EEBD Selection Guide: What You Need to Know Before You Buy
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by Tatianna Gerard,
12 min reading time
Industrial workplaces and confined spaces come with unique risks, including toxic fumes, sudden fires, and low-oxygen environments. In an emergency, every breath matters, and the ability to evacuate quickly can mean the difference between safety and disaster. Emergency Escape Breathing Devices (EEBDs) are specifically designed to provide workers with a portable supply of breathable air, allowing them to exit hazardous areas safely.
However, not all EEBDs are created equal. Choosing the right one requires careful consideration of air supply duration, breathing apparatus type, portability, ease of use, and regulatory compliance. Additionally, businesses must train their personnel on the proper use of EEBDs and maintain them regularly to ensure they remain in optimal working condition.
This guide will walk you through the key factors to consider when selecting an EEBD, including the types available, industry standards, training requirements, and maintenance protocols.
Key features to consider when selecting an EEBD
When selecting an EEBD for your organisation, here are the key features to evaluate:
1. Duration of air supply
The most critical factor when selecting an EEBD is its air supply duration—which determines how long the device will provide breathable air during an emergency evacuation.
✅ Escape time considerations:
EEBDs typically provide 10 to 60 minutes of air supply, with 15 minutes being the most common.
The required duration depends on the workplace layout and evacuation distance—longer escape routes or confined spaces may necessitate a higher air duration EEBD.
Facilities with multiple levels, tunnels, or offshore locations may need longer-duration EEBDs to ensure employees can exit safely.
Choosing the right duration:
Conduct a risk assessmentto determine the maximum escape time needed.
Ensure that EEBDs provide sufficient air for the slowest-moving worker (e.g., those with mobility limitations).
An EEBD should be compact, lightweight, and easy to carryduring an emergency.
✅ Key considerations:
Lightweight models (under 5kg) allow workers to evacuate quickly without added strain.
Should be ergonomically designed to ensure comfort when worn.
Storage-friendly- Some models come with portable carrying cases or wall-mounted stations for easy access in emergency exits.
💡 Tip:Test the mobility and ease of carryingbefore finalising an EEBD model—bulky designs can slow down evacuationin critical situations.
4. User-friendliness & quick activation
During an emergency, every second counts, and workers must be able to deploy the EEBD quickly, even under stress.
✅Ease of use considerations:
Automatic activationwhen the mask is pulled from the case.
Simple donning processwith clear instructions and colour-coded indicators.
No complicated adjustments—should be usable without prior specialised training.
💡 Tip:Choose an EEBD that is intuitive and easy to activate, even for untrained personnel or workers in high-stress environments.
5. Visibility & communication features
Some EEBDs come with additional safety enhancements that canimprove rescue operations and situational awarenessduring evacuations.
✅ Key considerations:
High-visibility reflective markings (important inlow-light or smoke-filled environments).
Voice communication options (some models have built-in voice diaphragms to allow emergency communication).
Hood vs. face mask:
Hooded EEBDs offer full-face protection, ideal for toxic gas exposure.
Face mask EEBDs are more compact but may not protect against eye irritation.
💡 Tip:Consider workplace lighting conditions—if visibility is an issue, choosehigh-contrast or glow-in-the-dark EEBD designs.
6. Maintenance & shelf life
✅ Key considerations:
EEBDs should have a minimum shelf life of 5 years, but some models last 10+ yearswith proper storage.
Regular maintenance checksshould be simple, requiring only visual inspections or pressure gauge checks.
Some EEBDs feature self-check indicatorsfor quick status updates.
💡 Tip:Opt for low-maintenance models that still comply with local and international safety regulations.
You should know that there are differences between SCBA and EEBD
You may have come across SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) while researching EEBDs (Emergency Escape Breathing Devices), and if you’re new to the industry, you might be wondering—what’s the difference?
When choosing the rightemergency breathing equipment for your workplace, understanding the distinction between SCBAs and EEBDs is crucial. While both provide breathable air in hazardous environments, they serve very different purposes. Choosing the wrong one can determine whether an evacuation is swift and safe or fraught with danger.
SCBA:
Designed for extended use in hazardous environments, typically providing 30 to 60 minutes of continuous air supply. They feature a full-face mask and a backpack-style compressed air cylinder, making them suitable for firefighters, rescue workers, and personnel operating in confined spaces where prolonged air support is necessary.
EEBD:
EEBDs, on the other hand, are strictly for emergency escape, offering short-term breathable air (typically 10 to 15 minutes) to help workers evacuate quickly. They arecompact, lightweight, and easy to deploy, often featuring a hood or face mask with a small compressed air or oxygen-generating system for rapid donning in smoke-filled, toxic, or oxygen-deficient areas.
Regulatory standards and compliance for EEBDs
When selecting an Emergency Escape Breathing Device (EEBD) for workplace safety, ensuring compliance with global and local regulations is crucial. Regulatory standards set minimum performance, safety, and design requirements to ensure EEBDs are effective in protecting workers during emergencies.
We explore key international and Australian standards governing EEBDs:
Example:A cargo ship must have at least two EEBDs in each accommodation area and additional units near machinery spaces to ensure crew members can escape smoke-filled areas.
Applicable to: Workplaces requiring emergency evacuation plans
What it covers:
Requires workplaces to assess and minimise respiratory hazards.
Mandates that EEBDs be placed in strategic locations to facilitate quick escape.
Provides guidelines for training workers in PPE and respiratory protection usage.
Why it matters:
Ensures Australian businesses comply with workplace safety laws.
Helps employers determine when EEBDs are legally required in their facilities.
Conclusion
Selecting the right Emergency Escape Breathing Device (EEBD) is a critical decision that directly impacts workplace safety, compliance, and emergency preparedness.
By considering key features such as air supply duration, type of breathing apparatus, ease of use, and regulatory compliance, businesses can ensure their employees are well-equipped to handle emergency evacuations safely and efficiently.
✅ Key takeaways:
Choose an EEBD with the right air supply duration based on workplace risk assessments.
Understand the difference between EEBDs and SCBAsto ensure proper equipment selection.
Comply with international and Australian safety standards(SOLAS, ISO 23269, AS/NZS 1716) to meet legal and industry requirements.
Ensure proper training and maintenanceso workers can confidently use EEBDs during emergencies.
Always purchase EEBDs from certified suppliers that meet industry-specific regulations to guarantee performance, durability, and worker protection. Investing in the right safety equipment today can save lives when it matters most.