User's Manual

FLOW TEST AND OVERHAUL REQUIREMENTS
FLOW TEST AND OVERHAUL REQUIREMENTS
The Firehawk Regulator and Audi-Larm Alarm must be
f
low tested and overhauled at specific time intervals.
These Maintenance Procedures must be performed by a
trained repairperson or at a certified service center.
Contact your MSA sales representative or call the MSA
Customer Service Center at 1-877-MSA-3473. They will
s
upply the information needed to meet these require-
ments.
Annual flow tests are stated as a requirement in NFPA
1852, Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of
Open-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA),
2002 Edition, which further emphasizes their importance.
Although this standard relates to SCBA used in the fire
service, MSA requires that a flow test be performed at
least annually on all fire service and non-fire service SCBA
and combination respirators that use a pressure demand
regulator.
The required replacement/overhaul schedule for MSA air
masks is based on apparatus usage on an individual
basis. The frequency required for air mask overhaul
depends upon how often the apparatus is used. MSA air
masks must be overhauled based on the actual level of
usage of the air mask, rather than on time alone.
MSA air masks must be flow tested every year using an
M
SA approved flow test device. The following table sum-
marizes MSA’s required frequency for overhaul and flow
t
esting: An overhaul kit (MSA P/N 10048942) is available.
MSA recommends the routine inspection of all elastomeric
materials including, but not limited to those in the Visual
Inspection and Functional Check section of this manual.
A decision to retire apparatus should be based on an air
mask’s performance data and whether that data meets
the specified level of performance as defined in mainte-
nance requirements from MSA.
*The unit of air mask use is defined as the consumption of
one entire cylinder of air. Example: If three cylinders of air
are used, the air mask would be considered to have been
used three times.
If an assessment of the air mask’s usage cannot be esti-
mated or determined, then the air mask shall be over-
hauled every three years.
33
TAL 708 (L) Rev. 1 - 10082858
CBRN FireHawk Overhaul Regulators and Audi-Larm
Average Air Mask Usage Frequency Alarm Overhaul Frequency Flow Test Frequency
1 cylinder per day or greater every 1 year every 3 years every year
1 cylinder every other day every 3 years every 8 years every year
1 cylinder per week or less every 10 years every 15 years every year