According to MED directive it is necessary to have on board, as part of the firefighting equipment, a specific number of SCBAs of a minimum autonomy of 1200 l. Such equipments shall be certified and marked with the MED/SOLAS wheel mark.
The Implementing Regulation of MED Directive states (item MED/3.7) that ISO 23269-2: 2011 – firefighting , maritime use only – shall be taken as reference for SCBAs requirements.
Just as a reminder, SCBAs are PPE certified according to EN 137 where they are classified into:
Type 1- Apparatus for industrial use
Type 2- Firefighting apparatus
Due to its intended use, Type 2 SCBA differs from Type 1 for highly flame-resistant materials that allow the apparatus to pass tests such as “Flame engulfment”, (*) and radiation resistance tests. Type 2 SCBA shall be equipped with a Class CL3+ mask.
From the above definitions, it follows that SCBA type 2 is the only SCBA suitable for use on board vessels, in accordance with MED requirements.
Spasciani supplies two Type 2-SCBAs models:
RN FR
RN FR T2
(*) SCBAs for firefighting must pass the “Flash Over” test: the apparatus is put in a cabin at 80° C for 15 minutes and burned by direct flames at 1.000 °C for 10 seconds. At the end of the test, the SCBA is dropped to the ground. After that, the SCBA must perform as usual.
