Confined Space Air Monitoring.pptVIP

Confined Space Air Monitoring Confined Space Air Monitoring Reasons for Monitoring Confined Space Air Monitoring Reasons for Monitoring Confined Space Air Monitoring Contaminant categories Confined Space Air Monitoring Categories of Atmospheric Hazards / Contaminants Oxygen Deficiency Oxygen Enrichment Combustible Gases / Vapors Toxic Gases / Vapors Composition of Fresh Air 78 % Nitrogen 20.9 % Oxygen 1.1 % All other gases Water vapor CO2 Argon Other trace gases Confined Space Air Monitoring Oxygen Deficiency Confined Space Air Monitoring Oxygen Enriched Confined Space Air Monitoring Combustion requires …. Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) Minimum concentration of gas in air to sustain combustion provided there is a source of ignition Upper Explosive Limit (UEL) Concentration of gas in air which is too rich to sustain combustion Flammability Range The range between the L.E.L. and the U.E.L. of a combustible gas or vapor Concentrations within the flammable range will burn or explode if a source of ignition is present 10% of the LEL and above is considered a hazardous atmosphere in confined spaces Combustible gases and vapors can be measured using a Combustible Gas Indicator (CGI) Combustible Gas / Vapor Concentrations Common Flammable Ranges There are three major classes of toxic gases and vapors: Irritants Asphyxiants Systemic Poisons Toxic gases vapors come from: Microbial action on material in CS Products or chemicals stored in CS Areas adjacent to Confined Space Work being performed in CS Irritants cause an inflammatory reaction on immediate, prolonged, or repeated contact with eyes, skin, or respiratory system Examples include: Nitrogen oxides Sulfur oxides Asphyxiants cause unconsciousness or death by suffocation (lack of oxygen) Two Types: Simple Asphyxiants Chemical Asphyxiants Simple asphyxiants are substances which induce a deficiency in the supply of oxygen to the body tissue by displacing oxygen in the air Examples include: Nitrogen Carbon dioxide Argon Me