Texas Fire World
March-April 2005

An important safety notice has been released by SCOTT Health & Safety. It applies to all users of SCOTT® respirators equipped with E-Z FLO® regulators including: AIRPAK® models 2.2/3.0/4.5/ Fifty™ and SWAT-PAK® Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), SCOTT Industrial SCBA, SCOTT Model SKA-PAK® egress only and egress with airline respirators and all E-Z Airline™ respirators. The notice applies to the respirators equipped with E-Z FLO regulators manufactured since 1992.

Several fire departments have reported the demand lever becoming dislodged causing a regulator malfunction that results in no air flow through the regulator during normal inhalation. Air can be supplied to the wearer by activation of the purge knob. Product owners should be aware of this potential condition.

The demand lever can become dislodged from its mountings if the regulator is struck severely against the retaining lip of the regulator body located exactly opposite of the donning switch.

Once dislodged out of its bracket, the regulator will immediately stop delivering air when the user inhales. The regulator will continue to function for a period of time if only one side of the lever is dislodged. If air is found not to be delivered to the face piece, the user should follow the emergency procedures specified in the operation maintenance instructions.

In order to prevent the demand lever from being dislodged, two standard screws that hold the demand lever mounting bracket in place can be replaced. The two tall-headed screws prevent the demand lever from moving side to side if it is struck severely. SCOTT has updated the Mask Mounted regulators beginning in March of 2003 with the updated screws. Updated masks at a users location can be identified by the letters “MS” at the end of the serial number. Users who have had the demand lever become dislodged should notify SCOTT by calling 1-800-247-7257, or fax 1-704-291-8340, or email hsservice@tycoint.com.