Welcome Guest! The IOSH forums are a free resource to both members and non-members. Login or register to use them

Postings made by forum users are personal opinions. IOSH is not responsible for the content or accuracy of any of the information contained in forum postings. Please carefully consider any advice you receive.

Notification

Icon
Error
Compressed Air Breathing Air – Testing and inspection query
Options
Go to last post Go to first unread
Previous Topic Next Topic
Roz  
#1 Posted : 23 January 2015 11:04:17(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Roz
BSEN 529 papa A.4.5.2.3. Testing and inspection advises that the ‘volumn flow and quality of the supplied air should be thoroughly tested at intervals as specified by a competent person after risk assessment’.

As a comparison other legislation may ask for first and last points in a system (Legionella) or building call points in rotation (fire), can anyone advise of any regulation or guidance document which advises anything different to the 3 month requirement to test every outlet within a closed system?

Many thanks.
Back to top
chris.packham  
#2 Posted : 23 January 2015 15:09:01(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
chris.packham
Ask yourself: "What am I checking for?"
I am assuming that this is apparatus that is fed from an airline. Different procedure will apply if the air is supplied from a portable tank.
Presumably you need to confirm that the user is receiving sufficient air that they can breath normally and that this air is not contaminated.
In most cases the air is compressed to a higher pressure, then the pressure is reduced by a pressure reducing valve to what is needed within the breathing apparatus. If the air has come from a normally lubricated compressor it will need to have been filtered to remove any oil carry over and also any moisture that is in the compressed air.
I would simply check that there is adequate air flow through the pressure reducing valve (visual inspection and observation of air flow should be sufficient) and check that the filter and moisture trap are in good condition.
Chris
Any questions feel free to PM me.
Back to top
toe  
#3 Posted : 24 January 2015 14:07:29(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
toe
I remember some time ago our spray painters were complaining of the taste they were receiving from their air fed masks on occasions.

I was not until a few months later that I realised that the sometimes vehicles were left with their engines running and their exhaust fumes near to the inlet for the air compressor. This was infrequent and resulted on fumes being stored in the air receiver, hence the reason why it was difficult to trace, the air quality test came up OK. It was only by chance one day that I seen the a vehicle parked.
Back to top
Users browsing this topic
Guest
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.

Powered by YAF.NET | YAF.NET © 2003-2025, Yet Another Forum.NET