Program Overview
A self-contained breathing apparatus is life-support equipment. When a wearer enters an immediately dangerous atmosphere, there is no second chance if a regulator leaks, a low-pressure alarm fails or a cylinder is out of test. Inspection and calibration must therefore be systematic, documented and performed by competent technicians.
This program covers SCBA construction, inspection criteria and functional testing in depth. Participants learn to inspect harnesses, cylinders, valves, regulators and facepieces, measure static and dynamic pressures and airflow, verify end-of-service-time alarms and pressure gauges, and calibrate test equipment. The course aligns with NFPA 1981 performance requirements, NFPA 1852 care and maintenance practices and OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134 respiratory protection obligations, and follows the manufacturer's maintenance instructions for each set. Participants also learn to build a maintenance record system that shows, for every set in the fleet, when it was last inspected, what was found and who released it back to service. That record is what an auditor, an incident investigator or an incoming emergency team will ask for first.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify SCBA components and explain how pressure is reduced and delivered to the wearer
- Apply inspection criteria for daily, monthly and annual checks
- Perform functional tests, including leak, positive pressure and regulator performance tests
- Measure and verify cylinder, intermediate and facepiece pressures and airflow
- Calibrate SCBA test equipment and verify gauge accuracy
- Test alarm and warning systems, including end-of-service-time indicators
- Record results and remove defective sets from service correctly
Program Modules
- SCBA Components — cylinder, valve, pressure reducer, demand valve, facepiece, harness and gauges
- Inspection Criteria — visual inspection, cylinder hydrostatic test dates and acceptance and rejection criteria
- Functional Testing — high- and low-pressure leak tests, positive pressure checks and bypass operation
- Pressure and Airflow Checks — static and dynamic pressures, flow performance and breathing resistance
- Calibration Procedures — calibrating test benches and gauges and maintaining traceable records
- Alarm and Warning Systems — end-of-service-time alarms, heads-up displays and motion alarms
- Safety Requirements — handling high-pressure cylinders, cleaning and disinfection and OSHA 1910.134 obligations
Who Should Attend
- SCBA maintenance and breathing apparatus technicians
- Industrial fire team and emergency response personnel
- HSE officers managing respiratory protection programs
- Confined space rescue teams
- Safety equipment service providers
Standards & Codes Referenced
- NFPA 1981
- NFPA 1852
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134
Assessment & Certification
Assessment combines a written examination on SCBA components, inspection criteria and testing procedures with a practical assessment in which each participant inspects, function tests and verifies the calibration of an SCBA set on a test bench and records the results. Practical sessions take place at ASEEE-approved training centers, using calibrated equipment and realistic work scenarios under the supervision of a qualified assessor.
Participants who meet the competency criteria receive an ASEEE competency certificate carrying a unique certificate ID that employers and clients can verify online through Certificate Check. ASEEE recommends recertification every 2 years to keep skills aligned with current practice and revised standards.
