PDFWAC 296-307-61605
Make sure breathing air and oxygen meet established specifications.
(1) The employer must make sure that all SCBAs and air-line respirators are provided with safe breathing air and oxygen according to the following:
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. |
(2) The employer must 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.
(3) The employer must make sure cylinders obtained from a supplier of breathing air must have a certificate of analysis that verifies each cylinder's contents meet Grade D and dew point standards.
(4) The employer must make sure compressed and liquid oxygen meet the United States Pharmacopoeia requirements for medical or breathing oxygen.