§ 6331

The division shall enter into a contract for the development and execution of tests to define safety standards for the use of positive pressure, closed circuit, breathing apparatus in interior structural fires. The testing shall define numerically what constitutes positive pressure in breathing apparatus. The testing shall also address the issues of the heat of the oxygen coming into the mask, the condensation inside the mask, the possibility of, and effect of, moisture condensation in the lungs of the wearer of the mask, and the risks associated with a dislodgement of the mask in an interior structural fire situation. The development of these tests shall utilize the resources of recognized specialists in fire research to design, conduct, and execute the tests and develop the standards. The standards board shall adopt or revise safety standards based on the results of these tests.

The test parameters, the location where the testing will take place, and the level of expertise required shall be determined by the Cal-OSHA Self Contained Breathing Apparatus Advisory Committee.

(Added by Stats. 1984, Ch. 1571, Sec. 1.)