EEBD Maintenance & Storage Best Practices for Longevity
, by Tatianna Gerard, 9 min reading time
An Emergency Escape Breathing Device (EEBD) is a critical piece of safety equipment designed to provide breathable air in emergency situations. However, simply having an EEBD on hand isn’t enough—proper maintenance and storage are essential to ensure it functions reliably when needed most.
Like any life-saving equipment, EEBDs can degrade over time if they are not regularly inspected, stored correctly, or maintained according to manufacturer and regulatory guidelines. Issues such as air leaks, expired oxygen supply, or damaged components can render an EEBD ineffective in a real emergency, putting users at serious risk.
This guide outlines best practices for EEBD maintenance and storage, helping you extend the lifespan of your devices while ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
EEBD maintenance best practices
Regular inspections: How often and what to check
Routine inspections help identify wear and tear, leaks, or damage before an emergency occurs. EEBDs should be visually inspected at least every 3 to 6 months, or as per manufacturer recommendations.
✅ What to check during an inspection:
- External condition: Look for cracks, dents, or signs of wear on the casing, mask, hood, and breathing apparatus.
- Tamper seals & indicators: Ensure the safety seal is intact, confirming the device hasn’t been used or tampered with.
- Pressure gauge (for compressed air EEBDs): The gauge should be within the manufacturer’s recommended range—any drop in pressure indicates a leak and requires servicing.
- Hood & mask integrity: Check for stiffness, cracks, or discolouration in the hood or face mask, as these can affect the seal and protection.
- Oxygen generation mechanism (for chemical oxygen EEBDs): Make sure the oxygen-generating chemical hasn’t been activated or degraded.
💡 Tip: Keep an inspection logbook to track maintenance dates, findings, and any actions taken. This helps ensure accountability and compliance with safety regulations.
EEBD storage best practices
Proper storage of Emergency Escape Breathing Devices (EEBDs) is just as important as regular maintenance. Even a well-maintained EEBD can become unusable in an emergency if it is not stored correctly. Factors such as temperature, humidity, accessibility, and physical protection all play a role in ensuring that an EEBD remains functional when needed.
Below are the best storage practices to maximize the lifespan and effectiveness of your EEBDs.
Proper storage conditions: Where and how to store EEBDs
To ensure long-term reliability, EEBDs must be stored in climate-controlled and protected locations that prevent exposure to extreme temperatures, moisture, and contaminants.
✅ Ideal storage conditions:
- Temperature-controlled environments – Avoid extreme heat or cold, which can degrade components.
- Dry, well-ventilated spaces – Prevents moisture buildup that could damage filters, hoses, or masks.
- Away from direct sunlight – UV exposure can weaken the materials over time.
- Keep free from dust, chemicals, or corrosive substances – EEBDs should not be exposed to environments that could affect their integrity.
💡 Tip: Store EEBDs in designated safety cabinets or enclosed wall-mounted cases to protect against environmental damage.
Accessibility & emergency readiness
An EEBD is only useful if it is quickly accessible during an emergency. If workers can’t find or access it within seconds, evacuation could be compromised.
✅ Key placement recommendations:
- Store EEBDs in high-risk areas where workers may need to escape quickly (e.g., engine rooms, chemical storage areas, confined spaces).
- Clearly label storage locations with high-visibility signs for quick identification.
- Ensure EEBDs are mounted at an accessible height—not too high or blocked by obstacles.
- If stored in sealed containers or cabinets, use quick-release mechanisms for instant access.
- Follow regulatory placement guidelines (e.g., SOLAS mandates EEBDs in accommodation areas and machinery spaces on ships).
💡 Tip: Conduct routine workplace safety drills to ensure employees know exactly where to find and how to use EEBDs in an emergency.
Transport & handling guidelines
For workplaces where EEBDs need to be moved or transported, proper handling is essential to prevent accidental activation or damage.
✅ Best practices for transporting EEBDs:
- Use shock-resistant carrying cases to protect against impact.
- Avoid dropping, shaking, or exposing EEBDs to vibration, especially for chemical oxygen models.
- Secure EEBDs properly on vehicles, vessels, or confined space entry points to prevent displacement.
- If shipping EEBDs, follow hazardous material transport guidelines for compressed air or chemical oxygen units.
💡 Tip: Label EEBDs as “Emergency Use Only” to prevent unauthorised handling or misuse.
Storage compliance & regulatory guidelines
Ensuring that EEBDs are stored according to industry and regulatory requirements helps maintain compliance and safety readiness.
✅ Regulatory storage guidelines:
- SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea): Requires EEBDs to be stored in designated escape routes, accommodation spaces, and machinery areas on ships.
- ISO 23269-1: Specifies storage conditions for EEBDs used in marine and offshore environments.
- AS/NZS 1716: Covers storage best practices for breathing protection devices in Australian workplaces.
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134: Requires accessible placement of EEBDs in workplaces with toxic gas risks.
💡 Tip: Regularly audit EEBD storage locations to ensure they meet regulatory requirements and workplace safety policies.
Replacing stored EEBDs before expiry
Even if an EEBD is never used, it must be replaced before its expiration date to ensure safety compliance.
✅ Key points for EEBD replacement:
- Track expiration dates in a digital log or inspection checklist.
- Replace EEBDs before they reach the end of their shelf life (typically 10-15 years).
- Discard expired EEBDs following manufacturer and environmental safety disposal guidelines.
💡 Tip: Set up automated alerts in workplace safety management software to remind you of EEBD replacements before expiry.
Record-keeping for EEBD maintenance and storage
Ensuring regulatory compliance and accurate record-keeping is a critical part of maintaining Emergency Escape Breathing Devices (EEBDs). Workplaces must not only store and maintain EEBDs properly but also document all inspections, servicing, and replacements to meet safety standards. Keeping detailed records ensures readiness for audits, reduces the risk of equipment failure, and helps organizations stay compliant with local and international regulations.
Below are the best practices for ensuring compliance and maintaining proper records for EEBDs in the workplace.
Documentation and record-keeping requirements
Maintaining detailed records of EEBD inspections, maintenance, and replacements is essential for safety audits, legal compliance, and operational efficiency.
✅ What should be recorded?
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Inspection & Maintenance Logs:
- Dates of each EEBD inspection.
- Results of visual checks and functionality tests.
- Details of any maintenance performed (repairs, part replacements).
- Name of technician or personnel responsible for inspections.
-
Storage & Compliance Records:
- Exact locations of stored EEBDs within the facility or vessel.
- Proof of compliance with regulatory requirements.
- EEBD storage conditions monitoring (temperature, humidity).
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Expiration & Replacement Tracking:
- Manufacturing and expiration dates of each EEBD.
- Schedule for replacement before expiration.
- Disposal records of expired EEBDs, following environmental and workplace safety guidelines.
💡 Tip: Keep digital logs using safety management software to automate tracking and avoid missing maintenance schedules.
EEBD inspection and maintenance record-keeping system
Organisations should implement a structured system for tracking EEBD inspections and servicing to ensure no device is overlooked.
✅ Best practices for managing EEBD records:
- Use standardised forms or checklists for inspections and servicing.
- Implement barcode or QR code tracking to monitor EEBD status efficiently.
- Store records in both physical and digital formats for quick access during audits.
- Assign a designated safety officer to oversee EEBD maintenance compliance.
💡 Tip: Regularly review past maintenance logs to identify trends, such as frequent faults or early deterioration of EEBDs, to improve future procurement decisions.
Conclusion: Ensuring EEBD readiness through proper maintenance and storage
In an emergency, there’s no room for error—a well-maintained and properly stored EEBD can mean the difference between a safe escape and a life-threatening situation. By following best practices in maintenance, storage, compliance, and training, workplaces can ensure that their EEBDs remain functional, accessible, and ready for use at a moment’s notice. Regular inspections, proper handling, compliance with safety regulations, and even hands-on employee training all play a vital role in keeping personnel protected.
✅ Key takeaways:
- Routine inspections & preventive maintenance extend the lifespan of EEBDs and prevent equipment failure.
- Proper storage conditions prevent degradation and ensure EEBDs remain functional when needed.
- Strict compliance with global & Australian safety regulations keeps workplaces legally protected and prepared for audits.
