Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
How to inspect SCBA and keep it in good working order using a SCBA inspection checklist
How to inspect SCBA and keep it in good working order using a SCBA inspection checklist
Published 19 May 2022
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) is used in areas or situations where breathable air is limited. Sometimes called CABA or Compressed Air Breathing Apparatus, SCBA is also used when there’s a need to protect the SCBA user from health and safety risks present in the air.
Use this SCBA inspection checklist to inspect your Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus before use, during cleaning, and at least once a month in compliance with regulations. You can download this checklist for free as PDF or on the iAuditor mobile app to check the following components and features of your SCBA:
SCBA is commonly used by firefighters when responding to fires. It is also used by personnel who work in oil rigs or by workers in industries such as mining and shipping where the work may involve areas with low levels of oxygen or where there’s a presence of dust, fumes, or other harmful substances in the air. A lot of other industries or situations require the use of SCBA whenever safe breathable air is compromised.
Considering the importance of SCBA for helping keep workers safe in their workplace, inspecting SCBA involves checking almost all the components to ensure its good working condition. Using a SCBA inspection checklist can be helpful to ensure that no part is missed and that the SCBA inspection is done thoroughly.
SCBA should be checked before each use, during cleaning, and, per OSHA regulations, should be checked at least once a month. The cylinders, a type of pressure vessel used with the SCBA, should also be tested every three to five years depending on the material.
SCBA cylinders are good for 15 years provided that they are properly maintained. After 15 years, SCBA cylinders should be disposed of and destroyed to prevent reuse.
The SCBA inspection checklist serves as a step-by-step guide to inspect SCBAs and their components such as:
iAuditor by SafetyCulture is a powerful safety inspection tool that can help SCBA users properly inspect SCBAs using SCBA inspection checklists. With iAuditor, you can check SCBAs and do the following:
This SCBA inspection checklist can be downloaded and customized for free to ensure that the SCBA checklist you will have is appropriate for the model of SCBA you are using.