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Subchapter 7. General Industry Safety Orders
Group 2. Safe Practices and Personal Protection
Article 10.1. Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment for Fire Fighters

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§3402. Definitions.


Buddy-Breathing Device. An accessory to self-contained breathing apparatus which permits a second person to share the same air supply as that of the wearer of the apparatus.
Enclosed Structure. A structure with a roof or ceiling and at least two walls which may present fire hazards to employees; such as, accumulations of smoke, toxic gases and heat, similar to those found in buildings.
Fire Fighter. An employee who is assigned to fire fighting activity, and is required to respond to alarms and perform emergency action at the location of a fire or fire related danger. Included are the employees of fire departments, fire protection districts, state fire agencies, organized fire companies, and private fire brigades when engaged in fire fighting activity.
Fire Fighting Activity. Physical action taken in the direct act of fire suppression, and rescue or hazardous duties performed at the location of a fire emergency.
Harmful Exposure. An exposure to dusts, fumes, mists, vapors, or gases:
(a) In excess of any permissible limit prescribed by Section 5155; or
(b) Of such a nature by inhalation as to result in, or have a probability to result in, injury, illness, disease, impairment, or loss of function.
Hazardous Environment. A place where a fire fighter is likely to receive a harmful exposure to a hazardous substance, or be exposed to physical or mechanical hazards which are likely to cause injury.
Hazardous Substance. One which by reason of being explosive, flammable, poisonous, corrosive, oxidizing, irritant or otherwise harmful, is likely to cause injury.
Long Duration Breathing Device. A self-contained respiratory protective device designed to provide the user with a respirable atmosphere for a minimum service time of one hour.
Overhaul. The final stages of fire extinguishment, after the main body of a fire has been controlled, during which all traces of fire are extinguished, where the potential for harmful exposure still exists.
Primary Eye Protection. A protective device specifically intended to shield the eyes from certain hazards while permitting vision.
Private Fire Brigade. An organized group of private industry fire personnel who may also be assigned to other functions, but who have priority obligation to fire protection. Fire fighting responsibility may be independent, under mutual-aid agreement, or supported by regular fire service assistance.
Proximity Fire Fighting. Specialized fire fighting operations that can include the activities of rescue, fire suppression, and property conservation at incidents involving fire producing high levels of radiant heat as well as conductive and convective heat.
Quick Disconnect Valve. A device which starts the flow of air by inserting of the hose (which leads from the facepiece) into the regulator of self-contained breathing apparatus, and stops the flow of air by disconnection of the hose from the regulator.
Respiratory Protective Device (RPD). A breathing device designed to protect the wearer from oxygen-deficient, or hazardous atmosphere.
(A) Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). A portable respiratory protective device, normally designed to be worn by the user by means of an incorporated harness assembly, with its own supply of air, oxygen or oxygen generating material. It is normally equipped with a full facepiece. Self-contained breathing apparatus is further described in 30 CFR Chapter 1, Part 11, Subpart H.
(B) Closed-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus. A device in which exhaled breath is scrubbed of CO2 and recycled.
(C) Open-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus. A device in which compressed air is released to the face piece from a storage cylinder, and exhaled air is expelled to the atmosphere. (Oxygen supply is not permitted in open-circuit breathing apparatus used in fire fighting activities.)
(D) Demand-Type Breathing Apparatus. Equipment in which pressure inside the facepiece is slightly negative on inhalation, and positive on exhalation.
(E) Positive-Pressure Type Breathing Apparatus. Equipment in which the pressure inside the facepiece is positive during both inhalation and exhalation.
(F) Combination Breathing Apparatus-Respirator. A combination of compressed air self-contained breathing apparatus and National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Type C supplied-air respiratory protective device of the positive-pressure type.
Combination respirator equipment is further described in 30 CFR, Chapter 1, Part 11, Subparts H and J.
Self-Extinguishing. A term applied to a material which when subjected to flaming ignition, may ignite and propagate only until removal of the source of ignition.
Service Time. The period of time that a respirator has been rated by NIOSH to provide protection to the wearer.
Structural Fire Fighting. The activities of rescue, fire suppression, and property conservation due to a fire or emergency situation involving building(s), enclosed structure(s), vehicle(s), marine vessel(s), or like properties.
Training. The process of making proficient through instruction and hands-on practice in the operation of equipment, including respiratory protection equipment, that is expected to be used and in the performance of assigned duties.
Wildlands. Sparsely populated geographical areas covered primarily by grass, brush, trees, crops, or combination thereof.
Wildland Fire Fighting. The activities of fire suppression and property conservation in woodlands, forests, grasslands, brush, prairies, and other such vegetation, or any combination of vegetation, that is involved in a fire situation, but is not within buildings or structures.
Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). The zone of transition between unoccupied land and human development. It is the line, area or zone where structures and other human development meet or intermingle with undeveloped wildland or vegetative fuels. Communities adjacent to and surrounded by wildland are at varying degrees of risk from wildfires.

Credits

Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Sections 142.3 and 147.4, Labor Code.
History
1. Amendment filed 9-11-80; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 80, No. 37).
2. Amendment filed 4-8-81; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 81, No. 37).
3. Amendment filed 4-29-85; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 85, No. 18).
4. Amendment of section and Note filed 11-7-2022; operative 1-1-2023 (Register 2022, No. 45). Transmission deadline specified in Government Code section 11349.3(b) extended 60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-40-20 and an additional 60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-71-20. Filing deadline specified in Government Code section 11349.3(a) extended 60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-40-20 and an additional 60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-71-20.


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