Applications for Approval of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Intended to Meet the Requirements of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1986, Standard on Respiratory Protection Equipment for Tactical and Technical Operations, 2017 edition

Letter to all Interested Parties

October 2, 2017

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is announcing to all interested parties that as of October 2, 2017, it is prepared to receive applications seeking approval for SCBA configurations intended to be compliant with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1986, “Standard on Respiratory Protection Equipment for Tactical and Technical Operations”, 2017 edition. In coordination with The Safety Equipment Institute’s (SEI) announcement regarding their program to issue approvals against the NFPA 1986 standard, NIOSH will begin accepting the necessary applications for 1986 approval in the very same manner that it currently receives applications which lead to approval against the NFPA 1981, “Standard on Open-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus for Fire and Emergency Services”. In addition to referring to SEI’s NFPA 1986 announcement, we advise interested parties to refer to NIOSH’s updated policy statements on issuing SCBA approvals incorporating CBRN protections, incorporating components for evaluation as Emergency Breathing Support Systems (EBSS), and recently released submittal guidance for CBRN SCBA apparatus, “The Standard Application Procedure for the Approval of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Under 42 CFR Part 84”.

Further inquiries to NIOSH may be directed to Robert Stein at, 412-386-6889 or by email at rstein@cdc.gov. Information regarding inquiries to SEI can be found in their announcement.

Sincerely,
Jeffrey Peterson
Acting Chief, Conformity Verification and Standards Development Branch

Letter [PDF – 35 KB]