Citation

Burgess WA, Sidor R, Lynch JJ, Buchanan P, Clougherty E. Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J. 1977; 38(1): 18-23.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1977, American Industrial Hygiene Association)

DOI

10.1080/0002889778507906

PMID

842565

Abstract

Carbon monoxide and oxygen concentrations were measured in seventy-two structural fires using a personal air sampler carried by working firefighters. In a total sampling time of 1329 minutes the carbon monoxide concentration exceeded 500 ppm approximately 29 percent of the time. The maximum carbon monoxide concentration was 27,000 ppm and in 10 percent of the fires, the maximum concentration exceeded 5500 ppm. Only six runs indicated oxygen concentrations less than 18 percent. On the basis of these exposure data, a minimum protection factor of 100 is proposed for breathing apparatus for structural firefighting.

Language: en