Industrial Safety Professionals, Inc. (ISPI) performed Grade D breathing air monitoring for bus and ambulance manufacturing facilities on November 3 and 4, 2015, respectively. The monitoring was performed in accordance with Cal/OSHA, Title 8, §5144. The purpose of the monitoring was to document the quality of air supplied to the paint booth respirators from the air compressors and met the Grade D breathing air requirements. In addition to monitoring, ISPI performed a visual inspection of the area to identify any potential issues that may need to be addressed.
Compressed air for breathing can be used in a variety of applications including automotive paint booths, welding and sandblasting, and in various industrial facilities such as aircraft manufacturing facilities, chemical plants, and general industry. Compressed breathing air shall meet at least the requirements for Grade D breathing air described in ANSI/Compressed Gas Association Commodity Specification for Air, G-7.1-1989, to include:
- Oxygen content (v/v) of 19.5-23.5%
- Hydrocarbon (condensed) content of 5 milligrams per cubic meter of air or less
- Carbon monoxide (CO) content of 10 ppm or less
- Carbon dioxide content of 1,000 ppm or less
- Lack of noticeable odor
The following photographs show some of the equipment and steps taken to monitor for Grade
D breathing air at the referenced vehicle manufacturing facilities:
Compressed Air Monitoring Equipment developed to capture a non-pressurized sample of compressed breathing air.
Flow Section Gage; pressure steady 4-6 PSI; air flows for 5 minutes to dry out the flow section.
Moisture Stain Tube to sample the moisture in the pump.
