Hi Barb,

First =96 the term is SCBA not SCUBA. The SCUBA is for underwater use. When working for Cal/OSHA I encountered a person trying to don the SCBA as an SCUBA. Fortunately, he was inside a filtered operations room. This was in a huge gaseous phenol release so he didn't get hurt. He obviously was not trained in the proper use of the SCBA and the company was hit with a serious citation for it.

The SCBA is mandatory to enter an oxygen deficient room unless a handheld gas monitor is used to verify that actual oxygen concentration is not hazardous. Pay attention to the local state OHSA regulations on oxygen deficient atmospheres so you don't get into trouble. They are actually good common sense regulations to prevent deaths.

The oxygen room monitor needs to be installed according to regulations with the readout on the outside of the room or building. The sensor must be recalibrated often due to the deterioration of the sensor. It will need to be re-spanned at least each 6 months to assure a good response to low levels of oxygen.

At the lab where I was the EHS officer, we had a large liquid nitrogen leak in a room full of dewars containing biological specimens. The alarm went off and we double checked the atmosphere by slightly opening the door and putting the handheld monitor inside. The readings were very low % and would have been deadly if entered. Especially dangerous is a liquid nitrogen spill/leak due to its density which will pool on the floor and easily rise to the nose level with asphyxiating consequences.

Training for the SCBA is regulated by OSHA and needs to be followed closely. If no person has accreditation for training on SCBAs, then a professional trainer will be necessary.

End result: Be very careful when dealing with asphyxiating gasses for they can and will bite you.

Ken Smith (former CIH, now retired)

-----Original Message-----
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] On Behalf Of Barbara Wiehe
Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 10:23 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Oxygen Sensor

Thank you for your responses.

Neal, fair enough put the red flags away...I was thinking scuba but it isn't going to fly with anyone here to go to that extent.

I appreciate getting feedback from your perspectives rather than push back from others.


Barb

On Wed, Aug 29, 2012 at 12:45 PM, Neal Langerman <neal**At_Symbol_Here**chemical-safety.com> wrote:

Several thing =96 first and foremost The only protection for an oxygen deficient environment is a supplied air source. Thus, a question regarding "respirator fit" raises a flag.

Having supervised the installation of many oxygen sensors in locations where a deficiency can occur, here are some thoughts

The sensor should be located IN the area to monitor and installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. Pay particular attention to the vertical height instruction.

The sensor is low voltage, but the installation still must comply with the NEC.

The alarm should be in the monitored area and repeated just outside the affected zone and also at a central monitoring location.

Provide regular maintenance as required by the manufacturer. While using a two gas calibration to set the span works, some sensors are calibrated with ambient oxygen, set to 20.8%. It is very useful to periodically test the sensor with a low oxygen source.

Most electrochemical oxygen sensors require replacement every two years. In the very dry climate of southern California, we find that they need more frequent replacement.

False alarms from an oxygen sensor should be very infrequent. If false alarms occur with an annoying frequency, work with the manufacturer to fix it =96 false alarms lead to the "chicken little" problem.

Your responders to an alarm, be it maintenance or other, should bring a working 4-gas portable with them to provide a back-up to the installed system.

Finally, installed sensors are really great, but they require active PM and some understanding of their limitations.

Neal

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From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] On Behalf Of bjwiehe**At_Symbol_Here**OWU.EDU
Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 7:01 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Oxygen Sensor

We are installing an Oxygen Sensor in a room using Liquid Nitrogen. Question, why do you mount it in the room where loss of Oxygen would be present? What type of training should the technician have overseeing the monitor?(ie respirator fit)

Barb Wiehe

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Barbara Wiehe

Ohio Wesleyan University
Environmental Health and Safety / Greenhouse Manager
740-368-3502