What is the APF for a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)?

The Assigned Protection Factor (APF) for a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) is 10,000. This high level of protection reflects the SCBA's design, which provides a completely independent air supply to the user. It effectively isolates the individual from hazardous airborne contaminants, thereby allowing for a significantly greater level of safety in environments with potentially dangerous exposures. The APF is a numerical value representing the level of protection that the respirator can offer, which in this case denotes that users are protected up to 10,000 times better than if they were not using any respiratory protection at all.

In contrast, the other options represent lower protection levels that are typically associated with other types of respiratory protection that rely on filters or other means of air purification rather than providing a completely independent air environment. This underscores the unique capabilities of SCBAs in scenarios where a high concentration of airborne toxins or contaminants is present.