F2235 Dive Check

Training Guide

Content

1. Standards, Legislation & Guidelines

2. Test Criteria

3. Typical causes of a BA system failure

4. Practical Testing Regimes

5. Using the F2235 Dive Check

HSG53 - Respiratory Protective Equipment at Work

Appendix 3: Quality of Air for BA Periodic testing of air quality

4. The purpose of periodic tests of air quality is to ensure that the control measures you have put in place are delivering air quality as indicated in Table 13. The frequency of such tests should be based on a risk assessment, but the COSHH ACOP1 recommends that periodic tests should be carried out at least every three months, and more often when the quality of air cannot be assured to these levels. Testing for these components may be carried out using any appropriate method, eg:

simple colour change tubes;on-line gas testers;sample collection for laboratory analysis elsewhere.

5. The supplier of your compressor or BA should be able to advise you on the best method for you. Records of air quality tests must be kept for five years.

Legislation

• COSHH

Guidelines

• HSG 53

Standards

EN529

EN12021 (formerly BS4275:1997)

COSHH L5

(Fifth Edition 2005)

EXTRACTS FROM CODE OF PRACTICE RELATING TO RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (RPE)

 Frequency of examination and tests

  The quality of the air supplied to breathing apparatus should be tested at least once every 3 months and more frequently when the quality of the air supplied cannot be assured. Where the air supply is from mobile compressors, the employer should ensure that wherever a compressor is located, the quality of air it supplies is not compromised by nearby contaminants. In every case, the air supplied to a breathing apparatus should meet the quality standard recommended in clause C.1.2 of BS: 4275: 1997 Guide to implementing an effective respiratory protective device programme. 19 However, BS: 4275 recommends that all contaminant levels should be below one tenth of the OELs. As it is not reasonably practicable to test for all contaminants, the risk assessment made under regulation 6 should guide what other contaminants will require testing.

A.4.5 Compressed air for breathing apparatus from EN529

A.4.5 Compressed air for breathing apparatus (EN12021)

A.4.5.1 General

A compressor system will have produced the compressed air supplied to a breathing apparatus. The compressor system may be used for filling individual high-pressure pressure vessels or those on a mobile trolley or to supply air direct to breathing apparatus and other air-tools used in the workplace.

Contaminants can mix in compressed air at various stages of its production and supply. Any presence of contaminants in acceptable quantities will render the air unsuitable as “breathable air” and can threaten the health and safety of the respiratory protective device wearer. For this reason quality assured compressed air should be supplied to a breathing apparatus. EN12021 stipulates the minimum quality standards for breathable compressed air and includes the levels for oxygen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, lubricants, water and other types of contaminant and odour.

A.4.5.2.3 Testing and inspection

The volume flow and quality of the supplied air should be thoroughly tested as specified by a competent person after risk assessment.

Permission to reproduce extracts of EN529 is granted by BSI. British Standards can be obtained from BSI Customer Services, 389 Chiswick High Road, London W4 4AL. Tel: +44 (0)20 8996 9001. email: cservices@bsi-global.com

What are the test criteria?

BS:EN12021 Requirements BS:8478 : 2011

Cylinders ≤ 200Bar

Cylinders > 200 bar

HP Charging Compressors

Oxygen Compatible

AirNitrox

Water ≤ 50mg/m³ ≤ 35mg/m³ ≤ 25mg/m³ ≤ 25mg/m³ ≤ 25mg/m³

Oil ≤ 0.5mg/m³ ≤ 0.5mg/m³ ≤ 0.5mg/m³ ≤ 0.1mg/m³ ≤ 0.1mg/m³

CO ≤ 3ppm ≤ 3ppm ≤ 3 ppm ≤ 3ppm ≤ 3ppm

CO₂ ≤ 500ppm ≤ 500ppm ≤ 500ppm ≤ 500ppm ≤ 500ppm

F2235 Divecheck

Function – To check breathing-air quality and test for the presence of Oil, Water, CO and CO2 in accordance with the limits stipulated in BS EN 12021:1999

Method – Using Draeger chemical reagent tubes and the oil impactor the unit delivers a measured flow of air to each port to test for each contaminant.

Typical causes of a BA system failure?

Fault - Airborne contamination / vehicle exhaust fumes present at compressor location.Typical Result - BA Filters have a finite capacity. Pollution levels above rated intake capacity can result in excess levels of CO and CO2.

Note: Contaminants when breathed at elevated pressure can have a much greater effect on users than at atmospheric pressures. Therefore the limits within EN12021 are only 1/10 of WELs.

Typical causes of a BA system failure?

Fault - Malfunctioning Compressor - Damaged suction valves

Typical Result - Can increase compressor temperature and cause oil to breakdown, increasing CO / CO2 levels.

Typical causes of a BA system failure?

Fault - High Operational TemperatureTypical Result - BA Filtration has finite life and is only fully rated at 21°C. Higher temperatures can significantly reduce filter life.

Typical causes of a BA system failure?

Fault - Blocked or Dirty Air Coolers

Typical Result - Can result in high temperature and water carry over and reduced filter life.

Practical Testing Regimes

COSHH - 3 Monthly Testing Interval

JSP319 - Test Records should be retained for 6 years Practical Testing Suggestion•Test at fit of new filters

•Test at 50% of filters life based on hour meter usage

•Subsequent tests dependant on usage

Operating Instructions

1. Connect the dive regulator to the cylinder to be tested.

IMPORTANT: Ensure the dive regulator selected does not use the lightweight nylon braided polyurethane lined hose on the BCD inflator line as this hose type can affect the water readings. Check that 1st stage pressure does not exceed 10 bar and BCD line has suitable connector to fit the AP200 connecter on the DiveCheck.

Operating Instructions

2. Ensure the F2235 pressure regulator is turned fully anti-clockwise.

Note: (Pull the regulator adjusting knob fully out prior to adjusting)

Operating Instructions

3. Attach the inlet connector to a BCD inflator hose, with the ¼ turn inlet valve off, open the cylinder valve, then open the ¼ turn inlet valve.

Operating Instructions4. Adjust the pressure regulator until the gauge is set to 2 bar and purge for 5 minutes.

During the purge use the water and oil ports to carry out an odour test.

Operating Instructions5. When the purge is complete adjust the pressure regulator anti-clockwise until the gauge ready 0.9 bar then turn off the ¼ turn inlet valve.

6. Dräger Tubes and Impactor to be used

with the F2235 Divecheck

Dräger Tubes

Carbon Monoxide Tube

Part no 6728511

Dräger Tubes

Carbon Dioxide Tube

Part no 6728521

Dräger Tubes

Water Tube

Part no 6728531

Dräger Oil Impactor

Part no 8103530

Preparing the tubes

7. Cut both ends of the detector tubes using the Draeger tube tip cutter.

Operating Instructions8. Insert the tubes into the relevant ports, tighten gland nut until finger-tight tension. Always check to ensure the tube is inserted correctly with arrows pointing outwards.

9. Insert the Impactor into the oil port, do not remove the sticker until the end of test.

Operating Instructions

10. Simultaneously, open the ¼ turn inlet valve and start the stopwatch. Re-adjust the pressure regulator to 0.9 bar if required.

Operating Instructions

11. Remove the CO2 tube after 5 minutes, leave the unit running with the remaining tubes and impactor fitted. Check the pressure gauge and readjust to 0.9 bar if required.

Operating Instructions

12. Remove the oil impactor after 6 minutes, leave the unit running with the remaining tubes fitted. Check the pressure gauge and readjust to 0.9 bar if required.

Operating Instructions

13. Remove the CO tube after 10 minutes, leave the unit running with just the water tube fitted. Check the pressure gauge and readjust to 0.9 bar if required.

Operating Instructions

14. After 12 minutes 30 seconds close the ¼ turn inlet valve and remove the water tube.

Operating Instructions

15. Turn off the air cylinder valve, open the ¼ turn valve ensuring all air has been relieved then rotate pressure regulator fully anti-clockwise and close ¼ turn valve before disconnecting BCD inlet connector.

Recording the results16. Read and record the results off the tubes.

BS:EN12021 Requirements

Cylinders ≤ 200Bar

Cylinders > 200 bar

HP Charging Compressors

Water ≤ 50mg/m³ ≤ 35mg/m³ ≤ 25mg/m³

Oil ≤ 0.5mg/m³ ≤ 0.5mg/m³ ≤ 0.5mg/m³

CO ≤ 3ppm ≤ 3ppm ≤ 3 ppm

CO₂ ≤ 500ppm ≤ 500ppm ≤ 500ppm

CO Water Carbon DioxideHow to read the Dräger tubes

Example Readings

Estimate the average stain length and round down to next scale point.

25ppm

(divide tube

reading by 2)

50mg/m3

1000ppm

How to read the Oil Impactor

• The Impactor contains 3 lines of nozzles.• Each line represents a different concentration of oil: 0.1mg/m3, 0.5mg/m3, 1.0 mg/m3

• When the dots of oil form into a continuous line then the oil concentration exceeds 0.1, 0.5 or 1.0 mg/m3

• Remove protective sticker at the end of the test

Sample Impactor Test Results

Pass (BS EN12021) No oil aerosol detected – less than 0.05 mg/m3

Sample Impactor Test Results

Pass (BS EN12021) Just less than 0.1 mg/m3

Sample Impactor Test Results

Pass (BS E12021) Greater than 0.1 but less than 0.5mg/m3

Sample Impactor Test Results

• Fail (BS EN12021) Greater then 0.5 but less than 1.0mg/m3

Sample Impactor Test Results

• Fail (BS EN12021) Greater than 1.0mg/m3

Operating Instructions

14. Record the results using the record pad.

Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Tel: 01473 746400

Fax: 01473 746123 enquires@factair.co.uk

49 Boss Hall Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 5BN