Good news for first responders out of the federal agency that develops and enforces federal hazmat transportation and pipeline safety regulations.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), announced on April 21 that it has issued a special permit to authorize the extension of the 15-year service life of certain carbon fiber reinforced aluminum-lined cylinders that are used in self-contained breathing apparatuses by fire departments and first responders.
PHMSA says this may provide a cost savings of $350 million or more over a 15-year period, most of which can be passed on to first responders and local fire departments throughout the U.S.
The IAFC's Safety, Health and Survival Section and the Volunteer & Combination Officers Section, along with the National Volunteer Fire Council, coordinated the donation of more than 1,000 cylinders to the PHMSA contractor for testing.
More information is available on the PHMSA website. Keep up on the latest hazmat news on the IAFC hazmat webpage.