ELSA
3
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 BREATHABLE
AIR
Air for compressed air breathing
apparatus may be natural or synthetic. A
typical composition of natural air is shown
in
Table 1
.
Element
Mass %
(Dry Air)
Vol. %
(Dry Air)
Oxygen
Nitrogen
Argon
Carbon Dioxide
Hydrogen
Neon
Helium
Krypton
Xenon
23.14
75.52
1.288
0.048
0.000 003
0.001 27
0.000 330
0.000 0732
0.000 039
20.947 6
78.084
0.934
0.031 4
0.000 05
0.001 818
0.000 524
0.000 114
0.000 009
Table 1: Breathable Air
The quality of air used to supply and
charge breathing apparatus must conform
to European Standard EN 12021 : 1999
(
Requirements for Breathable Air
).
Fire risk increases when the oxygen level
rises above the value shown in
Table 1
.
Contaminants must be kept to a
minimum, and must not exceed
permissible exposure levels.
Cylinder water content of air at
atmospheric pressure must not exceed
50 mg/m
3
for 200 bar cylinders or 35
mg/m
3
for 300 bar cylinders.
National regulations for compressed air
breathing apparatus must be observed.
1.2 APPARATUS
SELECTION
When selecting respiratory protective
equipment the following factors must be
considered:
•
Hazards likely to be encountered
and their effect on the wearer.
•
Physical and emotional stress and
their effect on wearer breathing
rate.
•
The type of respiratory protection
required.
In general, constant-flow escape
breathing apparatus is NOT suitable for
use where:
•
There are unknown hazards.
•
There are no planned escape
routes.
•
There are escape routes that
require physical exertion, e.g.:
ladders, tunnels and hatches.
1.3 TRAINING
These instructions cannot replace an
accredited training course run by fully
qualified instructors in the proper and
safe use of
Sabre
breathing apparatus.
Please contact
Training and Technical
Support Services
or your
Sabre
distributor for training course details.
Training and Technical Support
Services:
Scott Health and Safety Limited
Pimbo Road, West Pimbo,
Skelmersdale, Lancashire,
WN8 9RA, England.
Tel: +44 (0) 1695 711711
Fax: +44 (0) 1695 711775
1.4 SERVICING
ELSA
must be serviced by personnel
who have completed a formal training
course and hold a current certificate for
servicing and repairing
Sabre
breathing
apparatus. Details of the servicing
schedule are contained in the
Sabre
ELSA
Service Manual, copies of which
can only be obtained by registered
holders of a current certificate.
Your
Sabre
distributor or
Training and
Technical Support Services
will be
pleased to provide training course details
and quotes for service contracts. Please
see above for contact details.
1.5 WARRANTY
The products manufactured at our
factories in Skelmersdale and Vaasa
carry a warranty of 12 months (unless
stated otherwise) for parts, labour and
return to site. The warranty period runs
from the date of purchase by the end
user.
