Emergency Escape Breathing Device (EEBD)
An EEBD is a short-duration, single-use escape set, not a working breathing apparatus - it exists to get one person out of a smoke-logged or gas-filled space within the 10 to 15 minutes its air or oxygen supply lasts.
Read more — Emergency Escape Breathing Device (EEBD) explained ▾
What sets an EEBD apart from SCBA
A self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is duty equipment for a fire party or entry team: it is donned before entering a hazardous space, refilled after use, and rated for real work under load. An Emergency Escape Breathing Device (EEBD) is the opposite case - it is stored where crew already are, at their workstation or cabin, and only comes out when the space they are standing in has already filled with smoke or toxic gas and they need to walk out of it. It is not rated for firefighting, entry work, or rescue of another person; its whole job is a single exit under a hood, one person, one trip, then discarded or sent for recharge.
Main components
Cylinder and regulator
A small compressed-air or compressed-oxygen cylinder, typically good for 10 to 15 minutes at rated flow, feeds a demand or constant-flow regulator. Constant-flow units are simpler and more common at sea because there is nothing for a panicking user to get wrong.
Hood and neck seal
A clear, flame-resistant hood covers the whole head and seals at the neck with an elastic or adjustable collar, so the wearer keeps their own eyesight and does not need a fitted mask seal - useful for crew who normally wear glasses or have facial hair.
Carrying case
A sealed bag or hard case with a tamper-evident indicator, mounted in a bracket at the point of use: engine control room, galley, cabin alleyway, steering gear flat.
Selecting the right unit
Sizing an EEBD comes down to duration and gas type rather than flow capacity, since the wearer is walking, not working:
- Duration - 10-minute units suit short, well-known escape routes; 15-minute units are the safer default where the route to open deck is longer or less direct.
- Air vs. oxygen - compressed-air sets are lighter and need no chemical generation; oxygen sets (chemical or compressed) give longer duration for the same bulk but need different storage and service handling.
- Hood size - a single hood size should fit the full range of crew face shapes; test this at issue, not after an incident.
Regulations and class requirements
SOLAS Ch. II-2 sets the carriage requirement: EEBDs are required in machinery spaces, with at least one per normally attended location and enough units for the crew who could be trapped there, and on passenger ships in additional locations set out in the fire safety systems code. Class surveys check that units are within their service or expiry date, that the tamper seal is intact, and that the bracket location matches the fire control plan. Expired or discharged units get replaced, not serviced back into date on board.
Typical faults
- Broken tamper seal with no log entry - someone has opened or tested the case; the unit must be treated as used and replaced.
- Cylinder pressure below the gauge's green band - a slow leak past the valve seat means the set will run short on duration exactly when it is needed.
- Hood perished or brittle - UV and heat exposure near funnel casings or in engine rooms degrade the plastic faster than the labelled shelf life assumes.
- Bracket location blocked by stores or cabling - a common finding on older ships where the space was re-used after the fire control plan was drawn.
What to look for in a supplier
- Type approval matching the flag state and the fire safety systems code, not just a general CE marking.
- Clear service life and expiry marking on the cylinder itself, not only on the outer case.
- Available spares and exchange cylinders through a port the vessel actually calls at.
- Documented hood material flame resistance, since this is the item most likely to degrade unseen.
Treat 'opened for training' the same as 'used' - log it and swap the unit, because a half-discharged cylinder that looks full on a cursory glance is worse than an obviously empty one.
8 manufacturers · 39 models
Dräger
10- Loss of electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, or other service supply caused by a tripped protection device, leakage, blockage, or upstream fault results in failed starting or loss of function
- Mechanical wear, corrosion, fouling, or contamination of moving and wetted parts causes increased noise, leakage, sticking, vibration, or reduced performance
- Seal, gasket, hose, cable, or connection deterioration from age, heat, vibration, or environmental exposure produces visible leakage, intermittent signals, or loss of pressure
- Sensor, switch, actuator, relay, or control-system faults can cause incorrect indication, nuisance alarms, failed automatic sequences, or loss of remote control
- Incorrect adjustment, assembly, or maintenance can lead to unstable operation, recurrent alarms, or performance that differs from the vessel's normal baseline
- Loss of electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, or other service supply caused by a tripped protection device, leakage, blockage, or upstream fault results in failed starting or loss of function
- Mechanical wear, corrosion, fouling, or contamination of moving and wetted parts causes increased noise, leakage, sticking, vibration, or reduced performance
- Seal, gasket, hose, cable, or connection deterioration from age, heat, vibration, or environmental exposure produces visible leakage, intermittent signals, or loss of pressure
- Sensor, switch, actuator, relay, or control-system faults can cause incorrect indication, nuisance alarms, failed automatic sequences, or loss of remote control
- Incorrect adjustment, assembly, or maintenance can lead to unstable operation, recurrent alarms, or performance that differs from the vessel's normal baseline
- Loss of electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, or other service supply caused by a tripped protection device, leakage, blockage, or upstream fault results in failed starting or loss of function
- Mechanical wear, corrosion, fouling, or contamination of moving and wetted parts causes increased noise, leakage, sticking, vibration, or reduced performance
- Seal, gasket, hose, cable, or connection deterioration from age, heat, vibration, or environmental exposure produces visible leakage, intermittent signals, or loss of pressure
- Sensor, switch, actuator, relay, or control-system faults can cause incorrect indication, nuisance alarms, failed automatic sequences, or loss of remote control
- Incorrect adjustment, assembly, or maintenance can lead to unstable operation, recurrent alarms, or performance that differs from the vessel's normal baseline
- Loss of electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, or other service supply caused by a tripped protection device, leakage, blockage, or upstream fault results in failed starting or loss of function
- Mechanical wear, corrosion, fouling, or contamination of moving and wetted parts causes increased noise, leakage, sticking, vibration, or reduced performance
- Seal, gasket, hose, cable, or connection deterioration from age, heat, vibration, or environmental exposure produces visible leakage, intermittent signals, or loss of pressure
- Sensor, switch, actuator, relay, or control-system faults can cause incorrect indication, nuisance alarms, failed automatic sequences, or loss of remote control
- Incorrect adjustment, assembly, or maintenance can lead to unstable operation, recurrent alarms, or performance that differs from the vessel's normal baseline
- Detector or sensing-element contamination, poisoning or ageing can cause false alarms, slow response or failed functional tests
- Battery, power-supply or control-circuit faults caused by ageing, loose wiring or blown protection can lead to trouble alarms or unavailable safety functions
- Cylinder pressure loss, leakage or damaged valves where stored media is used can leave the equipment outside ready condition and may be found during inspection or weighing checks
- Blocked, corroded or mechanically damaged nozzles, piping, hoses or masks can restrict discharge or breathing flow and show as poor functional test results
- Incorrect isolation, expired service status or disturbed release interlocks after maintenance can prevent normal arming and create panel faults or failed readiness checks
- Detector or sensing-element contamination, poisoning or ageing can cause false alarms, slow response or failed functional tests
- Battery, power-supply or control-circuit faults caused by ageing, loose wiring or blown protection can lead to trouble alarms or unavailable safety functions
- Cylinder pressure loss, leakage or damaged valves where stored media is used can leave the equipment outside ready condition and may be found during inspection or weighing checks
- Blocked, corroded or mechanically damaged nozzles, piping, hoses or masks can restrict discharge or breathing flow and show as poor functional test results
- Incorrect isolation, expired service status or disturbed release interlocks after maintenance can prevent normal arming and create panel faults or failed readiness checks
- Detector or sensing-element contamination, poisoning or ageing can cause false alarms, slow response or failed functional tests
- Battery, power-supply or control-circuit faults caused by ageing, loose wiring or blown protection can lead to trouble alarms or unavailable safety functions
- Cylinder pressure loss, leakage or damaged valves where stored media is used can leave the equipment outside ready condition and may be found during inspection or weighing checks
- Blocked, corroded or mechanically damaged nozzles, piping, hoses or masks can restrict discharge or breathing flow and show as poor functional test results
- Incorrect isolation, expired service status or disturbed release interlocks after maintenance can prevent normal arming and create panel faults or failed readiness checks
- Loss of electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, or other service supply caused by a tripped protection device, leakage, blockage, or upstream fault results in failed starting or loss of function
- Mechanical wear, corrosion, fouling, or contamination of moving and wetted parts causes increased noise, leakage, sticking, vibration, or reduced performance
- Seal, gasket, hose, cable, or connection deterioration from age, heat, vibration, or environmental exposure produces visible leakage, intermittent signals, or loss of pressure
- Sensor, switch, actuator, relay, or control-system faults can cause incorrect indication, nuisance alarms, failed automatic sequences, or loss of remote control
- Incorrect adjustment, assembly, or maintenance can lead to unstable operation, recurrent alarms, or performance that differs from the vessel's normal baseline
- Damaged seals or packaging compromise readiness and are visible during routine inspection
- Expired service life or cylinder condition makes the device unsuitable for use
- Corrosion or impact damage to the container can affect the breathing supply or activation mechanism
- Missing hood, strap or instructions prevents correct deployment in an emergency
- Incorrect stowage or blocked access delays retrieval when needed
- Damaged seals or packaging compromise readiness and are visible during routine inspection
- Expired service life or cylinder condition makes the device unsuitable for use
- Corrosion or impact damage to the container can affect the breathing supply or activation mechanism
- Missing hood, strap or instructions prevents correct deployment in an emergency
- Incorrect stowage or blocked access delays retrieval when needed
MSA Safety
8- Damaged seals or packaging compromise readiness and are visible during routine inspection
- Expired service life or cylinder condition makes the device unsuitable for use
- Corrosion or impact damage to the container can affect the breathing supply or activation mechanism
- Missing hood, strap or instructions prevents correct deployment in an emergency
- Incorrect stowage or blocked access delays retrieval when needed
- Loss of electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, or other service supply caused by a tripped protection device, leakage, blockage, or upstream fault results in failed starting or loss of function
- Mechanical wear, corrosion, fouling, or contamination of moving and wetted parts causes increased noise, leakage, sticking, vibration, or reduced performance
- Seal, gasket, hose, cable, or connection deterioration from age, heat, vibration, or environmental exposure produces visible leakage, intermittent signals, or loss of pressure
- Sensor, switch, actuator, relay, or control-system faults can cause incorrect indication, nuisance alarms, failed automatic sequences, or loss of remote control
- Incorrect adjustment, assembly, or maintenance can lead to unstable operation, recurrent alarms, or performance that differs from the vessel's normal baseline
- Detector or sensing-element contamination, poisoning or ageing can cause false alarms, slow response or failed functional tests
- Battery, power-supply or control-circuit faults caused by ageing, loose wiring or blown protection can lead to trouble alarms or unavailable safety functions
- Cylinder pressure loss, leakage or damaged valves where stored media is used can leave the equipment outside ready condition and may be found during inspection or weighing checks
- Blocked, corroded or mechanically damaged nozzles, piping, hoses or masks can restrict discharge or breathing flow and show as poor functional test results
- Incorrect isolation, expired service status or disturbed release interlocks after maintenance can prevent normal arming and create panel faults or failed readiness checks
- Detector or sensing-element contamination, poisoning or ageing can cause false alarms, slow response or failed functional tests
- Battery, power-supply or control-circuit faults caused by ageing, loose wiring or blown protection can lead to trouble alarms or unavailable safety functions
- Cylinder pressure loss, leakage or damaged valves where stored media is used can leave the equipment outside ready condition and may be found during inspection or weighing checks
- Blocked, corroded or mechanically damaged nozzles, piping, hoses or masks can restrict discharge or breathing flow and show as poor functional test results
- Incorrect isolation, expired service status or disturbed release interlocks after maintenance can prevent normal arming and create panel faults or failed readiness checks
- Cylinder pressure loss or valve leakage, typically indicated by reduced indicated pressure or failed leak check
- Facepiece/hood seal deterioration, typically indicated by poor face seal, leakage or failed fit/function check
- Demand valve or regulator contamination/wear, typically indicated by hard breathing, free flow or unstable pressure
- Hose or connector damage, typically indicated by air leakage or restricted supply
- Warning device or gauge fault, typically indicated by incorrect pressure indication or absent low-pressure alarm
- Loss of air supply caused by leakage, incomplete charging or damaged hose connection, resulting in insufficient pressure or airflow
- Face seal, hood or demand-valve leakage caused by damaged seals, contamination or wear, resulting in poor fit or abnormal air consumption
- Pressure reducer, gauge or warning-device fault caused by mechanical or electrical damage, resulting in unstable indication or missing low-air warning
- Hose, harness or connector deterioration caused by age, heat or mechanical damage, resulting in leakage, poor fit or unreliable operation
- Storage or charging deficiency caused by poor maintenance or inaccessible stowage, resulting in a unit that is not ready when required
- Cylinder, air-line or connection leakage reduces available air and is identified during pre-use checks
- Regulator or demand-valve malfunction causes difficult breathing, free flow or unstable mask pressure
- Face-mask seal damage causes inward leakage during the user seal check
- Harness, buckle, hose or hood damage makes the unit difficult or unsafe to use
- Pressure indication, low-air alarm or supply-control faults prevent reliable awareness of remaining air
- Cylinder pressure loss or valve leakage, typically indicated by reduced indicated pressure or failed leak check
- Facepiece/hood seal deterioration, typically indicated by poor face seal, leakage or failed fit/function check
- Demand valve or regulator contamination/wear, typically indicated by hard breathing, free flow or unstable pressure
- Hose or connector damage, typically indicated by air leakage or restricted supply
- Warning device or gauge fault, typically indicated by incorrect pressure indication or absent low-pressure alarm
Scott Safety / 3M
6- Cylinder pressure loss or valve leakage, typically indicated by reduced indicated pressure or failed leak check
- Facepiece/hood seal deterioration, typically indicated by poor face seal, leakage or failed fit/function check
- Demand valve or regulator contamination/wear, typically indicated by hard breathing, free flow or unstable pressure
- Hose or connector damage, typically indicated by air leakage or restricted supply
- Warning device or gauge fault, typically indicated by incorrect pressure indication or absent low-pressure alarm
- Detector or sensing-element contamination, poisoning or ageing can cause false alarms, slow response or failed functional tests
- Battery, power-supply or control-circuit faults caused by ageing, loose wiring or blown protection can lead to trouble alarms or unavailable safety functions
- Cylinder pressure loss, leakage or damaged valves where stored media is used can leave the equipment outside ready condition and may be found during inspection or weighing checks
- Blocked, corroded or mechanically damaged nozzles, piping, hoses or masks can restrict discharge or breathing flow and show as poor functional test results
- Incorrect isolation, expired service status or disturbed release interlocks after maintenance can prevent normal arming and create panel faults or failed readiness checks
- Material, hull or container deterioration caused by weather, ultraviolet exposure, impact or aging, resulting in cracks, tears, corrosion or visible deformation
- Release, securing or launching-component wear caused by drills, corrosion or misalignment, resulting in stiff operation, abnormal play or failed readiness checks
- Battery, light or communication-equipment failure caused by aging, charging faults or water ingress, resulting in failed self-test or missing emergency indication
- Engine, steering or inflation-system failure where applicable caused by fuel, mechanical, pneumatic or seal problems, resulting in inability to maneuver or deploy the appliance
- Incorrect stowage, identification or service status caused by inventory or maintenance errors, resulting in delayed use or an appliance that is not ready
- Loss of air supply caused by leakage, incomplete charging or damaged hose connection, resulting in insufficient pressure or airflow
- Face seal, hood or demand-valve leakage caused by damaged seals, contamination or wear, resulting in poor fit or abnormal air consumption
- Pressure reducer, gauge or warning-device fault caused by mechanical or electrical damage, resulting in unstable indication or missing low-air warning
- Hose, harness or connector deterioration caused by age, heat or mechanical damage, resulting in leakage, poor fit or unreliable operation
- Storage or charging deficiency caused by poor maintenance or inaccessible stowage, resulting in a unit that is not ready when required
- Cylinder, air-line or connection leakage reduces available air and is identified during pre-use checks
- Regulator or demand-valve malfunction causes difficult breathing, free flow or unstable mask pressure
- Face-mask seal damage causes inward leakage during the user seal check
- Harness, buckle, hose or hood damage makes the unit difficult or unsafe to use
- Pressure indication, low-air alarm or supply-control faults prevent reliable awareness of remaining air
Honeywell Safety
4- Cylinder, air-line or connection leakage reduces available air and is identified during pre-use checks
- Regulator or demand-valve malfunction causes difficult breathing, free flow or unstable mask pressure
- Face-mask seal damage causes inward leakage during the user seal check
- Harness, buckle, hose or hood damage makes the unit difficult or unsafe to use
- Pressure indication, low-air alarm or supply-control faults prevent reliable awareness of remaining air
- Cylinder, air-line or connection leakage reduces available air and is identified during pre-use checks
- Regulator or demand-valve malfunction causes difficult breathing, free flow or unstable mask pressure
- Face-mask seal damage causes inward leakage during the user seal check
- Harness, buckle, hose or hood damage makes the unit difficult or unsafe to use
- Pressure indication, low-air alarm or supply-control faults prevent reliable awareness of remaining air
- Material, hull or container deterioration caused by weather, ultraviolet exposure, impact or aging, resulting in cracks, tears, corrosion or visible deformation
- Release, securing or launching-component wear caused by drills, corrosion or misalignment, resulting in stiff operation, abnormal play or failed readiness checks
- Battery, light or communication-equipment failure caused by aging, charging faults or water ingress, resulting in failed self-test or missing emergency indication
- Engine, steering or inflation-system failure where applicable caused by fuel, mechanical, pneumatic or seal problems, resulting in inability to maneuver or deploy the appliance
- Incorrect stowage, identification or service status caused by inventory or maintenance errors, resulting in delayed use or an appliance that is not ready
- Material, hull or container deterioration caused by weather, ultraviolet exposure, impact or aging, resulting in cracks, tears, corrosion or visible deformation
- Release, securing or launching-component wear caused by drills, corrosion or misalignment, resulting in stiff operation, abnormal play or failed readiness checks
- Battery, light or communication-equipment failure caused by aging, charging faults or water ingress, resulting in failed self-test or missing emergency indication
- Engine, steering or inflation-system failure where applicable caused by fuel, mechanical, pneumatic or seal problems, resulting in inability to maneuver or deploy the appliance
- Incorrect stowage, identification or service status caused by inventory or maintenance errors, resulting in delayed use or an appliance that is not ready
Ocenco
4- Damaged seals or packaging compromise readiness and are visible during routine inspection
- Expired service life or cylinder condition makes the device unsuitable for use
- Corrosion or impact damage to the container can affect the breathing supply or activation mechanism
- Missing hood, strap or instructions prevents correct deployment in an emergency
- Incorrect stowage or blocked access delays retrieval when needed
- Damaged seals or packaging compromise readiness and are visible during routine inspection
- Expired service life or cylinder condition makes the device unsuitable for use
- Corrosion or impact damage to the container can affect the breathing supply or activation mechanism
- Missing hood, strap or instructions prevents correct deployment in an emergency
- Incorrect stowage or blocked access delays retrieval when needed
- Damaged seals or packaging compromise readiness and are visible during routine inspection
- Expired service life or cylinder condition makes the device unsuitable for use
- Corrosion or impact damage to the container can affect the breathing supply or activation mechanism
- Missing hood, strap or instructions prevents correct deployment in an emergency
- Incorrect stowage or blocked access delays retrieval when needed
- Damaged seals or packaging compromise readiness and are visible during routine inspection
- Expired service life or cylinder condition makes the device unsuitable for use
- Corrosion or impact damage to the container can affect the breathing supply or activation mechanism
- Missing hood, strap or instructions prevents correct deployment in an emergency
- Incorrect stowage or blocked access delays retrieval when needed
Essex Industries
3- Cylinder, air-line or connection leakage reduces available air and is identified during pre-use checks
- Regulator or demand-valve malfunction causes difficult breathing, free flow or unstable mask pressure
- Face-mask seal damage causes inward leakage during the user seal check
- Harness, buckle, hose or hood damage makes the unit difficult or unsafe to use
- Pressure indication, low-air alarm or supply-control faults prevent reliable awareness of remaining air
- Cylinder, air-line or connection leakage reduces available air and is identified during pre-use checks
- Regulator or demand-valve malfunction causes difficult breathing, free flow or unstable mask pressure
- Face-mask seal damage causes inward leakage during the user seal check
- Harness, buckle, hose or hood damage makes the unit difficult or unsafe to use
- Pressure indication, low-air alarm or supply-control faults prevent reliable awareness of remaining air
- Cylinder, air-line or connection leakage reduces available air and is identified during pre-use checks
- Regulator or demand-valve malfunction causes difficult breathing, free flow or unstable mask pressure
- Face-mask seal damage causes inward leakage during the user seal check
- Harness, buckle, hose or hood damage makes the unit difficult or unsafe to use
- Pressure indication, low-air alarm or supply-control faults prevent reliable awareness of remaining air
Interspiro
3- Cylinder pressure loss or valve leakage, typically indicated by reduced indicated pressure or failed leak check
- Facepiece/hood seal deterioration, typically indicated by poor face seal, leakage or failed fit/function check
- Demand valve or regulator contamination/wear, typically indicated by hard breathing, free flow or unstable pressure
- Hose or connector damage, typically indicated by air leakage or restricted supply
- Warning device or gauge fault, typically indicated by incorrect pressure indication or absent low-pressure alarm
- Cylinder pressure loss or valve leakage, typically indicated by reduced indicated pressure or failed leak check
- Facepiece/hood seal deterioration, typically indicated by poor face seal, leakage or failed fit/function check
- Demand valve or regulator contamination/wear, typically indicated by hard breathing, free flow or unstable pressure
- Hose or connector damage, typically indicated by air leakage or restricted supply
- Warning device or gauge fault, typically indicated by incorrect pressure indication or absent low-pressure alarm
- Cylinder pressure loss or valve leakage, typically indicated by reduced indicated pressure or failed leak check
- Facepiece/hood seal deterioration, typically indicated by poor face seal, leakage or failed fit/function check
- Demand valve or regulator contamination/wear, typically indicated by hard breathing, free flow or unstable pressure
- Hose or connector damage, typically indicated by air leakage or restricted supply
- Warning device or gauge fault, typically indicated by incorrect pressure indication or absent low-pressure alarm