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Breathing Air Filtration & Monitoring Buying Guide
Abrasive blasting can be hazardous due to dust and contaminants. Two essential safety tools are breathing air filters and carbon monoxide monitors. Breathing air filters are a component in providing clean Grade D breathing air, removing oils, moisture, dust and odors, for operators. Carbon monoxide monitors detect CO, a colorless and odorless gas produced during blasting, helping prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Check out BlastOne’s full inventory of breathing air filters, carbon monoxide monitors, and breather boxes.
Breathing Air Canister Filters
Name
Models
Max Flow Rate
Pressure Relief Valve
Housing
Weight
Filter Cartridges and Recommended Replacement Intervals (See Note Below)
All units supplied with Hansen (Industrial Interchange) fittings unless otherwise specified at time of order
Clemco in-helmet CMS-4 unit does not use any fittings.
Alarm is activated when gas threshold is hit or when the unit has low battery.
Low airflow also alarms unless otherwise noted.
These units monitor, but do not filter carbon monoxide or any other gases. If alarm sounds, operator must move to a safe area immediately.
These units do not filter particulates, odors, oils, etc.
For extra protection against oil or other contamination of the sensors, a supplemental canister or other pre-filter may be added in-line before the gas monitor.
1910.134(i)(1)(ii) Compressed breathing air shall meet at least the requirements for Grade D breathing air described in ANSI/Compressed Gas Association Commodity Specification for Air, G 7.1 1989, to include:
Oxygen content (v/v) of 19.5 23.5%
As ambient air is drawn into compressor at 20.8% oxygen (atmospheric levels), this requirement is easily complied with. Oxygen depleted work areas are not common, so compressor should always be situated in an uncontaminated atmosphere. There are oxygen sensors avail able for many systems, to alarm if levels are lower or higher than required
Hydrocarbon (condensed) content of 5 milligrams per cubic meter of air or less;
All breathing air filters supplied by BlastOne have Activated Alumina to absorb hydrocarbons (oil mist) however a mist eliminator should be used if higher than normal levels. There currently is no system that actually monitors the level of hydrocarbons, an air test is the only way to verify.
Carbon monoxide (CO) content of 10 ppm or less;
Breathing air systems should constantly monitor for carbon monoxide to ensure workers do not continue to breathe air that exceeds 10ppm. BlastOne also provides systems with a catalytic converter to eliminate carbon monoxide from the breathing air.
Carbon dioxide content of 1,000 ppm or less; and
Both carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are clear, odorless and asphyxiating gases in sufficient concentrations. Both are the by-product of combustion. The two methods whereby these gases can contaminate a breathing air system are:
a) Compressor inlet/air intake contamination, e.g. exhaust from an engine operating near (or upwind from) compressor.
b) Compressor overheating resulting in combustion of lubricating oils. Over temperature shutdown sensors are common on large compressors and are mandatory if being used for breathing air.
Since Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Dioxide generally occur together, it is considered normal to just monitor the most toxic element which is carbon monoxide. The systems constantly monitor carbon monoxide levels and alert the operator if levels exceed the alarm threshold. There currently is no system that actually monitors the level of carbon dioxide, an air test is the only way to verify.
Lack of noticeable odor
This is obviously subjective. All breathing air filters supplied by BlastOne have specially formulated “Activated Carbon” for odor removal. If odor is present (or becomes apparent in use), it is likely the filter element requires replacement. If replacement seems premature, the source air and/or work practices may need evaluating. Gross contamination (excessive oil from compressor) can lead to premature element failure.
OSHA 1910.134(i) CONTINUED
1910.134(i)(5) The employer shall ensure that compressors used to supply breathing air to respirators are constructed and situated so as to:
1910.134(i)(5)(i) Prevent entry of contaminated air into the air-supply system
ALWAYS locate compressors to prevent contaminated air (such as CO from engine exhaust) from entering the air intake system. A suitable in-line air purifying sorbent bed and filter or CO Monitor should be installed to assure breathing air quality.
Compressors should always be situated in an uncontaminated and precautions put in place to avoid external contamination, i.e. distance compressor from motor vehicles using traffic controls, e.g. safety fence
Should the compressor location or environment significantly change, the air quality should be retested. The compressor filters and oil levels should be checked daily and changed during regular scheduled maintenance or when contaminated.
1910.134(i)(5)(ii) Minimize moisture content so that the dew point at 1 atmosphere pressure is 10 degrees F (5.56 deg.C) below the ambient temperature;
All breathing air filters supplied by BlastOne have Activated Alumina to absorb moisture, however monitoring the dewpoint would need to take place by a separate compressed air meter. Defelsko have such gages available
1910.134(i)(5)(iii) Have suitable in-line air-purifying sorbent beds and filters to further ensure breathing air quality. Sorbent beds and filters shall be maintained and replaced or refurbished periodically following the manufacturer's instructions.
All breathing air filters supplied by BlastOne have sorbent beds and filters as required.
1910.134(i)(6) For compressors that are not oil-lubricated, the employer shall ensure that carbon monoxide levels in the breathing air do not exceed 10 ppm.
This applies to free air pumps, it is still a requirement to measure for carbon monoxide each time the unit is moved to a new location. Test kits are available from BlastOne to sample the breathing air and provide test results. It should be noted that Free Air Pumps still don’t guarantee grade D breathing air, since it is still subject to the atmospheric air being drawn into the unit, only a test ensure you will fully comply.
1910.134(i)(7) For oil-lubricated compressors, the employer shall use a high-temperature or carbon monoxide alarm, or both, to monitor carbon monoxide levels. If only high-temperature alarms are used, the air supply shall be monitored at intervals sufficient to prevent carbon monoxide in the breathing air from exceeding 10 ppm.
Most compressors have high temperature alarms, however this still requires regular monitoring/testing for carbon monoxide in the air. BlastOne recommends always monitoring your breathing air for carbon monoxide to ensure worker safety.
1910.134(i)(8) The employer shall ensure that breathing air couplings are incompatible with outlets for nonrespirable worksite air or other gas systems. No asphyxiating substance shall be introduced into breathing air lines.
BlastOne supply unique breathing air fittings to ensure you can never cross-connect a breathing air hose with a regular air hose
Can I use any type of hose with my filtration system?
ALWAYS use a NIOSH-approved breathing air hose to connect an appropriate air filter to the respirator. Use of a nonapproved air hose can subject the operator to illness caused by the release of chemical agents used in the manufacture of non-approved breathing air hose.
ALWAYS check to make sure air filter and respirator system hoses are NOT CONNECTED to in-plant lines that contain nitrogen, acetylene or any other non-breathable gas. NEVER use oxygen with air line respirators. NEVER modify air line connections to accommodate air filter/respirator breathing hose WITHOUT FIRST testing content of the air line. FAILURE TO TEST THE AIR LINE MAY RESULT IN DEATH TO THE RESPIRATOR USER.
How often should I inspect the air filtration system?
Inspect the air control orifice DAILY for cleanliness. NEVER use welding hose in place of twinline control hose. The internal diameter and rubber composition are UNSAFE for remote control use.
What’s the maximum working pressure?
UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, maximum working pressure of blast machines and related components MUST NOT exceed National Board approved 125 psig (8.5 BAR).
Can I just weld the unit to my piece of equipment?
NEVER weld on blast machine. Welding may affect dimensional integrity of steel wall and WILL VOID National Board approval.
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