PDFWAC 296-842-20005
Make sure breathing air and oxygen meet established specifications.
(1) Make sure that all SCBAs and air-line respirators are provided with safe breathing air and oxygen.
(2) Compressed breathing air must meet the following specifications for Grade D air:
(a) Oxygen (volume/volume) within 19.5-23.5%
(b) Hydrocarbon (condensed): NO MORE than five milligrams per cubic meter of air
(c) Carbon monoxide (CO): NO MORE than ten parts per million (ppm)
(d) Carbon dioxide (CO2): NO MORE than 1,000 ppm
(e) No noticeable odor
Reference: | See the American National Standards Institute - Compressed Gas Association Commodity Specification for Air (G-7.1.1989) for more information. Contact your local library to access a copy. |
(3) Make sure the moisture content of the air supplied meets the following:
(a) Air supplied to respirators from cylinders must NOT exceed a dew point of -50°F (or -45.6°C) at 1 atmospheric pressure.
(b) Compressor supplied air must NOT exceed a dew point of 10°F (or 5.56°C) BELOW the use temperature at 1 atmospheric pressure.
(4) Cylinders of breathing air purchased or otherwise obtained from a supplier must have a certificate of analysis from the supplier verifying each cylinder's contents meet Grade D breathing air requirements and dew point standards.
(5) Compressed and liquid oxygen must meet the United States Pharmacopoeia requirements for medical or breathing oxygen.