Self-contained Breathing Apparatus Testing And Certification

Self-contained breathing apparatus - testing and certification - administration by department of public safety - rule-making authority - appropriation. Currently, local fire departments and other users of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) rely on certification under standards promulgated by the United States department of transportation (DOT) or the national institute for occupational safety and health (NIOSH) for quality control of pressure vessels. These certifications are considered valid through the vessel's recommended service life, but that service life is finite.

Section 1 of the act declares that, with the emergence of new technology to test the continuing safety of vessels that are at the end of their initial recommended service life, vessels that remain safe can and should be recertified for an additional period rather than discarded, resulting in a saving of tax dollars for local governments.

Sections 2 and 3 give the director of the division of fire prevention and control in the department of public safety the authority to inspect SCBA equipment and, if necessary, to write rules governing the inspection and certification of pressure vessels. Any such rules must incorporate or recognize current DOT or NIOSH standards for certification and recertification with regard to any technology that is accepted by those federal agencies.

$40,291 is appropriated to the department of public safety for use by the division of fire prevention and control to implement the act.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)