posted February 20, 2008

Important Safety Notice

To all users of the Scott AV-3000 Facepieces

 

Attention All users of Scott AV-3000 Facepieces:

 

WARNING Some users of the AV-300 facepieces have reported separation of the head harness from the facepiece at the rubber attachment tab. Separation of the tab may result in exposing the user to the atmosphere the respirator was intended to protect the user against


 carefully review the entire notice before taking action.
SCOTT has learned that some AV-3000 facepieces have separated at the rubber tab which connects the head harness to the facepiece seal lens.

 

 
Figure 1
AV-3000 Facepiece

 

Based on  laboratory testing, the force needed to damage the faceseal is well beyond what is needed to properly don a facepiece  and achieve a good face-to-facepiece seal. As a result, most users have not experienced damage to their equipment. To achieve a good face-to-facepiece seal, the AV-3000 facepiece requires less tension on the head harness straps than some of the other SCOTT Facepiece Models. This may lead some users to over tighten the straps on the AV-3000 facepiece.
Because reducing the potential of any risk begins with basic procedures, SCOTT is reminding users to follow the steps in the Operation and Maintenance instructions regarding donning the facepiece. Prior to donning your facepiece, inspect your respirator as discussed in your organized respiratory protection program or as discussed in the Operations and Maintenance instructions originally supplied with your respirator. Additional copies of the Operations and Maintenance instructions are available from SCOTT upon request.
DONNING THE AV-3000 FACEPIECE
To begin use of respirator, don the facepiece (i.e., place facepiece on face and obtain a proper seal) as follows:
  1. Examine the facepiece assembly to be certain the nose cup inhalation valves are installed, the nose cup is correctly positioned inside the face seal chin cup, and nose cup is properly seated between the flanges of the voicemitter ducts.
  2. Adjust the head straps to the full outward position.
  3. Hold the head harness out of the way with one hand while placing the facepiece on the face with the other hand.

NOTE:ENSURE THAT THE CHIN IS PROPERLY LOCATED IN THE CHIN OF THE FACEPIECE.

NOTE: IF THE FACEPIECE IS EQUIPPED WITH A RUBBER HEAD HARNESS, POSITION THE TOP CENTER    OVER THE CROWN OF THE HEAD. MAINTAIN THE HEAD HARNESS IN THIS POSITION WHILE    TIGHTENING THE STRAPS. Tighten the neck straps by pulling the lower strap ends    toward the rear of the head.

  1. Tighten the neck straps by pulling the lower strap ends toward the rear of the head.
Figure 2
PULLING THE TWO LOWER STRAPS
  1. Verify that the head harness is lying flat against the back of the head by stroking the harness using one or both hands. Retighten neck straps.
  2. Adjust the temple straps by pulling the two upper strap ends toward the rear of the head. Use caution pulling temple straps as over tightening may cause discomfort.
Figure 3
PULLING THE TWO UPPER STRAPS
  1. Retighten the neck straps if required. Note, on subsequent use by the same wearer, release and retightening of the temple straps may not be required.
  2. With facepiece sealed to face, check face to facepiece seal and placing your hand over the regulator port on the front of the fireplace, then inhaling and listening for air leaks, and exhaling and listening for air leaks.If leakage of air is detected during either of the above procedures, remove the facepiece and repeat donning steps 1 through 8 above. If a user seal check is unsatisfactory either per the user instructions above or the OSHA fit testing process, the use of Mask Seal Kit P/N 805655-01 is required. The Mask Seal Kit is provided with the full facepiece. Refer to the INSTALLATION AND USE INSTRUCTIONS, SCOTT P/N 89462-01, included with the Mask Seal Kit. This is a NIOSH approved kit to enhance the fit of the facepiece. If leakage persists, do not use the respirator.
  3. Put on, or replace, helmet or other required protective head gear and put on or properly position and close any required protective clothing such as turn out gear. The user of the respirator must make certain that any protective head gear, helmet or protective clothing does not interfere with the use of the respirator and that the head can move freely without dislodging the facepiece or disturbing the face to facepiece seal.
When donning the facepiece the user should only pull hard enough to secure the facepiece to the head and achieve a good face to facepiece seal. To achieve a good face-to-facepiece seal, the AV-3000 facepiece requires less tension on the head harness straps than some of the other SCOTT Facepiece Models. This may lead some users to over tighten the straps on the AV-3000 facepiece. If you have any questions regarding donning a facepiece to achieve a good facepiece seal, contact the administrator of your organized respiratory protection program.

REPORTING PROBLEMS
If a separation or other damage occurs, do not use the facepiece. Remove the facepiece from service in accordance with your respiratory protection program. If  you have experienced a problem with the AV-
3000 Facepiece and need replacement information, contact SCOTT at 1-800-247-7257 (or 704-291-8300 outside the continental United States).