Confined Space Breathing Apparatus Checks before entry
Before entering a confined space, your breathing apparatus must be fully functional and correctly fitted. A pre-use check is carried out immediately prior to entry to confirm the set will perform as expected when it matters most.
This short video walks through the essential steps required to verify face fit, airflow, cylinder pressure, and overall system integrity.
Watch the full video:
A pre-use check ensures your breathing apparatus will provide adequate protection throughout the task. Confined spaces present unpredictable risks, and relying on unchecked respiratory equipment can lead to serious injury or fatal exposure.
These checks confirm:
- The face mask is sealing correctly
- The system is delivering positive pressure
- The cylinder contains sufficient air for the task
- No leaks or faults are present before entry
Skipping or rushing this process compromises safety before work even begins.
Practical Steps / Key Takeaways
- Remove your helmet and confirm a proper face seal
- Carry out a negative pressure face fit check
- Open the cylinder fully and confirm pressure is at least 80%
- Calculate turnaround pressure (50% + 30 bar)
- Don the face mask and test breathing function
- Check for positive pressure and airflow
- Listen for leaks and readjust if required
- Don the helmet and confirm no entanglement issues
Only once all checks are complete should entry be permitted.
We teach confined space teams that pre-use checks are not a formality, they are a critical control measure. Through our training and consultancy services, we help teams build consistent checking routines that reduce risk, improve confidence, and support safe decision-making on site.
Confined space safety starts before entry.
Need help with your confined space safety?
Our training and consultancy services can help you plan, train, and operate safely.
Top class training in our custom designed and structured training centre:
Explore Confined Space Training ↗︎
On-site, our trainers deliver courses in the exact environment your team works in:
Looking after your kit
Even the best kit needs regular inspection and servicing. we have a team of fully trained PPE inspectors who can take the worry out of the process. Our servicing team are fully certified to carry out the servicing requirements for many of the leading rescue devices currently on the market.
