[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 42, Volume 1]
[Revised as of October 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 42CFR84.84]

[Page 523]
 
                         TITLE 42--PUBLIC HEALTH
 
    CHAPTER I--PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN 
                                SERVICES
 
PART 84_APPROVAL OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE DEVICES--Table of Contents
 
              Subpart H_Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
 
Sec. 84.84  Hand-operated valves; minimum requirements.

    (a) Hand-operated valves shall be designed and constructed to 
prevent removal of the stem from the valve body during normal usage to 
insure against a sudden release of the full pressure of the container 
when the valve is opened.
    (b) Valves shall be designed or positioned to prevent accidental 
opening and closing, and damage from external forces.
    (c) Valves operated during use of the apparatus shall be installed 
in locations where they can be readily adjusted by the wearer.
    (d) Main-line valves, designed and constructed to conserve gas in 
the event of a regulator or demand valve failure, shall be provided in 
addition to gas container valves, except when such failure will not 
affect performance.
    (e) Hand-operated bypass systems designed and constructed to permit 
the wearer to breathe and to conserve his gas supply in the event of a 
regulator or demand valve failure, shall be provided where necessary.
    (f) Valves installed on apparatus shall be clearly distinguishable 
from one another by sight and touch.
    (g) The bypass system valve control shall be colored red.
    (h) A main-line or bypass valve or system will not be required on 
apparatus for escape only.
    (i) Safety relief valves or systems, designed and constructed to 
release excess pressure in the breathing circuit, shall be provided on 
closed-circuit apparatus, and shall meet the following requirements:
    (1) The relief valve or system shall operate automatically when the 
pressure in the breathing circuit on the inhalation side of the 
breathing bag reaches 13 mm. (one-half inch) water-column height of 
pressure above the minimum pressure required to fill the breathing bag, 
within the breathing resistance requirements for the apparatus.
    (2) The relief valve or system shall be designed to prevent external 
atmospheres from entering the breathing circuit.
    (3) The relief valve or system shall be designed to permit manual 
overriding for test purposes and in the event of a failure in the valve 
or system.