MSA TransAire - Unpacking; Donning; Donning the Cylinder and Carrier

3 Unpacking
US 6
BothrespiratorsfromMSAareapprovedbytheNationalInstituteforOccupationalSafetyandHealth(NIOSH)foruseas
anescapedevicefromhazardousatmospheres,includingthosewhichareimmediatelydangeroustolifeorhealth(IDLH).
AnIDLHatmosphereisdefinedas:
“ ... conditions that pose an immediate threat to life or health or conditions that pose an immediate threat of severe
exposure to contaminants, such as radioactive materials, which are likely to have adverse cumulative or delayed effects on
health.” [Title 42 CFR, Part 84, Subpart A, par. 84.2 (q)].”
TransAireEscapeapparatusconsistofacarriercontainingaloose-fittinghood,aflow-controlregulatorandhose
assembly,andanaircylinderandvalveassembly.TheTransAire5MinuteEscapeHoodRespiratoraircylindercontainsa
5-minutesupplyofairatFULLpressure(2216psig).TheTransAire10MinuteEscapeHoodRespiratoraircylinder
containsa10-minutesupplyofairatFULLpressure(3000psig).
TherearesignificantdifferencesbetweenESCAPEapparatus(liketheTransAire)andself-containedbreathingapparatus
(SCBA).
Table 2 Comparison: TransAire Escape Apparatus vs Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
5-Minute Escape Apparatus 10-Minute Escape Apparatus SCBA
Airflowsfromthecylindertothehood
constantlyuntilthecylinderisempty(5
minutes)
Airflowsfromthecylindertothehood
constantlyuntilthecylinderisempty
(10minutes)
Airflowsfromthecylindertothehood
followinguser'sbreathingrate(30
minutesto60minutes)
Noaudiblealarmwhenthecylinderis
nearlyempty
Noaudiblealarmwhenthecylinderis
nearlyempty
Audiblealarmwarnstheuserthatthe
cylinderisnearlyempty
Loose-fittinghood Loose-fittinghood Tight-fittingpressure-demand
facepiece.Servicetime:30to60
minutes(dependsonthemodel).
Theapparatuscanbewornonthechest,hiporwaist,andmaybecarriedintoorstoredinanareathatmaybepotentially
hazardous.Thehoodisdesignedtobeareservoirofbreathingair.Itisnotdesignedtoprovidesplashprotectionor
withstandexposuretodirectflameorhighheat.
3 Unpacking
Whenyoureceivetheapparatus,inspectittobesureithasnotbeendamagedinshipment.Inmaycases,youwillnotbe
thefirsttohandletheapparatus.So,checkthatitisassembledcorrectly.ChecktheaircylindertobesureitisFULL.The
pressuregaugeshouldread3000psiat70°Fforthe10-minuteunitand2216forthe5-minuteunit.
4 Donning
NOTE: Thecylindermaybewornthreeways:Chest-mounted,hip-mounted,orwaist-mounted.
4.1 Donning the Cylinder and Carrier

1. Chest-Mounted
a. CheckthatthestraphookisattachedtothebottomD-ring.
b. Adjustthecarrierstraptofitcomfortablyoveryourhead.