---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 C.F.R. § 84.84"
title: "42"
number: "84.84"
heading: "Hand-operated valves; minimum requirements."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/42/84.84"
---

# §84.84. Hand-operated valves; minimum requirements.

- (a) Hand-operated valves shall be designed and constructed to prevent removal of the stem from the valve body during normal usage to insure against a sudden release of the full pressure of the container when the valve is opened.
- (b) Valves shall be designed or positioned to prevent accidental opening and closing, and damage from external forces.
- (c) Valves operated during use of the apparatus shall be installed in locations where they can be readily adjusted by the wearer.
- (d) Main-line valves, designed and constructed to conserve gas in the event of a regulator or demand valve failure, shall be provided in addition to gas container valves, except when such failure will not affect performance.
- (e) Hand-operated bypass systems designed and constructed to permit the wearer to breathe and to conserve his gas supply in the event of a regulator or demand valve failure, shall be provided where necessary.
- (f) Valves installed on apparatus shall be clearly distinguishable from one another by sight and touch.
- (g) The bypass system valve control shall be colored red.
- (h) A main-line or bypass valve or system will not be required on apparatus for escape only.
- (i) Safety relief valves or systems, designed and constructed to release excess pressure in the breathing circuit, shall be provided on closed-circuit apparatus, and shall meet the following requirements:
  - (1) The relief valve or system shall operate automatically when the pressure in the breathing circuit on the inhalation side of the breathing bag reaches 13 mm. (one-half inch) water-column height of pressure above the minimum pressure required to fill the breathing bag, within the breathing resistance requirements for the apparatus.
  - (2) The relief valve or system shall be designed to prevent external atmospheres from entering the breathing circuit.
  - (3) The relief valve or system shall be designed to permit manual overriding for test purposes and in the event of a failure in the valve or system.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 29 U.S.C. 651 et seq.; 30 U.S.C. 3, 5, 7, 811, 842(h), 844.

### Source

Source: 60 FR 30355, June 8, 1995, unless otherwise noted.