Evaluation of the Scott Aviation Portable Protective Breathing Device for Contaminant Leakage as Prescribed by FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) Action Notice A-8150.2. Phase 1. Original Tests of the Portable Protective Breathing Device. Phase 2. Test

摘要

At the request of Scott Aviation, performance tests of the crew portable protective breathing (CPBE) device (PN-802300-11) were conducted at ground level and 8,000 ft. altitude. The first tests at ground level measured contaminant leakage, oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, inhalation/exhalation pressures and internal/external dry-bulb temperatures; replications at 8,000 ft. were performed for all the variables except contaminant leakage. For ten male subjects, the device proved satisfactory for all measures tested; compliance with A-8150.2 could be established for internal CPBE temperature since no wet-bulb values were obtained. Devices were also tested on nine female subjects; the findings were successful for all measures except contaminant leakage. A new set of tests, approved by the FAA Certification Office in New York, was conducted after changes in neck seal material and opening size were made by Scott Aviation, using only 1 male and 5 females with small neck circumferences (11.81 to 13.07 ins.) and 1 male with a large neck size (16.62 ins.). These tests proved successful for all but two devices on subjects with unusually protruding larynxes, for which a further reduction in neck seal opening size afforded adequate protection for these individuals, as well as an acceptable comfort level for a large individual. It is concluded that the Scott CPBE device with a 1/16 in thick neoprene foam neck seal, having a 2.5 in. diameter opening, performs as required by FAA Action Notice A-8150.2 for the parameters measured. (RRH)