42 CFR §84.84
Verified against eCFR.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on eCFR.gov ↗
- (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.