EEBD Inspection & Replacement: How Often Should You Check Your Device?

An Emergency Escape Breathing Device (EEBD) is a critical life-saving tool designed to provide breathable air during an emergency evacuation. However, having an EEBD on hand isn’t enough—its reliability depends on regular inspections and timely replacements.

Many workplaces overlook routine checks or fail to replace EEBDs before expiry, assuming that an unused device must still be functional. But just like fire extinguishers or emergency alarms, EEBDs require scheduled maintenance to ensure they work when needed most.

So, how often should EEBDs be checked? And when should they be replaced?

This guide provides a structured maintenance timeline, detailing what should be done daily, monthly, quarterly, and annually to keep EEBDs compliant, functional, and ready for emergencies.

EEBD maintenance timeline guide: How often should you check your device?

Following a structured inspection and replacement schedule ensures that the device functions properly when needed and remains compliant with safety regulations.

The frequency of EEBD maintenance depends on industry requirements, manufacturer recommendations, and workplace risk levels. Below is a simple guideline on the detailed timeline outlining when to inspect, what to check, and when replacements should occur.

Daily/Before use: Quick visual inspection (for high-risk environments)

In high-risk workplaces where EEBDs may be exposed to contaminants, movement, or harsh conditions (e.g., confined spaces, chemical plants, offshore rigs), a quick daily check helps ensure the device is always accessible and undamaged.

✅ What to check daily:

• Confirm the EEBD is stored in its designated location and hasn’t been moved.
• Perform a quick visual check for dust buildup, casing damage, or signs of tampering.
• Ensure the storage area remains dry and free from extreme heat, humidity, or contaminants.
• Verify tamper seals are intact, ensuring the device hasn’t been used or compromised.

Monthly: Seal integrity and basic condition check

A monthly inspection helps detect early signs of wear or improper storage conditions before they become serious issues.

✅ What to do every month:

• Inspect the tamper-proof seal and indicator tag to confirm the device is unused and intact.
• Wipe down the exterior housing, mask, or hood to remove any dust, dirt, or contaminants.
• If using a compressed air EEBD, check the pressure gauge to ensure it remains within the safe range.
• Verify that all labels, instructions, and safety warnings are legible and securely attached.

Every 3-6 months: Comprehensive EEBD inspection and storage review

A quarterly to biannual in-depth inspection ensures the EEBD meets manufacturer and regulatory safety standards.

✅ What to do every 3-6 months:

• Perform a full exterior inspection:
  • Look for cracks, leaks, corrosion, or damage to the breathing hose, mask, hood, or air supply system.
  • Check for deterioration in oxygen-generating chemicals (for chemical EEBDs).
• Verify storage conditions:
  • Ensure EEBDs are stored in a cool, dry area and are protected from vibration, direct sunlight, and chemicals.
  • Make sure EEBDs are easily accessible and not obstructed by equipment or storage materials.
• Log findings in a maintenance record and schedule any necessary repairs or replacements.

Annually: Full operational testing and expiry tracking

A yearly compliance assessment helps ensure EEBDs remain functional, compliant, and within their shelf life.

✅ What to do annually:

• Check the EEBD expiration date—schedule replacements for units that will expire in the next 12-18 months.
• Review inspection logs to confirm consistency in past maintenance checks.
• Conduct a partial functional test if permitted by the manufacturer, ensuring activation mechanisms work properly.
• Verify that training records for employees using EEBDs are up to date.
• Assess whether any new workplace safety regulations or industry standards affect your EEBD maintenance plan.

Every 10-15 years: EEBD replacement before expiry

EEBDs have a limited shelf life, typically 10-15 years, after which they must be replaced, regardless of whether they have been used or not.

✅ What to do before an EEBD expires:

• Plan EEBD replacements at least 6-12 months in advance to prevent compliance gaps.
• Dispose of expired EEBDs following environmental and manufacturer safety guidelines.
• Order replacement EEBDs that meet current safety standards and ensure they fit existing storage and evacuation protocols.
• Update inventory logs and maintenance records with the details of newly installed EEBDs.

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When should you replace an EEBD?

Even if an Emergency Escape Breathing Device (EEBD) appears to be in good condition, it must be replaced before it expires or if it fails inspection. EEBDs have a limited lifespan, and their components can degrade over time due to environmental factors, material aging, or improper storage.

Understanding when and why to replace an EEBD is critical for workplace safety and regulatory compliance. Here are the key scenarios that require immediate EEBD replacement.

1. Expiration date reached

Like all safety equipment, EEBDs have a fixed shelf life, usually 10-15 years, depending on the manufacturer and model.

What does it mean when the EEBD reaches expiration:

• The internal oxygen supply (compressed air or chemical oxygen generators) degrades over time, reducing performance.
• Hoses, masks, and hoods may lose elasticity, crack, or become brittle, making them ineffective in an emergency.
• Expired EEBDs no longer meet safety regulations, and using them could lead to non-compliance fines.

Best practice:

• Track expiration dates carefully and schedule replacements at least 6-12 months in advance.
• Use safety management software or maintenance logs to receive automatic replacement alerts.

2. EEBD activation or use

An EEBD is a single-use device—once activated, it cannot be reused. So, this means:

• If an EEBD has been used during an evacuation or training session, it must be replaced immediately.
• If an EEBD has been accidentally activated, even for a few seconds, it is no longer considered reliable.

Best practice:

• Maintain extra EEBD units in inventory to ensure an immediate replacement after activation.
• Log all activations in an EEBD usage report for compliance tracking.

3. Physical damage or deterioration

Even if an EEBD hasn’t been used, it may still need replacement if damaged or stored incorrectly.

Signs an EEBD needs replacement:

• Cracked or brittle hoses – Air leaks or stiff tubing can compromise functionality.
• Discolouration or cloudiness on the hood/mask – Indicates material degradation.
• Pressure loss (for compressed air EEBDs) – A low or empty gauge reading means the device is no longer operational.
• Broken seals or tampered indicators – If the tamper-proof seal is missing or broken, the device’s integrity is compromised.
• Corrosion or rust on storage containers or air cylinders – Metal parts exposed to moisture may weaken and become unsafe.

 Best practice:

• Replace any EEBD that fails an inspection—never assume a faulty device will work in an emergency.
• Ensure proper storage conditions to prevent premature damage (avoid extreme heat, moisture, and chemical exposure).

4. Regulatory compliance updates

Workplace safety standards evolve, and some EEBD models may no longer meet updated regulatory requirements.

When to replace EEBDs for compliance reasons:

• If regulatory agencies issue new safety standards, requiring a different type of EEBD.
• If your current EEBD model is discontinued by the manufacturer and no longer supported.
• If an audit or compliance inspection recommends replacement due to new industry standards.

Best practice:

• Stay updated with regulatory changes from SOLAS, ISO 23269, OSHA, and AS/NZS 1716.
• Conduct periodic compliance reviews to ensure all EEBDs remain certified and legally valid.

5. Workplace risk changes

As workplaces evolve, existing EEBDs may no longer meet operational needs.

Consider replacing EEBDs if:

• Your facility introduces new hazards (e.g., toxic gas exposure, confined space work).
• The evacuation time has increased, requiring an EEBD with a longer duration.
• The current EEBDs are not compatible with updated emergency response procedures.

Best practice:

• Conduct risk assessments annually to determine if existing EEBDs still meet workplace safety needs.

For Australian workplaces, you can follow the guidelines as detailed in Safe Work Australia website.

Don’t wait until it’s too late

Maintaining Emergency Escape Breathing Devices (EEBDs) is not just about occasional checks—it requires a structured schedule to ensure they are always operational, compliant, and ready for emergencies. Following a planned inspection timeline helps workplaces stay ahead of potential failures, ensuring that EEBDs are checked regularly and that minor issues are detected before they become critical problems.

However, inspections alone are not enough—knowing when to replace an EEBD is just as important. An EEBD that has expired, been activated, or shows signs of wear can no longer be relied upon in an emergency. Timely replacements ensure that every breathing device in the workplace meets current safety standards, functions properly, and provides workers with the protection they need.

By implementing a proactive inspection and replacement strategy, businesses can minimise risks, meet compliance requirements, and most importantly, protect employees in life-threatening situations. An EEBD is a safety investment—and maintaining it properly ensures that investment pays off when it’s needed most.

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