Note: This OSHA specification is offered as a guide only and is not intended to replace the up to date specification from OSHA

 Please contact OSHA for a complete copy of the current specification

 

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134.D- Respiratory Protection

 D. Air Quality:

 1.  Compressed air, compressed oxygen, liquid air, and liquid oxygen used for respiration shall be of high purity.  Oxygen shall meet the requirements of the United States Pharmacopoeia for medical or breathing oxygen.  Breathing air shall meet at least the requirements of the specification for Grade D breathing air as described in Compressed Gas Association Commodity Specification G-7.101966. Compressed oxygen shall not be used in supplied-air respirators or in open circuit self-contained breathing apparatus that have previously used compressed air.  Oxygen must never be used with air line respirators.

 2.  Breathing air may be supplied to respirators from cylinders or air compressors.

 (a) Cylinders shall be tested and maintained in as prescribed in the Shipping Container Specification Regulations of the        Department of Transportation (49 CFR Part 178)

 (b) The compressor for supplying air shall be equipped with necessary safety and standby devices. A. Breathing air-type compressor shall be used.  Compressor shall be constructed and situated so as to avoid entry of contaminated air into the system and suitable in-line air purifying sorbent beds and filters installed to further assure breathing air quality.  A receiver of sufficient capacity to enable the respirator wearer to escape from a contaminated atmosphere in event of compressor failure, and alarms to indicate compressor failure and overheating shall be installed in the system.  If an oil-lubricated compressor is used, it shall have a high-temperature or carbon monoxide, or both. If only a high temperature alarm is used,  the air from the compressor shall be frequently tested for carbon monoxide to insure that it meets the specifications in sub-paragraph (d)(1) of this section.

 3.  Air line couplings shall be incompatible with outlets for other gas systems to prevent inadvertent servicing of air line respirators with    nonrespirable gases or oxygen.

 4. Breathing gas containers shall be marked in accordance with American National Standard Method of Marking Portable Compressed Gas Containers to Identify the Material contained, Z48.1-1954, Federal Specification BB-A-1034a, June 21, 1968, Air, Compressed for Breathing Purposed; or Interim Federal Specification GG-B-00675b, April 27, 1965, Breathing Apparatus, Self Contained.

 Osha 29 CFR 1910.169- Air Receivers

A.  General Requirements:

1.  Application- This section applies to compressed air receivers, and other equipment used in providing and utilizing compressed air for performing operations such as cleaning, drilling, hoisting, and chipping.  On the other hand, however, this section does  not deal with the special problems created by using compressed air to convey materials nor the problems created when men work in compressed air as in tunnels and caissons.  This section is not intended to apply to compressed air machinery and equipment used on transportation vehicles such as steam railroad cars, electric railway cars, and automotive equipment.

 2. New and existing equipment- All new receivers installed after the effective date of these regulations shall be constructed in accordance with the 1968 edition of the A.S.M.E. Boiler and Pressure Vessel code, section VIII edition 1968.

 B.  Installation and Equipment Requirements:

 1. Installation- Air receivers shall be so installed that all drains, handholes, and manholes therein are easily accessible.  Air receivers should be supported with sufficient clearance to permit a complete external inspection and to avoid corrosion of external surfaces.  Under no circumstances shall an air receiver be buried underground or located in an inaccessible place.  The receiver should be located as close to the compressor of aftercooler as is possible in order to keep the discharge pipe short.

 2.  Drains and Traps- A drain pipe and valve shall be installed at the lowest point of every air receiver to provide for the removal of accumulated oil and water.  Adequate automatic traps may be installed in addition to drain valves.  The drain valve on the air receiver shall be opened and the receiver completely drained frequently and at such intervals as to prevent the accumulation of excessive amounts of liquid in the receiver.

 3.  Gauges and Valves:

 (a)  Every air receiver shall be equipped with an indicating pressure gauge (so located as to be readily visible) and with one or more spring-loaded safety valves.  The total relieving capacity of such safety valves shall be such as to prevent pressure in the receiver from exceeding the maximum allowable working pressure of the receiver by more that 10 percent.

 (b) No valve of any type shall be placed between the air receiver and its safety valve or valves.

 (c) Safety appliances, such as safety valves, indicating devices and controlling devices, shall be constructed, and installed so that they cannot be readily rendered inoperative by any means, including the elements.

(d) All safety valves shall be tested frequently and at regular intervals to determine whether they are in good operating condition.