Method and an arrangement for checking the operation of breathing equipment

A breathing apparatus for an irrespirable environment, comprising:

• a supply of breathing gas;
• a closure valve on the gas supply;
• a pressure regulator downstream of the gas supply;
• at least one sensor for sensing at least one functional or status variable within the apparatus;
• a breathing mask downstream of the pressure regulator;
• an indicator for indicating a status of the breathing apparatus;
• at least one gas line interconnecting the gas supply, the pressure regulator, and the mask;
• and
• means for verifying functioning and status of the breathing apparatus prior to use of the breathing apparatus comprising processing means connected at least to the at least one sensor and the status indicator;
• said verifying means measuring at least one functional or status variable within the apparatus, comparing at least one of the at least one measured variable with a corresponding predetermined reference value in the processor, generating an output signal based upon the comparison to verify whether the breathing equipment is usable prior to use.

A method for verifying the functioning and status of breathing apparatus for an irrespirable environment prior to use of the apparatus, comprising the steps of:

• providing a breathing apparatus comprising a supply of breathing gas, a closure valve on the gas supply, a pressure regulator downstream of the gas supply, at least one sensor, a breathing mask downstream of the pressure regulator, a status indicator, processing means connected to the at least one sensor and the status indicator for receiving sensed data related to the pressure of the breathing gas and transmitting a signal corresponding to the status of the breathing apparatus, and gas lines between the gas supply, said pressure regulator, and the mask;
• prior to use of the breathing apparatus providing a closed end to the breathing apparatus by closing the pressure regulator or by placing the mask over the face of a user of the breathing apparatus;
• opening the closure valve on the gas supply;
• sensing data including at least one variable related to a gas pressure within at least a portion of the breathing apparatus, the at least one variable being selected from the group consisting of static pressure of the breathing gas and a change of pressure of the breathing gas with respect to time;
• transmitting the sensed data to the processing means;
• comparing the at least one measured variable with a corresponding reference value;
• producing an output signal based upon the comparison to verify whether the breathing equipment is usable prior to use.

A method for verifying the functioning and status of breathing apparatus for an irrespirable environment prior to use of the apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a breathing apparatus including a gas supply, a closure valve on the gas supply, a first pressure regulator downstream of the gas supply, a pressure sensor arranged between the closure valve and the first pressure regulator, a second pressure regulator downstream of the first pressure regulator, a breathing mask downstream of the first pressure regulator, a status indicator, processing means for receiving sensed data, comparing the sensed data with predetermined control values, and producing an output signal connected to the sensor and the status indicator, and gas lines between the gas supply, the first pressure regulator, the second pressure regulator, and the mask;
• prior to use of the breathing apparatus the processing means is activated;
• closing at least one of the first pressure regulator and the second pressure regulator;
• opening the closure valve thereby permitting gas to flow into the gas lines between the closure valve and the first pressure regulator or the second pressure regulator;
• closing the closure valve;
• measuring at least one functional or status variable related to a gas pressure within the gas line between the closure valve and the first pressure regulator or the second pressure regulator;
• comparing the at least one measured variable with a corresponding predetermined stored control value in the processing means;
• and
• transmitting a signal based upon the comparison to the status indicator to produce an indication whether the to verify whether the breathing equipment is usable prior to use.