Description

Protective Breathing Equipment (PBE) is a piece of emergency equipment required in transport aircraft for flight crew use during firefighting. This article discusses portable PBEs, as distinct from fixed equipment such as the quick-don oxygen masks in flight decks.

PBE normally consists of a fire-resistant hood with a silicone neck seal and a transparent viewing port, along with a chemical oxygen generator or an oxygen cylinder. PBE protects the wearer from smoke and harmful gases while dealing with fire, smoke, or fumes. Regulators set guidelines for the specifications and placement of PBE units in aircraft.