Final answer:
The emergency escape breathing device (EEBD) supplies breathable air for a maximum period of 15 minutes, which is crucial for quick escapes during emergencies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The emergency escape breathing device (EEBD) is designed to provide breathable air in emergency situations such as fires or toxic gas leaks. The maximum period of time for which an EEBD supplies breathable air is typically 15 minutes. This short duration is intended to enable a quick escape to a safe area. Breathing devices like the EEBD are critical because humans cannot survive without oxygen for more than a few minutes, as oxygen is necessary for the oxidative stages of cellular respiration, which produce the energy required by our cells in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).