Grade D Breathing Air Quality

The quality of breathing air follows standards which have been developed by the ANSI / Compressed Gas Association (CGA) G-7.1 – 1989 & adopted by OSHA to the respiratory standard 29 CFR, 1910.134.

Air Quality for Grade D Breathing Must Meet and/or Exceed These Requirements -

• Oxygen 19.5 - 23.5% (20 - 22% for Canada)
• Hydrocarbon - condensed oil - 5 mg per m3 maxi (< 1Mg per m3 for Canada)
• (CO) Carbon Monoxide - 10ppm max (5 ppm for Canada)
• (CO2) Carbon Dioxide - 1000ppm max (500 ppm for Canada)
• Odor - No noticeable smells or tastes
• Water Content
  • High pressure cylinder air needs to have a minimum dew point of -50 deg F (-45.6 degrees C) @ 1 atmosphere, or 14.7 psi.
  • Low pressure breathing air needs to have a minimum dew point of 10 degrees F (5.56 degrees C) below the ambient temp. @ 1 atmosphere, or 14.7 psi. Canada – 5 degrees C below lowest temp., 27 ppm max. water vapor
  • (Canada) Total Volatile Hydrocarbons - 5 ppm max.

Grade E Air Quality Standards

Grade E breathing air quality has been specified by the ANSI / Compressed Gas Association or CGA G-7.1 1997 for compressed air being stored in air cylinders, such as SCBA tanks or in large breathing air cylinders.

Grade E breathing air quality is congruent with Grade-D standards with a few differences

• Oxygen content must be between 20 – 22 percent
• Total Volatile Hydrocarbons 25 ppm max.
• Water Content for High pressure cylinder air must has a minimum dew point of -50 degrees F (-45.6 degrees C) and water vapor content 67 ppm max.
  
  • NFPA 1500 regulations concerning Fire Department usage may be different from some OSHA requirements
• The Canadian standard for cylinder air might vary. Contact the CSA for more details

Air Systems Specifications For Grade D Filtration

• Inline (CO )Carbon Monoxide Monitor. Optional C0 / 02 Monitor
• All portable & fixed units available with a CSA approved, intrinsically safe monitor to accommodate hazardous location work
• 2 yr. warranty for Sensor & CO Monitor
• A Filter Change Indicator is provided for all three filters (the BB15-CO series features an indicator for the 2nd stage only)
• 3 Standard Power Options - Dual 9V Battery, 8 - 16VDC and / or 115V AC, 60 Hertz (50 Hertz Optional)
• A Safety Relief Valve which is set at 125psi for outlet pressure
• Aluminum Block Solid Manifold with a manual drain
• Pressure Gauge 0 - 160psi
• Visual Flow meter Verifies Airflow to the Monitor, flow rate adjustable 50 -100 cc
• Externally Mounted Carbon Monoxide (CO) LED Warning Lights & Audible Alarm
• Remote DC Alarm Jack w/ Cover Cap come standard on the portable units - Optional on the BB15-CO Series. An AC output is supplied on panel mount models
• Max Inlet Pressure of 150psi
• Respirator couplings are provided with a safety lock
• Portable Air Systems Breather Box units have been designed for use in closed position which prevents internal contamination.