309 12 23 – Breathing Air & Apparatus (December 2023)

Date of Request

December 23

Request

Dear Sir/Madam

Would it be possible for you to answer some simple question in relation to your FireFighter life critical breathing air.

  1. Is your breathing air tested to BS EN 12021 (2014)
  2. Do you charge your breathing apparatus cylinders to 300bars pressure.
  3. Is your breathing air tested by your Fire Service personnel or a contractor?
  4. Is your breathing air tested monthly or every three months?
  5. If every three months does your high pressure compressor have a constant air quality monitoring device?
  6. Do you allow your compressor/s to remain in service is it fails to meet the minimum standard of BS EN 12021 (2014)
  7. If a breathing air compressor fails to meet the standards above do you have a lock out procedure.
  8. Other than testing the air quality at source do you have a “random cylinder air testing policy”.
  9. Would it be possible to have any fire service policy, procedures or risk assessments in relation to the above under freedom of information.

Kindest regards

Response

Dear X

Thank you for your request for information which has been received by Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (the Service) and considered under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000.

The Service can confirm the requested information is held and please find the answers to your questions are as per the below and attached.

  1. Is your breathing air tested to BS EN 12021 (2014)- Yes
  2. Do you charge your breathing apparatus cylinders to 300bars pressure.- Yes
  3. Is your breathing air tested by your Fire Service personnel or a contractor?- Contractor
  4. Is your breathing air tested monthly or every three months?- Monthly
  5. If every three months does your high pressure compressor have a constant air quality monitoring device?- N/A
  6. Do you allow your compressor/s to remain in service is it fails to meet the minimum standard of BS EN 12021 (2014) – No
  7. If a breathing air compressor fails to meet the standards above do you have a lock out procedure.- Yes
  8. Other than testing the air quality at source do you have a “random cylinder air testing policy”. – No
  9. Would it be possible to have any fire service policy, procedures or risk assessments in relation to the above under freedom of information Please find the attached risk assessment for operation of our analyser and EN12021, which we use for reference.

If you have any questions regarding your request, please contact Information Governance and Committee Services on tel: 0345 122 4454 or by e-mail informationrequests@hwfire.org.uk In any such communication please include the reference number assigned (see above).

Should you have any queries regarding the management of your request and wish to make either a complaint or request a review of the information disclosed to you, please do so by using Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service’s complaints system: Comments and Complaints. This must be done within 40 working days of our response to your request. After this date and in line with ICO guidance the Service is not obliged to provide an internal review of your request.

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the internal review, you may appeal the decision by contacting the Information Commissioner, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AF, Tel: 0303 123 1113 (alternatively 01625 545745) or E-mail: casework@ico.org.uk

Further information on Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service may be viewed at the Service’s website: www.hwfire.org.uk

Thank you for your request for information.

Information Governance Team

Download Attachment

analox-risk.doc