Airline/SY Escape Considerations

Supplied air breathable gas airline/SY RPD with emergency breathing device (EBD) for escape maybe mandated in a number of specific scenarios as below, which are commonly associated with confined spaces:

  • Oxygen deficient environments
  • Immediately Dangerous to Life & Health (IDLH)
  • Unknown contaminants

Does the potential exist for a oxygen deficient environment? Does the potential for IDLH conditions exist?  Are all the contaminants known?

An IDLH atmosphere is one that poses an immediate threat to life, would cause irreversible adverse health effects, or would impair an individual’s ability to escape. It is an atmosphere where the potential exists where one could not escape without the aid of an RPD. Selection of RPD for work in IDLH atmospheres shall consider the method of escape in the event that the primary RPD mode fails, including level during the escape. IDLH levels may be established by national or local regulations or published by professional bodies. If there is uncertainty whether the concentration is above or below IDLH, or if the contaminants are unknown the atmosphere must be considered to be IDLH.

The following AS/NZS 1715 Table 4.6 AS/NZS 1715:2009 Table 4.6 Selection Considerations of use in oxygen deficiency or IDLH atmosphere or unknown concentrations of contaminants & Table 4.7 Selection Considerations – Task Related: RPE for Escape provide selection considerations

AS/NZS 1715:2009 Table 4.6

Selection Considerations of use in oxygen deficiency or IDLH atmosphere or unknown concentrations of contaminants
Expected Use Equipment Remarks
Escape SCBA, quick fill type Mines-continuous supply/rechargeable for

long escape route
Work, routine Full facepiece airline with EBD Limited mobility and distance to source of

respirable air
Work, including rescue use

 

 ·         Compressed air SCBA duration: > 15 minutes

·         Compressed oxygen SCBA

·         Air-line with SCBA

 ·         Limited Duration

·         Specialist training essential

·         Limited mobility and distance to source of respirable air
Special response HAZMAT incident. No O₂ deficiency Combined gas/vapour and particulate P3 full facepiece, PAPR or air-line with filter Assessed as suitable by emergency service personnel
Work, including rescue use

Special response HAZMAT incident. O₂ deficiency

 Compressed air SCBA duration: > 15 minutes

 

  
Work in Confined Space Refer to relevant Regulator Confined Space code of practice ·         If oxygen deficiency is suspected then supplied air equipment is suitable

·         Limited duration only

·         Specialist training essential

 

 

AS/NZS 1715:2009 Table 4.7

Selection Considerations – Task Related: RPE for Escape
Expected Use Equipment Remarks
Escape from smoke Smoke-make respirator If suspected oxygen deficiency then

supplied-air equipment shall be used
Escape from smoke and carbon monoxide (in an underground fire, explosion) Filter self-rescuer (mines) Provide limited protection against some

other gaseous contaminants

The duration is dependent on the amount

of water vapour in the atmosphere
Escape from gases (industrial) Filter self-rescuer (industrial) class 2 or 3 filters  
Escape, easy access SCBA, escape type (hood) duration: 5 to 8 minutes Access to respirable atmosphere

achievable at walking (6.5 km/h) pace

within the nominal effective life of the

apparatus of choice
Escape ·         SCBA, escape type (full facepiece) duration: 5 to 15 minutes

·         Oxygen generating set duration: 30 to 90 min

 Duration of set limited to 5 to 15 min

(SCBA escape type) and 30 to 90 min

(oxygen-generated type). No work or

rescue usage
Escape SCBA, quickfill type Mines—continuous supply/rechargeable

for long escape routes

 

Reference/s for further information and detail:

  • AS/NZS 1715:2009 – Selection, use and maintenance – Section 4.2.7, Table 4.3, Table 4.7
  • SA/SNZ TS ISO 16975.1:2023 – Selection, use and maintenance – Annex A