FLOW TEST AND OVERHAUL REQUIREMENTS
FLOW TEST AND OVERHAUL REQUIREMENTS
The Firehawk Regulator and Audi-Larm Alarm must be flow
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 supply the information needed
to meet these requirements.
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), 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 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.
Category 1
Service Frequency
Category II
Category III
MSA 314 (L) Rev. 2 - 10128861
Average Cylinder
Category
Usage
One 30' cylinder
per day or greater
One 30' cylinder
per day or greater
One 30' cylinder
per day or greater
MSA air masks must be flow tested every year using an MSA
approved flow test device. The following table summarizes
MSA's required frequency for overhaul and flow testing.
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 maintenance 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 estimated
or determined, then the air mask shall be overhauled every
three years.
Pneumatic Seal
CBRN Shield
Replacement
Replacement
Once every 3 years
Once every 8 years
Every 3 years
Once every 15 years
Every 10 years
30
NFPA Flow Test
Every year
Every year
Every year
Every year