Any person involved in training evolutions that require them to wear self-contained positive pressure breathing apparatus shall not be allowed to wear a beard.
Manufacturers of self-contained breathing apparatus and O.S.HA. regulations recommend that persons wearing beards, side burns or lengthy hair should not wear a self-contained breathing apparatus since it may interfere with a proper face piece seal and render the unit ineffective. The Massachusetts Fire Fighting Academy also endorses this same policy The following information is taken from N.F.P.A. 1500-1987 Fire Department Occupational and Health Program. Chapter 5 , Section 5-3.1O*. Beards or facial hair that interfere with the face piece seal shall be prohibited for members required to use S.C.B.A.
*A-5-3.10, An effective face to face piece seal is extremely important when using S.C.B.A. even with positive pressure S.C.B.A. any outward leakage will increase the rate of air consumption reducing the time available for use and safe exit.
Participants in any evolutions requiring the use of S.C.B.A. should be familiar with this guideline and plan to follow same.
