This refers to “Is Your Department Complying with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1404 Air Management Policy?” (Steve Bernocco, Mike Gagliano, Casey Phillips, and Phil Jose, February 2008). I was amazed to learn that you must leave the immediately dangerous to life and heath area BEFORE your low-air alarm sounds and that once it does sound, you should treat it as serious as a Mayday. I am an instructor and a lieutenant. My chief and I were concerned, so I checked into it.
I could not find that this is “law” in the NFPA standards. I did find the information in the appendix, where it says you should do these things. I called the NFPA and asked the technical people if these actions are now mandated. I was told it is not true. The information referenced in the article is found in the NFPA 1404, Standard for Fire Service Respiratory Training, appendix, which is where you can get information on different suggestions, not policy. Therefore, as long as your department has a written procedure on air management (or what to do when low on air), you are in compliance with the code.
Jaimie MillerLieutenantRollinsford (NH) Fire Department
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