2010 Air Monitoring

Training

Brought to you by:PFA Hazmat Team

THE ONES YOU NEED TO KNOW:

BATTERY TYPES Lithium-Ion; used by all Rae monitors. (Q-Rae+, Multi-Rae, Toxi-Rae II)

Does not develop “cycle” memory.Do not try to discharge & recharge battery. Average run time > 24 hours.Toxi-Rae II has 2 year life, no charging needed

CHOOSE THE SENSORS YOUR MONITOR IS SET-UP FOR?

COUELH2SNH3

Cl2PH3

SO2

CH4

CO2

HeArLELBrO2

???

FILL IN THE TYPES OF SENSORS THAT THESE HAVE.

Toxi-Rae II: CO.Q-Rae+: O2, LEL, CO, H2S.

BC1 has O2, LEL, CO, HCN

Multi-Rae: O2, LEL, CO, H2S, VOC.Area-Rae: O2, LEL, Cl2, HCN, VOC

THE CALLS IN WHICH YOU SHOULD TAKE YOUR MONITOR WITH YOU?

Its not only the “detector” or “leak call”.Its not always a Hazmat call.

It might be the “routine” medical.

WHEN AND WHERE DO YOU TURN YOUR MONITOR ON?

Warm-up time!Quality of air!Type of call!Temperature of the monitor matters!Weather matters!

“FRESH AIR CAL” OR “ZERO”

They all “ask” you to “Fresh air cal”?

Can Line personnel “zero” all types?Yes…

QRAE+TURN UNIT ONUNIT ASKS “FRESH AIR…”ANSWER ON “Y” & “N”KEYSAFTER MONITORING

PRESS & HOLD “MODE” & “N” KEYS 3 SEC’S.ANSWER “CAL. MONITOR?”WITH “Y”ANSWER “FRESH AIR CAL”WITH “Y”WHEN DONE PRESS “MODE” TWICE.

ALARM SETTINGSAlarm settings are set to notify the user that they are enteringa possibly dangerous atmosphere.

O2: HIGH 23.5%, LOW 19.5%.CO: LOW 35 ppm, HIGH 200 ppm.LEL: LOW 10%, HIGH 20%.H2S: LOW 10 ppm, HIGH 20 ppm.

Low alarms are set at TWA (time weighted avg.) values of CO, H2S. Low O2 & LEL alarms are set below the levels that are dangerous. High alarms are set at levels that are well below the IDLH of the gas. Approximate 16-20 % of IDLH.

If an Alarm then what?THE STEPS THAT YOU SHOULD TAKE IF YOUR MONITOR GOES INTO ALARM? (not “pump”)

a. Return to known fresh air. Interpret readings for DANGER.if it does not clear then:

b. “Fresh air cal” or “zero” unit. if it does not clear then:

c. Turn unit off, then back on.if it does not clear then:

d. “Fresh air cal” or “zero” unit.if it does not clear then:

e. Call for a back-up monitor for verification of readings.f. Send in for repairs.

READINGS & MEANINGSWith the following readings, are there concerns? Why?

READINGS & MEANINGS“O2”

Low but not in alarm; could be contaminated air.High in alarm.Dangerous? Yes.

Low alarm. Dangerous? Yes.

READINGS & MEANINGS cont…

“H2S”Some reading but not alarm. Concern?

High alarm; major concern. Back out and reevaluate.

READINGS & MEANINGS cont…

“HCN”Some reading but not alarm. Concern?Alarms @ 4.7ppm

High alarm; major concern. Back out and reevaluate.

READINGS & MEANINGS cont…

“CO”Low alarm, high values.

Enough to find the source.

READINGS & MEANINGS cont…

“LEL”Low but not in alarm.

High alarm; what is the gas? Do you need to use the conversion chart?

MORE READINGS…Don’t get caught in a IDLH atmosphere. O2

can tell you more than the oxygen levels.

Lets look at this…

RULE OF “5”RULE OF “5”

O2 equals about 20% of the make-up of air..1% = 1,000 ppm

For every .1% drop = 5,000 ppm of something else other than O2.

RULE OF “5” cont…O2 = 19.7%This is a drop of 1.2% of a normal 20.9%

reading.1.2% = 12,000 ppm12,000 x 5 = 60,000 ppm contaminant.

Or about 6% contaminant!

WHAT IS “IDLH”?a. Immediate Danger Low and Highb. Immediate Danger to Life and Healthc. I Don’t Like Hazmatd. I’D Like a Hamburgere. Immediately Dangerous to Life and Hazards

What is the IDLH of Cl2, NH3,SO2, PH3?

WHAT DOES “IDLH” MEAN?Definition:

to ensure that a worker could escape without injury or irreversible health effects from an exposure in the event of the failure of respiratory protection equipment. Up to 30 min exposure. This is not for the worker to stay, but to EXIT IMMEDIATELY.

IDLH’s…H2S – Hydrogen sulfide IDLH = 100 ppmCl2 – Chlorine = 10 ppmSO2 – Sulfur dioxide = 100 ppmNH3 – Ammonia = 300 ppmPH3 – Phosphine = 50 ppmC6H5CH3 – Toluene = 500 ppmS2F10 – Sulfur pentafluoride = 1 ppmCO – Carbon monoxide = 1200 ppm HCN – Hydrogen Cyanide = 50 ppm

CHARGERS:ARE THEY THE SAME?

THE ENDS MAYBE!

NOT ALL ARE CREATED EQUAL

CLOSE UP LOOK

SUCTION UNIT

QRAE MULITRAE

WHO KNOWS

MAINENTANCEGiven this O2 reading, or lack of, what may becausing it?

a. Contaminant in air.b. Equipment malfunction.c. Bad “O2” cell.d. Improper calibration.e. Contaminated monitor

cells.f. Operator error.g. Low battery.

MAINTENANCE cont…When should you send in your monitor for repair?

a. After an “alarm” function. b. Low battery. c. (-) readings.d. Last calibration date > 6 months.e. Won’t turn on.f. No reading for a function.

MAINTENANCE cont…How often are they calibrated?

a. 1 month.b. 2 months.c. 3 months.d. When ever.e. None of the above.

Thanks from your

Hazmat TeamPFA

Engine 10