Secondary Respiration

One of the current health & safety issues to affect fire investigators is secondary respiration. The US Bureau of Tobacco & Firearms (ATF) commissioned research into the respiratory hazards at fire scenes during the investigation process (recording, examination and excavation of a fire scene). The research and report was jointly undertaken by the ATF and NIST. A copy of the report can be downloaded from the website Fire Scene Safety (see the link below).

The reaction to the report in the US is that the a large number of US Fire Departments require their firefighters to either wear Breathing Apparatus or respirators during scene overhaul (turning over & damping down). The report conformed that it is not practical for fire investigators to wear Breathing Apparatus during a scene examination. It is mandatory for ATF Certified Fire Investigators to wear respirators during their scene investigations. In addition, a lot of US Fire Department fire investigators are also wearing respirators.

• Fire Scene Safety
• Fire investigator occupational safety & health programs
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• NIOSH Respirator fact sheet link
• US Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco & Firearms ATF website