CSA Z180.1-13

The testing package for CSA Z180.1-13 assesses the purity of compressed breathing air supplied to service outlets, and for breathing air systems required to produce, store and distibute such air.  This standard package is applicable to compressed breathing air and compressed breathing systems used for supplied-air respirators, supplied air suits, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) (open circuit) and other applications where the requirements to reference the compressed breathing air purity requirements are necessary.

A sample of compressed breathing air produced and delivered by a compressed breathing air system must be collected and analyzed every six months (or as specified by the authority having jurisdiction)

Additional re-testing is recommended when any major overhaul or repair is completed on the system.

Analyses and value requirements are as follows:

• Oxygen level: 20–22% by volume
• Nitrogen and Rare Gases levels: 78–80% by volume
• Carbon monoxide level: not more than 5 ppm
• Carbon dioxide level: not more than 600 ppm
• Methane level: not more than 10 ppm
• Volatile non-methane hydrocarbons levels: not more than 5 ppm (as methane equivalent)
• Volatile halogenated hydrocarbons levels: not more than 5 ppm
• Oil, particulates and condensates: not more than 1 mg/m³
• For low pressure systems (< 2216 psig ), the pressure dew point is to be at least 5°C under the lowest temperature to which any part of the pipeline or respirator is exposed to at any time of year.
• For high pressure systems (equal to or greater than 2216 psig) the atmospheric dew point must not exceed – 53°C or water vapour level not more than 27 ppm (by volume) and the pressure dew point is to be at least 5°C under the lowest anticipated operating temperature at any time of year.
• Odour: No pronounced odour

TESTS: