Escape Special Application
There are many unpredictable situations where workers have to be protected within seconds against the threat of a contaminated and/or oxygen-deficient atmosphere. These include confined spaces, mining and work on board ships or underground. Respiratory Protective Devices (RPD) may be carried on the worker’s body or stored at strategic locations close by the workspace. Mass, weight distribution, size and ergonomic design are important.
RPD need to be easily donned with minimal training. Minimum requirements are different from those of RPD designed for routine use because shorter wear duration and infrequent use is expected. Specific criteria address higher inhalation and exhalation rates, higher permitted CO2 concentration in inhaled air and different filter capacities.
Under certain special applications (fire, CBRN, marine, mining), escape devices shall meet additional specific requirements. For example, those for use on board ships must withstand low frequency/high acceleration vibration conditions as escape devices may be directly mounted on the walls of vessels. Escape RPD for deployment in mines must address the possibility of poor ventilation, restricted escape paths and long exit routes. Refer SA/SNZ TS ISO 16973 Annex C.
RPD for Escape only are designated by ES followed by the specific application and the duration in minutes. Escape RPD can be filtering or supplied breathable gas RPD. Escape general filtering RPDs are designated by ES followed by the gas type, e.g. ES OV (t). Escape general, supplied breathable gas RPDs are not designated for a specific contaminant.
Refer AS/NZS 1715 Section 4.3.6 and Table 4.7 (as below) for task related selection considerations for Escape. For products meeting AS/NZS 1716, refer to the manufacturer to confirm that the selected product/s as suitable for the intended Escape situation and/or environments.
| AS/NZS 1715:2009 Table 4.7
Selection Considerations – Task Related: RPE for Escape |
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| Expected Use | Equipment | Remarks |
| Escape from smoke | Smoke-mask 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 4.3.6 Emergency Escape
- SA/SNZ TS ISO 16975.1:2023 – Selection, use and maintenance – Section 7.3.3.12.8
- SA/SNZ TS ISO 16973:2023 – Classification – Section 11.8 and Annex C
- AS/NZS ISO 17420.6:2022 – Special application Escape
