§ Mr. Terry Fieldsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what tests his Department is planning in respect of the new fire and smoke escape masks against existing fire service equipment; what criteria are being used in the tests; who is to fund the tests; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe British Standards Institution is preparing a British standard for respirators for escape from fire. This will constitute a performance specification for such devices and give guidelines on the limited circumstances in which they might be safely used. In order to validate some of the test methods proposed in the draft standard, the BSI technical committee is planning an experimental programme using a range of existing products. The Department of Trade and Industry has offered to make a grant towards the costs of this programme. It would not be appropriate to test the devices against existing self-contained breathing apparatus as used by the fire service.