Scott AV-3000 Facepieces

Important Safety Notice

Your immediate Action is Required

Concerning Scott AV-3000 Facepieces

WARNING

Scott has received reports of cracks being found in the plastic lens frames that encircle the AV-3000 facepiece. Read and follow the instructions contained in this notice. Failure to follow the instructions cited here may result in further damage to the facepiece which may expose the user to the atmosphere the AV-3000 equipped respirator was intended to protect against causing serious injury or death.

This notice concerns the Scott AV-3000 Facepiece Lens Frames manufactured between August 2003, and September 2004. The lens frame is the black plastic ring that goes around the outside perimeter of the lens, over the face seal. The frame is made of two pieces, a top, and a bottom, and the pieces connected together at the sides of the facepiece. See Figure 1 for a photograph of an AV-3000 facepiece. AV-3000 facepieces are used with a variety of Scott breathing equipment including:

NxG2 SCBA	Air-Pak 50 SCBA	2.2 2216 PSI SCBA
3.0 3000 PSI SCBA	4.5 4500 PSI SCBA	E-Z Airline Air Supplied Respirator
Ska-Pak Air Supplied Respirator	Ska-Pak Plus Air Supplied Respirator	Ska-Pak AT Air Supplied Respirator

Or when used in conjunction with adapters to make full facepiece chin or or twin respirators or a PAPR (adapter P/N 804058-01, 804057-01, 805622, 805059-01, 805665 or 805556).

Scott is notifying you that there have been reports of cracks being found in the lens frame during routine inspection. The cracking problem has been tracked back to production nonconformances at the manufacturer of the lens frame. See Figure 2 for a photograph showing the location of lens frame.

Molded plastic articles, like the lens frame, can exhibit markings known as "flow lines". Flow lines can be difficult to distinguish from cracks without close inspection. Flow lines appear where molten material flows together from two different directions in the mold. Our investigation has shown that they do not represent a problem in the part. Figures 3, 4 and 5 show typical differences between cracks and flow lines when the plastic frame is molded in the factory.

Scott recommends you fully inspect your AV-3000 facepiece(s) now and routinely as specified in the user instructions supplied with your facepiece and respirator, or as stipulated in your respiratory protection program. To inspect your facepiece, begin by cleaning the facepiece as per your instruction manual. Check to see if your facepiece was manufactured between August, 2003 and September, 2004. You can determine the date of manufacture of your facepiece from the white label at the chin of the lens frame (see Figure 6). If the label is missing or unreadable, check your purchase order records. If you are still unable to establish the date, contact Scott Technical Support and they will assist you in identification of the date of your facepiece.

If your facepiece was manufactured in the affected date range, remove any communications equipment mounting brackets from the facepiece following the procedures as set forth in the accessory instructions, and set them aside. Carefully inspect the entire lens frame for cracks. If you do not observe any cracks, mark the facepiece with the letter "A" on the lens frame with a white Sharpie pen near the left connector on both sides of the connector (top and bottom frames) in the area of the white label to show you have inspected that facepiece. If you locate a facepiece with a cracked lens frame, remove it from service and set it aside for repair, following the same procedures as you would for any other part discrepancy you could possibly find during routine inspections.

Figure 6. AV-3000 Label LOT # is the date. MMDDYY

If you observe cracking in the lens frame of your AV- 3000 facepiece, notify Scott or your Authorized Scott Distributor immediately by completing the attached user response form or by calling the Scott Technical Support Department at 1-800-247-7257. You will need the number of facepieces affected, shipping address and a contact person and their phone and fax numbers. Scot will replace the lens frames. The appropriate number of frames will be shipped directly to you at no cost. Replacement lens frames can be installed by you or if you require assistance contact your local Scott Authorized Service Center.

Scott has received no reports of injury due to this condition, however, Scott recognizes the importance these products play in everyday use and is committed to your safety by making you aware of any important information that may potentially affect your ability to perform your duties.

If you have any questions regarding this notice contact Scott Health & Safety at 1-800-247-7257 or Warren Fire Equipment at:


Figure 3. Crack		Figure 4. Flow Line		Figure 5. Flow Line