Request for Comments and Scientific Information

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is working to develop appropriate standards and test procedures for respiratory devices used to protect workers in hazardous environments. NIOSH has initiated a program to update portions of 42 CFR Part 84 to promote improved performance and reliability of Closed-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (CC-SCBA).

Closed-Circuit Self-Contained breathing apparatus (CC-SCBA) devices designed for use as respiratory protection during entry into hazardous atmospheres that can be Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) are described as an apparatus of the type in which the exhaled breath is rebreathed by the wearer after the carbon dioxide has been effectively removed and oxygen concentration restored to suitable levels.

A concept paper defining notional performance requirements for this type of respiratory protective device has been developed and is available though this web site at the link below. Comments on this concept paper will be accepted through September 30, 2008. Reference Docket Number 039 for all submissions related to this topic. Interested persons or organizations are invited to participate in this process by submitting written views, arguments, recommendations, and scientific data. Comments are invited on any topic related to this concept paper.

Additional documents related to the development of an updated CC-SCBA performance standard are included as references below. NIOSH Public Meetings held on December 15, 2004, July 20, 2005, and October 12, 2006 discussed the development of a CC-SCBA performance standard for protection against Chemical, Biological, Nuclear and Radiological (CBRN) threats. Stakeholder feedback accumulated as a result of these meetings is being considered in the conceptual development of performance and testing requirements. Comments submitted relating to the three previous Draft CBRN CC-SCBA Concept Performance Standards were retained due to their historical and technical value which influenced the development of this current Draft Concept of Subpart Q; May 28, 2008. NIOSH has strategically determined that the adoption of all future respirator standards would be accomplished in a modular fashion using the In-Formal Rulemaking Process resulting in an update to Title 42 Code of Federal Regulation Part 84 (42 CFR 84); thus, the new CC-SCBA performance standard will be adopted using this process.

Official comments provided to Docket Number 039-A relating to Draft Concept of Subpart Q; May 28, 2008 shall be evaluated and be considered in developing the next Draft Concept and throughout the Rulemaking process.

Draft Subpart Q; Closed-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus; May 28, 2008	CC-SCBADraftModule-14.pdf (171kb; 16 pages)
Supporting Materials
Concept Standard for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN), Full Facepiece, Closed-Circuit, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)  - November 4, 2005	ccscba-110405.pdf (99kb; 14 pages)
Concept for CBRN Full Facepiece, Closed-Circuit, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) - June 20, 2005	CC-SCBAStd062005.pdf (176kb; 12 pages)
Concept for CBRN Full Facepiece, Closed Circuit, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) - October 30, 2004	CC-SCBAStd103004.pdf (59kb; 11 pages)
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Public Comment Period

Written comments on the document and resource information will be accepted through September 30, 2008 in accordance with the instructions below. All material submitted to NIOSH should reference docket number NIOSH-039-A. All electronic comments should be formatted as Microsoft Word and make reference to docket number NIOSH-039-A.

Comments will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. ET on September 30, 2008

To submit comments regarding this draft publication, please use one of these options:

• Send NIOSH comments using this online form
  
  
• Send comments by email.
  
  
• Fax comments to the NIOSH Docket Office: 513-533-8285
  
  
• Send by Mail to:
  NIOSH Mailstop: C-34
  Robert A. Taft Lab.
  4676 Columbia Parkway
  Cincinnati, Ohio 45226

NIOSH Draft Documents for Public Review