A bump test is a functional test of a gas monitor/detector. Sensors and alarm indicators are tested, ensuring acceptable performance of sensors and monitor before use.
All sensors are challenged with a known quantity of gas, and instrument response is compared to the actual quantity of gas present.
OSHA says, “The International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA), founded in 1933, is a trade association for manufacturers of protective equipment, including environmental monitoring instruments.
The ISEA recommends, at a minimum, verification of sensor accuracy before each day’s use. The only way to guarantee that an instrument will detect gas accurately and reliably is to test it with a known concentration of gas.
Exposing the instrument to a known concentration of test gas will show whether the sensors respond accurately and whether the instrument alarms function properly.
A bump test verifies calibration by exposing the instrument to a known concentration of test gas.
The instrument reading is compared to the actual quantity of gas present (as indicated on the cylinder). If the instrument’s response is within an acceptable tolerance range of the actual concentration, then its calibration is verified. Sensors, especially LEL (combustible) sensors, may be lose sensitivity to the target gas through poisoning.
Silicone compounds including silanes, halogens, halogenated hydrocarbons, sulfur compounds, as well as acids and bases and various VOCs are known poisons. The only way means of identifying loss of sensor sensitivity is by gas-checking or calibration.
As a result, OSHA and instrument manufacturers/end users require a bump test before every day’s use.
The lower explosive limit (LEL) of a gas or a vapour, is the lowest concentration (in air) that is needed for the gas to ignite and explode.
For example, propane can explode when it reaches 2.1 per cent of the air, by volume. At 2.1%v/v, propane has reached 100% of its lower explosive level. 50% LEL propane is 0.6%v/v.
Most flammable gas detectors measure the percent of LEL present. Some sensors are capable of measuring methane by volume, as well as percent LEL.
There are two explosive limits for any gas or vapor, the lower explosive limit (LEL) and the upper explosive limit (UEL).
At concentrations in air below the LEL there is not enough fuel to continue an explosion; at concentrations above the UEL the fuel has displaced so much air that there is not enough oxygen to begin a reaction.
Concentrations of explosive gases are often given in terms of percent of lower explosive limit (%LEL).
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Generally speaking, a confined space is an enclosed or partially enclosed space that:
Confined spaces can be below or above ground. Confined spaces can be found in almost any workplace.
A confined space, despite its name, is not necessarily small.
Examples of confined spaces include silos, vats, hoppers, utility vaults, tanks, sewers, pipes, access shafts, truck or rail tank cars, aircraft wings. Ditches and trenches may also be a confined space when access or egress is limited.
A photo-ionization detector or PID, uses an electrodeless ultraviolet lamp to ionize chemicals with ionization potentials (I.P) below the range of the lamp and thereby measure their concentrations in parts-per-million (ppm).
A PID is best used to detect low levels (0-2000ppm) of broad band toxics or volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Sample Site Remediation Procedure using PID: Prior to use, the PID was calibrated against a 100 parts per million (ppm) isobutylene span gas in air matrix. The instrument was then zeroed against the ambient air near the work area.
The PID is useful for qualitative field screening of VOCs and provides a basis for comparison between soil samples collected in the field.
Soil samples were placed into sealable plastic bags and allowed to sit in a warm area for volatilization to occur. Each bag was opened and the tip of the PID was inserted into the head space above each sample.
Acetone, Ammonia, Asphalt fumes, Benzene, Butane, Chlorobenzene, Cyclohexane, Diesel Fuel, Ethyl ether, Ethylene glycol, Formaldehyde, Gasoline, Hexane, Iodine, Isobutylene, Jet fuels, kerosene, Methyl Mercaptan, Mineral Spirits, Nitric Oxide, Octane, Pentane, Propylene, Resorcinol, Styrene, Toluene, Turpentine, Vinyl Chloride, etc.
VOCs are Volatile Organic Compounds, organic chemicals that have a high vapor pressure and easily form vapors at normal temperatures and pressure.
The term “organic” indicates that the compounds contain carbon. VOC exposures are often associated with an odour while other times there are no odours. Both can be harmful.
The term is generally applied to organic solvents, certain paint additives, aerosol spray can propellants, fuels (such as gasoline, and kerosene), petroleum distillates, dry cleaning products and many other industrial and consumer products ranging from office supplies to building materials. VOCs are also naturally emitted by a number of plants and trees.
Key signs or symptoms associated with exposure to VOCs include conjunctival irritation, nose and throat discomfort, headache, allergic skin reaction, dyspnea, declines in serum cholinesterase levels, nausea, emesis, epistaxis, fatigue, dizziness.
The ability of organic chemicals to cause health effects varies greatly from those that are highly toxic, to those with no known health effect.
As with other pollutants, the extent and nature of the health effect will depend on many factors including level of exposure and length of time exposed.
Eye and respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, visual disorders, and memory impairment are among the immediate symptoms that some people have experienced soon after exposure to some organics.
Also Read : Hydrogen Sulfide Gas (H2S)
The Threshold Limit Value (TLV(R) ) of a chemical substance establishes the reasonable level to which a worker may be repeatedly exposed, day after day, over a working lifetime without adverse health effects.
TLV(R) is a reserved term of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)(R) . It is however sometimes loosely used to refer to other similar concepts used in occupational health and toxicology. A list of current TLVs(R) and biological exposure indices (BEIs) are published annually by the ACGIH(R) .
A Time Weighted Average (TWA) is a TLV(R) based on a 8-hour workday and a 40-hour workweek. For example the TWA for carbon monoxide is 25 ppm. This means that an average of 25 ppm is considered to be the safe TLV(R) for an 8-hour workday.
A Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL) is a TLV(R) based on a 15 minute average.
A Ceiling is a TLV that should not be exceeded during any part of the work experience.
The Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL or OSHA PEL) is a TLV(R) established by OSHA in the U S for exposure of an employee to a substance or physical agent, and may differ from TLVs(R) in other jurisdictions.
Permissible Exposure Limits are established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). A PEL is usually given as a time-weighted average (TWA), although some are Short Term Exposure Limits (STEL) or Ceiling Limits.
RELs or Recommended Exposure Limits are TLVs(R) established by NIOSH for exposure of an employee to a substance or physical agent.
There are various organizations who make recommendations about exposure levels, or threshold limit values (TLVs) for various chemicals. Among them are:
OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, the US Congress created OSHA as a Federal agency under the Department of Labor that develops and enforces federal standards for health and safety in the work place. The mission of OSHA is “to assure the safety and health of America’s workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health”.
NIOSH National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. A US Federal agency under the Department of Health and Human Services created by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, that trains occupational health and safety professionals, and is responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness.
ACGIH American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. A voluntary membership organization of professional industrial hygiene personnel in governmental or educational institutions. ACGIH develops and publishes recommended occupational exposure limits each year called Threshold Limit Values (TLV’s) for hundreds of chemicals, physical agents, and includes Biological Exposure Indices (BEI).
Different organizations may not agree on the safe level for different chemical exposures. For example, NIOSH establishes a threshold limit of 35 ppm for a time weighted average (TWA) for carbon monoxide for a normal 8-hour workday and a 40-hour workweek. ACGIH recommends a TWA of 25 ppm.
Hydrogen Sulfide is a colorless, transparent gas with a characteristic rotten-egg odor at low concentrations. It is not detectable by odor at high concentrations. As the level of H2S increases, the sense of smell is lost!
Hydrogen Sulfide is a naturally occurring gas mixed with natural gas or dissolved in the oil or brine and released upon exposure to atmospheric conditions.
ACGIH 2008 recommendations are as follows for Threshold Limit Values for H2S:
A Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL) is a TLV(R) based on a 15 minute average.
Short Term Exposure Level – STEL (15 min Average) – 15ppm
Long Term Exposure Level -TWA (8 hr average) – 10ppm
Also Read : Basics of Gas Monitoring
The harmful effects of the gas in the air are affected by exposure time and factors such as age, health and size.
Many of us encounter CO regularly and never know it because it is invisible and odorless.
That is why victims of CO poisoning often have no warning that they are in danger – until it is too late.
Symptoms include headache, nausea, chronic fatigue, confusion, and dizziness. Extreme exposure can even cause a coma or death.
Carbon Monoxide is a product of incomplete (poor) combustion. It is a direct and cumulative poison.
When combined with blood hemoglobin, CO replaces oxygen in the blood until it completely overcomes the body.
Death from CO occurs suddenly. The victim inhaling the toxic concentration of the gas becomes helpless before realizing that the danger exists.
Toxic Gases are measured in ppm (parts per million). 1% volume = 10,000 ppm
Ammonia is widely used as a refrigerant gas, as well as in the fertilizer industry.
A colourless gas with a sharp, penetrating, intensely irritating odour and a colourless liquid under pressure, it is not considered a flammable gas.
However, a large and intense energy source may cause ignition and/or explosion.
Ammonia gas can decompose at high temperatures forming very flammable hydrogen and toxic nitrogen dioxide. It is a COMPRESSED GAS and a confined space explosion and toxicity hazard.
Ammonia gas is a CORROSIVE GAS and may be fatal if inhaled. It may cause lung injury, and the liquefied gas can cause frostbite and corrosive injury to eyes and skin.
Ammonia gas is a severe respiratory tract irritant. Most people can detect it by smell at 0.6 to 53 ppm. Nose and throat irritation may be noticed at concentrations as low as 24 ppm after 2-6 hours exposure.
A 10-minute exposure to 30 ppm may be faintly irritating to some, while 50 ppm may be found to be moderately irritating by most. A 5-minute exposure to 72 or 134 ppm will cause irritation of the nose and throat for most people.
At 500 ppm, immediate and severe irritation of nose, and throat occurs. Brief exposure to concentrations above 1500 ppm can cause pulmonary edema, a potentially fatal accumulation of fluid in the lungs.
The symptoms of pulmonary edema (tightness in the chest and difficulty breathing) may not develop for 1-24 hours after an exposure.
Numerous cases of fatal ammonia exposure have been reported, but actual exposure levels have not been well documented. If the victim survives, complete recovery may occur depending on the extent of injury to the respiratory tract and lungs.
However, long-term respiratory system and lung disorders have been observed following severe short-term exposures to ammonia.
The TWA established by ACGIH for ammonia is 25 ppm. The STEL is 35 ppm.
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Really helpful site for EHS guys.