How long can the air supply in an SCBA last under typical conditions?

The duration of an air supply in a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) is influenced by several factors, including the type of SCBA and the breathing rate of the user during operation. Typically, SCBAs are designed to provide a safe air supply for about 30 to 45 minutes under standard conditions.

Choosing 45 minutes reflects a common operational duration for many SCBA units, providing sufficient time for emergency operations in environments where fresh air is not available. It accommodates the expected usage rates of firefighters and other emergency responders while also factoring in some contingency for increased activity levels that may result in faster air consumption.

Just as a frame of reference, many SCBAs designed for industrial applications can indeed offer around 30 minutes of use, while longer durations (like 60 or 75 minutes) are not standard for typical operations unless specific conditions or requirements dictate otherwise, leading to the selection of those timings as less conventional for general use. Thus, 45 minutes serves as a practical balance for emergency response scenarios.