Which equipment should responders wear when fighting a fire involving beryllium?

When responding to a fire involving beryllium, it is crucial for responders to wear full protective equipment and a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Beryllium can be hazardous when it is combusted, as it can produce toxic fumes and particulates that pose significant respiratory hazards.

Wearing full protective equipment ensures that personnel are shielded from not only heat and flames but also from exposure to potentially harmful beryllium compounds. The SCBA is essential because it provides a safe breathing environment, allowing responders to operate in conditions where toxic gases might be present.

While positive pressure respirators are also effective for respiratory protection, they might not provide the complete protection from heat and other environmental hazards as effectively as the combination of full protective gear with an SCBA. Chemical protective suits are generally more suited for chemical spills rather than fire situations, where the primary concern is heat and airborne toxins. Radiation-blocking protective equipment is not relevant in this scenario since beryllium does not present radiation hazards.

Therefore, the combination of full protective equipment and an SCBA is the most effective and comprehensive choice for safeguarding responders in a fire involving beryllium.