Experts in Oxygen Enrichment and Oxygen Deficiency Gas Detection

About Oxygen Enrichment Detection and Oxygen Deficiency Monitoring

Monitoring for oxygen deficiency is key to ensuring plant safety in enclosed areas where the use of Cryogenic or bottled gases such as for welding, bottling, blast freezing, bottling operations, entertainment, environmental chambers and a myriad of everyday processes, including instrument shelters. Injury and even death because of low oxygen levels is the most common cause of industrial accidents year after year. Observing proper fixed and portable monitoring procedures as prescribed by law will remove much of the potential for such accidents.

Oxygen Deficiency

Humans normally breathe air that is 20.9% oxygen by volume. OSHA considers 19.5% to be a warning or evacuation condition if only one alarm is available. When a second alarm is available, it may be set at 18% and evacuation is required at this level. The 18% alarm is normally compensated for altitude so at elevations above sea level this would be increased somewhat because the air is thinner.

Caution: If you suspect an Oxygen deficiency hazard in an area, never enter even with a portable monitor as it is extremely dangerous. Treat the space as permit required confined space and work in a team, sampling the space for Oxygen deficiency and other hazards, prior to entry.

Oxygen Enrichment

Oxygen enrichment is relatively rare, but constitutes an extreme fire hazard. It usually results from improper handling of Liquid Oxygen or Oxygen mixtures with other gases above atmospheric concentration of 20.9% by volume. 23.5% Oxygen by volume is considered enriched. At this point fire dynamics change and objects that are barely combustible burn violently and Items that burn easily literally explode.

Choosing the Correct Oxygen Monitoring Equipment

Human senses are unable to detect Oxygen enriched or deficient environments, therefore proper monitoring is critical. Sensidyne manufactures continuous monitoring equipment for Oxygen deficiency in general purpose and hazardous (classified) areas. Selecting the correct Oxygen monitoring system with local annunciation and supervisory notification is required for compliance. For assistance selecting the proper equipment for your situation, please contact our Application Engineering team.