• Location of alternative entry/access points
• Permit required or non-permit required space
• Identity of attendant or reporting party

6
Confined Space Standard Operating Guideline

• Advise dispatch and incoming units of updated,
  detailed information.
• Attempt to obtain
• Blueprints of facility
• Drawing or cross sections of actual confined
  space in question
• Copy of victims entry permit
• Begin filling out the Fire Department Confined
  Space Entry Permit.
• Identify any possible or potential hazards and
  take the appropriate steps to minimize or remove
  them.
• Lock-out Tag-out procedures for utilities and
  machinery
• Structural collapse or instability issues
• Atmospheric conditions

7
Confined Space Standard Operating Guideline

• Assist the Technical Rescue Team as directed,
  staying within the scope of Operations Level
  training. Tasks to include
• Serve as a haul team member
• Operate safety lines
• Set-up and operate ventilation and other rescue
  equipment
• Monitor and run the air supply and communication
  systems
• Air monitoring

8
Confined Space Standard Operating Guideline

• Operations level personnel may attempt to perform
  a rescue if ALL of the following criteria are
  met
• It is a rescue, not a body recovery
• The victim is visible
• Victim is within 25 of the entry point, straight
  access
• Entry is a horizontal access
• SCBA is utilized and is able to remain on the
  firefighters back at all times
• Appropriate level of turnout gear is worn. (i.e
  hood, gloves, pants, coat, helmet, boots, etc.)
• A tagline is attached to the rescuer
• All hazards have been addressed

1. Keep all unnecessary communications to a minimum
   during rescue operations.

9
(No Transcript)
10
Ventilation Equipment

• The purpose of ventilation in a confined space
  is to replace the oxygen-deficient, flammable, or
  toxic environment with clean air, and ultimately
  to eliminate the atmospheric hazards.
• CONINED SPACE RESCUE, Sargent,Chase. 2000, Fire
  Engineering Books Videos

11
Ventilation Equipment

• The primary piece of ventilation equipment is the
  electric powered, positive pressure blower with
  ducting
• The electric blower should be placed as close to
  the entry point, of the confined space, as
  possible. Make note of the wind direction and
  ensure that fresh air is being introduced to the
  space.

12
Ventilation Equipment

• The yellow ducting is attached directly to the
  blower with adjustable buckles on either end, and
  placed into the hazard area to effect clean air
  exchanges. (See chart attached to the top of
  blower for specific details)
• Please note that the aluminum stove pipe will
  be needed to attach two pieces of ducting
  together.

13
Ventilation Equipment

• Additional adaptors for use with the positive
  pressure blower include
• The 90 elbow, used for placing the ducting
  around corners or for use in placing the ducting
  down a vertical shaft while minimizing bends that
  would restrict air flow.
• The saddle adaptor is generally used when
  placing ducting into a narrow entry area. This
  allows for the placement of ducting while
  maximizing space for the rescuer to enter

14
Supplied Air Breathing Apparatus SABA

• The supplied air breathing apparatus, in contrast
  to our SCBA, supplies the rescuer with a near
  endless supply of air in which to enter the
  confined space and perform work. This is
  accomplished through the use of a manifold system
  and the use of standard SCBA bottles.
• This system is used in conjunction with an escape
  bottle for the rescuer

15
Supplied Air Breathing Apparatus SABA

• The manifolds are typically stored in a hard
  plastic Pelican case. Check with your TRT
  member for location and familiarity
• Upon opening the case you will find two complete,
  and separate manifolds for use. One will be used
  for the entry team, to include the line for the
  victim/patient. The other is for the stand-by/
  back-up team.

16
Supplied Air Breathing Apparatus SABA

• Begin set-up by identifying the manifold to be
  used by the entry team. Either can be used for
  this purpose.
• Retrieve two bottles, plus as many spares as
  possible, and attach the two bottles to the hose
  fittings located on the manifold. Do not begin
  operations until a cache of spare bottles have
  been secured.
• Once the bottles have been attached you may turn
  on one of the bottles to charge the system.
• Please note that the manifold system operates
  from only one bottle at a time. Do not operate
  with both bottles on at the same time.

17
Supplied Air Breathing Apparatus SABA

• Internal to the manifold system is a check valve.
  This allows for the highest air pressure to
  provide the air to the system.
• By charging the system with one bottle the valve
  allows air to enter from this side. Once this
  bottle is low we may charge the second bottle,
  thus overriding the valve and allowing the second
  bottle to provide the air for the system.
• Once we are operating off of bottle 2 we may
  bleed off and disconnect bottle 1 then replace
  with a fresh bottle
• Repeat the above steps to ensure that there is
  always a fresh bottle to charge the system when
  the one you are operating from has been depleted.

18
Supplied Air Breathing Apparatus SABA

• Once the system has been charged we may attach
  the air line portion of the umbilicus.
• To do this- find the male end of the air line,
  from the umbilicus or the patient line, and
  insert it into one of the female ports on the
  manifold.
• Please note that Locking Foster fittings are
  utilized on the manifold
• To connect to the locking Foster fitting align
  the notch in the female fitting with the
  raised point on its post and press down on the
  female fitting. Insert the male end and
  release. Now turn the female fitting so it is
  no longer aligned and duct tape the connection
  for safety

19
Supplied Air Breathing Apparatus SABA

• Once the manifold has been charged and lines
  attached for the rescuers and patient you may
  begin to set up the back-up team manifold in the
  same manner as you had for the entry team.
• Please note that an additional rescuer line
  would be required in order to be fully prepared
  for entry, thus allowing for a two person team to
  make their entry.

Rescuer Umbilicus
Patient Line
20
Supplied Air Breathing Apparatus SABA

• Some key points regarding the SABA manifold
  system
• Maximum length of airline allowed for a user on
  the system is 300
• Operations are performed using only one SCBA
  bottle at a time
• Please keep the dust caps in place on all air
  line and communication cable fittings when not
  being used
• Two manifolds will be in use on every entry. One
  for the entry team and one for the back-up team.

21
SABA Escape Bottle

• Used in conjunction with the supplied air
  breathing apparatus manifold is the emergency
  escape bottle. This bottle is a self contained 10
  minute escape bottle for use in emergency
  situations only.
• The bottle is worn by the rescuer via its
  attachment to a waist belt. On this waist belt
  you will find the attachment point for the SABA
  air line (1) and the mask mounted regulator for
  our SCBA masks (2).

1
2
22
SABA Escape Bottle

• Please note that the escape bottle is not
  supplied by the SABA manifold. It is imperative
  that this escape bottle remain off until needed
  in an emergency, i.e. a malfunction with the SABA
  manifold.
• If at any time the rescuer notes that his/her
  escape bottle has been turned on they must
  immediately leave the confined space and return
  to the outside for a bottle change.

23
SABA LinesUmbilicus

• Umbilicus lines can be found in large, black
  bags or plastic bins. Contact your TRT member for
  location and familiarity.
• Each bag or bin is color coded to match the color
  of the umbilicus and the color code of the SABA
  escape bottles as well

24
SABA LinesUmbilicus

• In each of the color coded bags/bins there is a
  150 red, yellow, blue or green, umbilicus.
• The umbilicus is simply a sheath that contains
  the air line, hardwire communication line and the
  tag-line for the rescuer.

25
SABA LinesUmbilicus

• The umbilicus is stored coiled, using an
  over/under method of coiling to help ensure kink
  free deployment.
• A close-up detail of the rescuer end of the
  umbilicus
• Black line is the air line
• Orange line is the hardwire communication line
• Carabiner and tag-line is attached to the dorsal
  connection of the Class III harness

26
SABA LinesUmbilicus

• Some key points regarding the umbilicus
• Each bag contains two separate sections. One 50
  section and one 100 section. They are coupled
  together to make a single 150 umbilicus.
• Coiled in an over and under method to keep the
  kinks out of the line when deploying
• Neatness and organization is the key to
  successful deployment of the umbilicus.
• Connections utilize Locking Foster fittings

27
SABA LinesPatient/Victim Line

• The patient line is located in the same
  compartment as the umbilicus bags/bins

28
SABA LinesPatient/Victim Line

• Inside the bag you will find two separate
  sections of air line. One 50 section and one
  100 section. They are coupled to make a 150
  line. This line is not in an umbilicus.
• You will also find an SCBA mask, with regulator,
  attached to a short section of air line.

29
SABA LinesPatient/Victim Line

• Connections of the patient air line utilize the
  Locking Foster fittings.

30
Communication System

• The Con-Space communication system is a hard wire
  system that allows for constant monitoring of
  communications with the entry team in a confined
  space incident.
• The equipment for this system is stored in a
  Pelican type briefcase. Contact you TRT member
  for location and familiarity.
• Components include
• 4 throat microphones with ear pieces
• 2 headsets
• 1 control box
• 1 splitter
• 2 hard wire lines for headsets
• Lock-out devices

31
Communication System

• Setting up the communication system for use will
  require multiple connections to be made to the
  control box (1). All connections in this system
  are made by aligning the raised point of the
  female (2) fitting with the accompanying orange
  dot on the male (3) fitting. Once connected
  turn the female fitting to the Right to lock-in.

1
3
2
32
Communication System

• The headset for the Entry Officer is recognizable
  by the fact that in both of its ear portions it
  contains padding and speakers. This enables the
  Entry Officer to direct all of his/her attention
  to the team in the confined space.
• The hard wire line is also recognizable as it
  does not contain a lock-out device,
  pre-attached, on it. This allows the controller
  to be in constant contact with the entry team.
• The connection for the hardwire is made on the
  rear of the control box under the label
  controller and the opposite end attached to the
  headset worn by the controller

33
Communication System

• The air managers headset differs from the entry
  officers headset in that it contains padding and
  a speaker in only one side of the head set. This
  allows the air manager to monitor the entry team
  and entry officer as well as hear the audible low
  air warning device on the SABA manifold system.
  This is important as the communications system
  and SABA system will generally be set-up in close
  proximity to one another, and both systems
  operated by one individual.

34
Communication System

• The air managers hardwire line is shorter than
  the entry officers line and also contains a
  lock-out device (1) that enables the air
  managers microphone to be disabled when
  necessary. While the microphone is disabled
  he/she will still be able to hear all of the
  communications between the controller and the
  entry team.
• The connection point for the air managers line
  is located on the top of the control box, under
  the label air mgr.

1
35
Communication System

• The entry and back-up teams will operate from a
  splitter device. Located on the rear of the
  control box, adjacent to the connection point for
  the controller, you will find labels indicating
  Team 1 and Team 2. Into these connection
  points you will attach the splitter device that
  enables a total of 4 hardwire connections into
  it. Two are for the entry team and two are for
  the back-up team. All connections are made
  precisely as described in previous slides

36
Communication System

• Here we see the communication system set up for
  the entry team. Note that the splitter device is
  secured into the ports on the rear of the control
  box and there are two lines, one for each member
  of the entry team, connected in to the splitter.
  The remaining ports on the splitter would then be
  connected to the lines of the back-up personnel.
• The switch in the middle of the splitter device
  enables the air/communications manager to turn
  communications on or off for each team. The
  switch allows for both the entry and back-up
  teams to always be heard but allows for one or
  the others voice to be turned off, so as not to
  interfere with the overall operation.

37
Communication System

• The ear piece and throat microphone enable the
  rescuer to transmit and receive information in a
  hands-free manner.
• Running from the control box, or splitter, to the
  rescuer is the communication hardwire line-
  contained in the umbilicus. This is then
  connected to the ear piece and throat microphone
  using the same type of connection described for
  the control box.
• The ear piece fits over the ear allowing the
  speaker to rest over the ear opening, and the
  microphone is placed on the throat and tested for
  clarity

38
Dressing the Confined Space Rescue Technician

• In most instances the Rescue Technician will be
  able to don their confined space gear without
  assistance from others. However, there may be
  some need for help with SABA and communications
  line connections.

39
Dressing the Confined Space Rescue Technician

• The first piece of equipment required is a full
  jumpsuit. Ours are made of Nomex material to
  protect against flash situations.
• The second item will always be a standard Class
  III harness

40
Dressing the Confined Space Rescue Technician

• Once the Class III harness has been donned the
  emergency escape bottle is donned and the waist
  belt secured.
• The SABA air line, from the umbilicus, can then
  be attached to the port of the first stage
  regulator on the escape bottles waist belt.

41
Dressing the Confined Space Rescue Technician

• Next, the carabiner and tag line may be attached
  to the dorsal connection point on the rescuers
  Class III harness.
• The communications line can then be routed up
  over the right shoulder, secured with the
  attached clip to the right shoulder D-ring to
  provide strain relief, and the fitting draped
  over the shoulder for later connection to the ear
  piece and microphone.

42
Dressing the Confined Space Rescue Technician

• Once the ear piece and the microphone have been
  properly donned the connection to the
  communications line can be made. Please note that
  the wires for the ear piece and the microphone
  have small clips that may be used to secure them
  to the rescuers jumpsuit as strain relief.

43
Dressing the Confined Space Rescue Technician

• Final preparations would include a helmet, SCBA
  mask and gloves.
• Once the rescuer has completely and correctly
  donned all gear he/she must pass a safety
  inspection, including a check of the
  communications system and its operation, insuring
  that the air line is supplying air to the rescuer
  and that their escape bottle is turned off. As
  well as inspection of all connection points and
  safety systems.

44
Practical Application

• Please arrange a time with your shifts TRT crew
  to review the preceding equipment, its location
  along with proper operation and set-up.
• Also review the protocols as they relate to
  confined space rescue.

45
This presentation was shared by Snohomish County
Fire District 1.