TS 13698

TS 13698 is a standard that sets out the rules for competent services handling air breathing systems and equipment, covering how such services are organised, what technical equipment they should have, personnel qualifications, and the certification framework. Its focus is on the competence of the service provider rather than on the design of the breathing equipment itself.

What “competent service” means in this field

In general technical usage, air breathing systems include equipment that supplies breathable air or supports respiratory protection, often in demanding or safety-sensitive environments. For these products, service quality is more than fault repair: it also involves correct installation, periodic inspection, suitable spare parts, functional verification, and proper record-keeping. The standard addresses the service organisation needed to carry out those activities in a controlled and consistent way.

Why personnel, facilities and certification matter

For this type of equipment, staff training and technical responsibility have a direct effect on maintenance reliability and equipment performance. Likewise, the facility layout and technical resources of the service centre determine whether inspection, testing and repair can be performed under appropriate conditions. TS 13698 provides a framework for evaluating the minimum organisational and technical conditions of these services; it is about service competence, not product construction details.

• Management and organisational structure
• Facility characteristics and working environment
• Technical equipment and service infrastructure
• Personnel qualifications and responsibilities
• Rules related to certification