Atmosphere-Supplying Respirator #1: Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)

A self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is an atmosphere-supplying respirator that uses its own air tank to supply clean air to the employee. This means that it does not need a filter. SCBAs protect against higher concentrations of dangerous chemicals. They are often used by firefighters and come in both half-mask and full-face pieces.

There are some disadvantages to SCBAs. They are very heavy (30 pounds or more) and require very specific training on how to use and maintain them. In addition, the air tanks generally last just an hour (or less, depending upon the quality of the tank and the user's rate of breathing).

To learn more about Respiratory Protection visit our Respiratory Protection Online Training web page.