1.1 Scope. 1.1.1* This standard shall specify the minimum requirements for the design, performance, testing, and certification of new compressed breathing air open-circuit self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and compressed breathing air combination open-circuit self-contained breathing apparatus and supplied air respirators (SCBA/SARs) and for the replacement parts, components, and accessories for these respirators. A.1.1.1 The use of SCBA by fire fighters is always assumed to be in atmospheres immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH). There is no way to predetermine hazardous conditions, concentrations of toxic materials, or percentages of oxygen in air in a fire environment, during overhaul (salvage) operations, or under other emergency conditions involving spills or releases of hazardous materials. Thus, SCBA are required at all times during any fire-fighting, hazardous materials, or overhaul operations. General use criteria are contained in NFPA 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program. 1.1.2 This standard shall also specify the minimum requirements for the design, performance, testing, and certification of replacement parts, components, and add-on accessories for SCBA and combination SCBA/SARs certified as compliant to specific earlier editions of this standard. 1.1.3 This standard shall not specify requirements for other types of SCBA. 1.1.4* This standard shall not specify requirements for any accessories that could be attached to the certified product that are not certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). A.1.1.4 Both NIOSH 42 CFR 84, “Respiratory Protective Devices, Tests for Permissibility,” and NFPA 1981 require any accessory attached to an SCBA to be certified under both of these documents. Emergency response organizations are cautioned that accessories are not part of the certified product but could be attached to a certified product by means not engineered, manufactured, or authorized by the certified product manufacturer. Emergency response organizations are cautioned that if an accessory or its means of attachment causes the performance of the certified product to be compromised, the certified product might not be compliant with the standard with which it was originally certified as compliant. Additionally, if an accessory or the accessory’s means of attachment are not designed and manufactured from suitable materials for the hazardous environments of emergency incidents, the failure of the accessory, or means of attachment, could cause injury to the emergency responder. Where users desire an accessory that is not part of the certification of the SCBA, the user must contact the SCBA manufacturer to seek approval for the accessory. Attachment of any accessory that is not approved and part of the certification of the SCBA will void the certification. 1.1.5 This standard shall not establish criteria for SCBA for water or underwater operations. 1.1.6 This standard shall not establish criteria for protection from ionizing radiation. 1.1.7 This standard shall not be construed as addressing all of the safety concerns associated with the use of compliant SCBA and combination SCBA/SARs. It shall be the responsibility of the persons and organizations that use compliant SCBA and combination SCBA/SARs to establish safety and health practices and to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.1.8 This standard shall not be construed as addressing all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with the use of this standard by testing facilities. It shall be the responsibility of the persons and organizations that use this standard to conduct testing of SCBA and combination SCBA/SARs to establish safety and health practices and to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to using this standard for any designing, manufacturing, and testing. 1.1.9 Nothing herein shall restrict any jurisdiction or manufacturer from exceeding these minimum requirements.