In a June 25 Federal Register filing, the agency said it had developed potential revisions to the requirements for remaining service-life indicators on SCBAs – devices built into respirators to alert users that the respirator is close to depletion – that will set a default service life at 25% of the rated service time.

Additionally, the indicator will be able to be adjusted higher by the unit manufacturer at the request of the purchaser.

“[These changes] allow greater latitude in the setting of the indicator alarm to ensure that the alarm more effectively meets the different worker protection needs of different work operations,” NIOSH said.

“HHS [Health and Human Services] also considered the possibility of allowing a ‘user-adjustable’ alarm setting but rejected that option because of the complexity of the remaining service-life indicator.

“Allowing respiratory program managers to adjust the settings in the field would require extensive training and due to the technical difficulties of this task would introduce a reliability [and hence safety] concern.”

The comment period is open and input must be received by August 24 via the government’s online regulations portal, www.regulations.gov or by mail to the NIOSH docket office.

All communication should be clearly titled “Open-circuit self-contained breathing apparatus remaining service-life indicator performance requirements, RIN 0920-AA38” and should identify the author as well as a return address and phone number.