Posted by Nicky Smol on March 13, 2025 in Other news
The maritime industry demands high safety standards. Crew members often work in hazardous conditions where fire, toxic gas leaks, or low oxygen levels create serious risks. Therefore, having the right Breathing Apparatus Maritime solutions is crucial. Ships must carry breathing protection equipment to ensure crew members and emergency responders can operate safely in compromised air conditions.
Two essential breathing protection devices in the maritime sector are the Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and the Emergency Escape Breathing Device (EEBD). While both provide safety, they serve different purposes. Moreover, they must meet strict SOLAS and IMO regulations. In this article, we will explore the importance of maritime breathing apparatus, the challenges of ensuring proper protection, and how to choose the best solution for your vessel.
Ships operate in high-risk environments, where exposure to fire, toxic fumes, and low-oxygen conditions can be extremely dangerous. Therefore, a breathing apparatus is essential. It provides a secure air supply in emergencies, allowing crew members to escape safely or conduct rescue operations.
For example, confined spaces like engine rooms, cargo holds, or enclosed compartments often contain hazardous gases such as carbon monoxide, methane, or hydrogen sulfide. These gases make normal breathing impossible. Without proper breathing protection, crew members can quickly succumb to asphyxiation or toxic inhalation. This can result in serious injuries or even fatalities.
Firefighters and emergency responders rely on breathing apparatuses to handle onboard fires. Since smoke and heat can impair visibility and air quality, the right equipment is essential.
To ensure safety, SOLAS regulations require ships to have both SCBAs for firefighting and EEBDs for emergency escape. However, having the equipment alone is not enough. Proper maintenance, accessibility, and crew training are equally important. Without these, breathing protection may fail in critical moments.
Ships must comply with strict international regulations. These regulations ensure that breathing apparatuses meet safety standards. The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) provides specific requirements for SCBAs and EEBDs.
For example, SOLAS mandates that all ships carry at least two fireman’s outfits, each equipped with an SCBA. These SCBAs must have a minimum air capacity of 1,200 liters, which provides approximately 30 minutes of breathable air. Additionally, EEBDs must be installed in machinery spaces and enclosed areas. This ensures a quick escape in case of a gas leak or fire.
Furthermore, vessels must ensure that breathing equipment is approved and certified by recognized authorities. These include DNV, Lloyd’s Register, ABS, and UK-MER Red Ensign. Non-compliance can lead to penalties, operational restrictions, and increased safety risks.
Having breathing apparatuses onboard is not sufficient. They must be easily accessible in high-risk areas such as engine rooms, cargo holds, and enclosed spaces.
To address this, SCBAs should be stored in designated locations, ensuring that firefighters and emergency responders can retrieve them quickly. Similarly, EEBDs should be placed near escape routes. This allows for fast and easy use in emergencies.
Additionally, SOLAS regulations require ships to have either onboard cylinder recharging facilities or spare cylinders. This ensures that SCBAs remain functional during extended firefighting or rescue operations.
Owning SCBAs and EEBDs is not enough. Crew members must receive proper training to use them correctly in emergencies. Unfortunately, many accidents occur because personnel do not know how to wear or operate breathing apparatuses properly.
For instance, SCBAs must be properly fitted to prevent leaks. This ensures that users receive a full supply of breathable air. Likewise, EEBDs should be easy to deploy and used correctly to maximize their effectiveness. That is why training and fit testing are essential. Crew members must fully understand how to operate this equipment in real emergency situations.
At T-ISS, we provide high-quality Breathing Apparatus Maritime solutions. All our products meet SOLAS, IMO, and ISO standards to ensure maximum safety.
Our SCBA is designed for firefighting and emergency rescue operations, offering a six-liter steel cylinder with positive pressure that provides approximately 30 minutes of breathable air. It includes a full-face mask, back strap, supply valve, alarm whistle (set at 46 Mpa), and pressure reducer, all packed in a convenient carrying bag.
This SCBA is fully SOLAS-compliant and has been certified by DNV MED module B&D, ensuring that it meets all safety and performance requirements for maritime use.
Our EEBD is designed for quick evacuation from toxic or oxygen-deficient environments, providing a short-term supply of breathable air to help crew members escape safely. It is compact, lightweight, and easy to deploy, making it an essential part of any ship’s safety equipment.
The T-ISS EEBD meets Fire Safety Systems Code (FSSC) Chapter 3 standards and has been approved by DNV, Lloyd’s Register, ABS, and UK-MER Red Ensign, ensuring compliance with all major maritime safety regulations.
While both devices play a vital role in maritime safety, there is a difference between the SCBA and the EEBD. SCBAs are designed for professionals like firefighters who need a long-duration air supply to perform rescue or firefighting tasks. EEBD, however, are meant for emergency escape, providing just enough air for crew members to evacuate from hazardous environments safely.
Both devices are mandatory on SOLAS-compliant ships, ensuring crew safety in emergencies.
Investing in Breathing Apparatus Maritime solutions is essential for crew safety and regulatory compliance. Whether for firefighting, emergency response, or escape situations, having reliable SCBAs and EEBDs onboard can make all the difference.
At T-ISS, we are dedicated to providing high-quality, SOLAS-compliant breathing protection equipment. Our solutions help ships and maritime professionals stay fully prepared for emergencies.
Ensure your vessel meets the highest safety standards.
