Personal Protection SMOKE HOODS AND PBEs


Your personal safety is of utmost importance during an in-flight fire emergency. The crew needs to be able to fly the aircraft, manage the passengers and fight the fire, all while remaining safe. Protecting yourself during this event is critically important. Understanding your equipment is key to remaining safe. Regulations are in place requiring protective equipment for the crew. This can be in several forms. Knowing the type and style of this equipment allows for quick action during an emergency.


Protective Breathing Equipment (PBE), also known as Smokehood: The PBE is a self-contained, portable, personal breathing device designed to safeguard the wearer from the effects of smoke, carbon dioxide, harmful gases and oxygen deficiency while managing inflight fire, smoke or fume emergencies. They also incorporate a small oxygen source, typically by generating Oxygen or using compressed a gas cylinder for minimum of 15 minutes of protection. They utilize neck or face seals to keep the smoke from entering the users respiratory system.


They are constructed from a heat resistant material which is able to retain its integrity up to temperatures in excess of 350 degrees C for a short period of time.


The main purpose of a PBE is to allow the crew the opportunity to fight a fire and manage the cabin and passengers during a smoke or fire emergency.


Types of PBEs:


There are many brands of PBE available with different shapes or design. They are all listed as one of two types, classified according to their source of Oxygen:


The COG (Chemical Oxygen Generator) PBEs


This type of PBEs uses a chemical Oxygen generator (also known as COG) as a source of Oxygen for the user.


The Compressed Oxygen PBEs (no chemical reaction and no heat source )


This type of PBE models is designed to contain a small compress Oxygen bottles as a source for the users breathable Oxygen.


17 Inflight Fire and Smoke


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