MSA mask issue

[Firetacoma1]

Last night during a chimney fire 2 members noticed that while not clipped into their regulators they were unable to inhale ambient air through their masks. Anyone ever had this problem? Could it be due to the cold weather? These have been super reliable packs and masks, and this is really the first issue we've had.

[ffbaer]

You may want to check the inlet valve disk, we have had this problem the disk stick to the inlet and makes it hard to take a breath untill it brakes free.

[Firetacoma1]

I just called our rep and he said the same thing... to push the disc back with a pencil. Any clue what causes this disc to stick?

[ffbaer]

We have found that it happens after cleaning and you let water set in the inlet valve. We turn the mask so the inlet valve is up and let it dry that way so the water will drain away from the inlet valve.

[numbir39]

It could be due to the cold weather, what temperature was it outside, you are in colorado right? A little water and a little cold can cause it to happen.

[SSHANK42]

I would also suspect the inlet valve. Like it was mentioned it is probably from cleaning, but I would suspect that the mask is not rinsed with enough clean water to flush out the cleaning solution. This has happened to me a couple of time and one big fast inhale would pop the seal loose.