MSA SCBA Air Time Calculator

Select a model, choose a cylinder, enter pressure and RMV to estimate time remaining.

← All brands

Model

Cylinder

Starting pressure (bar)

Reserve pressure (bar)Auto-filled from cylinder default (editable).

RMV (L/min)

Results

Select a model and cylinder to calculate.

MSA SCBA Air Time Calculator (Firefighter Planning Estimate)

On the fireground, air management is a crew safety skill—not a math problem. This MSA-focused SCBA air time calculator helps firefighters estimate time remaining based on cylinder size, usable pressure (after reserve), and RMV. Use it for training, pre-plans, and drills—not as a replacement for your gauge, SOPs, or officer direction.

How firefighters use this MSA air time estimate

Crew briefings: align on conservative RMV and reserve pressure before interior entry.
Training: compare light vs heavy work rates and understand why time drops fast under stress.
Pre-plans: estimate air needs for long travel distance, stairs, basements, and large-area searches.
Rehab discussions: connect workload, pace, and air consumption to realistic rotation cycles.

Choosing RMV for interior operations

RMV (Respiratory Minute Volume) changes with heat, stress, fitness, PPE load, and task intensity. If you don’t know your personal RMV, plan conservatively. Light: ~25–35 L/min, Moderate: ~35–50 L/min, Heavy: ~50–70+ L/min. In high heat or complex buildings, planning with a heavy-work RMV is often safer.

Reserve pressure is your buffer, not “extra air”

Reserve pressure protects egress and problem-solving time: entanglement, disorientation, assisting a partner, or radio delays. Your department policy should set your reserve. This calculator makes the tradeoff visible: a larger reserve reduces interior time, but improves safety margin.

Cylinder notes (water volume vs pressure)

This estimate uses cylinder water volume (L) multiplied by usable pressure (bar) to approximate usable free air in liters. Differences between cylinder types, fill practices, temperature, and small leaks can change real duration—always verify with training data and on-scene gauge readings.

FAQ

No. It is a planning estimate. Real duration depends on workload, stress, mask seal, leaks, temperature, regulator behavior, and crew movement. Always follow SOPs and monitor your gauge.

If you don’t have measured personal RMV, use a conservative heavy-work range (50–70+ L/min) for planning—especially in high heat, long travel distance, or complex layouts.

Because reserve pressure is intentionally protected air for egress and emergencies. It reduces interior working time but increases safety margin.

Notes & safety

This is an estimate based on entered values. Real-world air consumption changes with workload, stress, temperature, mask seal, leaks, and training. Always follow SOPs and monitor your pressure gauge.