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Confined Space Ventilation Involving Chemicals
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Can anyone offer any guidance or point me in the right direction on how to calculate ventilation rates when working in confined spaces when using chemicals? e.g. If recoating a tank / vessel or cleaning a tank or vessel with solvent. I am happy with monitoring requirements, but am after information on how to ensure a breathable atmosphere as the calculations we have been using do not seem very accurate and are very cumbersome.
Thanks.
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Rank: Super forum user
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As you are using a solvent, I assume is flammable?
In which case BS60079-10 has various formula used to calculate the air flow required to maintain a safe atmosphere with respect to explosive atmospheres (DSEAR applies if solvent is flammable)
A simple/basic formula is Q = V x A
Q = volumetric flow rate
v = airflow velocity
A = cross sectional area of the opening
ANy calculation will only be an estimate.
You should be looking for 12 air changes per hour.
This may not be possible by natural ventilation if any openings are small or the velocity is small. Forced ventilation and/or breathing apparatus might also be required
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