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Checklist for Breathing Air Quality and Use
Check that at your facility:
General
- Compressed breathing air meets the requirements for Grade D breathing air.
- Compressed oxygen is not used in respirators that have previously used compressed air.
- Oxygen concentrations greater than 23.5 percent are used only in equipment designed for oxygen service or distribution.
- Breathing air couplings are incompatible with outlets for other gas systems.
- Breathing gas containers are marked with appropriate NIOSH certification.
Breathing Air Cylinders
- Cylinders are tested and maintained according to DOT 49 CFR Part 173 and 178.
- A certificate of analysis for breathing air has been obtained from the supplier.
- Moisture content in the cylinder does not exceed a dew point of –500F at 1 atmosphere pressure.
Compressors
- Are constructed and situated to prevent contaminated air from getting into the system.
- Are set up to minimize the moisture content.
- Are equipped with in-line air purifying sorbent beds and/or filters that are maintained or replaced following manufacturer’s instructions.
- Are tagged with information on the most recent change date of the filter and an authorizing signature.
- Carbon monoxide does not exceed 10ppm in the breathing air from compressors that are not oil-lubricated.
- High-pressure and carbon monoxide alarms are used on oil-lubricated compressors, or that the air is monitored often enough to ensure that carbon monoxide does not exceed 10ppm if only a high-temperature alarm is used.