Page 39 - OHS, April 2020

After a fire, it’s not unusual for firefight- ers to experience headaches, sore throat, and nausea. Unfortunately, few firefighters connect these symptoms to inhaling toxic gases like HCN or CO.
While a single exposure to high con- centrations of HCN is concerning, it’s the repeated exposures over a lifetime of fire- fighting that pose long-term harm to the human body. Each exposure damages cells, and the heart, brain, and nervous system are especially prone to degradation. This is why it’s important for firefighters to moni- tor gas concentrations at all stages of a fire, including during overhaul.
When to Remove an SCBA
Considering the dangers posed by HCN and other toxic gasses, how do firefighters know when it is safe to remove an SCBA?
One solution is to train firefighters to always wear SCBAs. The problem with this approach is obvious: SCBA gear is hot and restrictive. When safety practices become onerous, no matter how well- intentioned, people tend to ignore them
in favor of convenience.
A better solution is to wear SCBA gear
when atmospheric conditions require it. This requires carrying a portable multi-gas detector that will alarm when gases rise to hazardous levels.
Advancements in gas detection mean a firefighter no longer needs bulky air-sam- pling equipment to monitor the environ- ment before or after a fire. Modern per- sonal gas detectors are user-friendly and small enough to be worn as a standard part of a responder’s turnout gear. Audible alarms sound when dangerous levels of gas are detected, and custom alarm notifi- cations provide clear instructions, so there’s no question about what to do next. For example, the monitor could be config- ured to display “Wear SCBA” when gases
reach dangerous levels.
These compact personal gas detectors
are highly configurable and can monitor up to five gases simultaneously. In addition to CO and HCN sensors, fire departments typically use sensors for lower explosive limits (LEL), oxygen (O2), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S).
Some of these personal gas detectors can even share real-time data among first responders and safety professionals who can monitor the situation remotely. Doing so keeps people informed of hazards af- fecting their team members and provides accountability both on-site and from the command center.
Using the right gas detectors for the hazards you’re likely to encounter gives you an invaluable safety tool for atmospheric monitoring and just might save the lives of your lifesaving heroes.
Holly Mazzia is a District Sales Manager at Industrial Scientific responsible for North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, DC, Maryland & East Tennessee.
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