Breathing Air

Here are some key points regarding compressed air used for breathing:

Air purification:
The compressed air must be free of contaminants such as oil, water, dust, and chemical vapors. Various filtration systems are used to purify the air to the necessary standards. This may include mechanical filters, activated charcoal, and dryers that remove water vapor and reduce humidity.

Standards and regulations:
There are specific international and national standards defining the requirements for breathing air quality. In Europe, EN 12021 is one such standard, specifying limit values for the content of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oil, and water vapor in compressed air.

Pressure and storage:
The compressed air is typically compressed to high pressures (often up to 200 bar or more) to effectively maximize the amount of air that can be stored and transported in cylinders. These cylinders must be robust and safety tested to withstand the high pressure.

Maintenance and safety procedures:
Maintenance of equipment that uses compressed air for breathing is crucial to ensure continued safety and performance. Regular inspections and maintenance of both the air supply systems and the breathing apparatus itself are necessary.

Applications:
In addition to use in firefighting and diving, compressed air is also used in industries to protect workers from harmful atmospheres, which may occur in chemical plants, painting work, and places with high particle concentration.

When compressed air is used as breathing air, it is essential that all safety measures are observed to ensure that the air is safe to breathe under all working conditions.