What is the purpose of using atmosphere supplying respirators?

The purpose of using atmosphere supplying respirators is to provide breathable air from a source that is independent of the ambient environment. This is particularly important in situations where the air may be hazardous due to smoke, toxic gases, or a lack of oxygen. By supplying air directly from a safe reservoir, these respirators ensure that firefighters can perform their duties without being exposed to harmful atmospheric conditions.

In contrast, other methods of protection, like filtering respirators, rely on the ambient air and may not be suitable in environments where contaminants exceed certain levels. Additionally, while cooling the firefighter or signaling for evacuation are important safety measures during firefighting operations, these functions are not the primary purpose of atmosphere supplying respirators.