Direct-Reading Testing Instruments
Electronic gas detectors and color-indicator gas detector tubes are the most common types of instruments used for determining oxygen content, lower explosive limit, and toxic atmospheres.
Purchasing Monitoring Equipment
The typical confined space gas monitors will offer up to four independent sensors for the detection of oxygen, combustible gas, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen sulfide. Before purchasing confined space testing equipment, evaluate the instruments for the following:
- accuracy
- environmental operating range:
- remote sampling capability
- operating temperature
- relative humidity
- intrinsic safety for explosive atmospheres
- specificity for contaminant of interest
- warm-up time
- response time
- ruggedness
- ease of use and maintenance
- vendor support
- sensor and battery life
- data-logging capabilities
IDLH Definition
IDLH stands for "Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health" and refers to the level of airborne contaminants in a confined space that can pose an immediate threat to human life or health. The IDLH level is determined based on the concentration of the contaminant in the air and the duration of exposure that could cause:
- cause irreversible adverse health effects; or
- interfere with self-rescue; or
- cause immediate or delayed threat to life or health.
The IDLH space is a term used to describe any confined space where the level of airborne contaminants exceeds the IDLH level and requires the use of specialized protective equipment and procedures to ensure the safety of workers entering the space.
Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs)
Permissible exposure limits, or PELs, are occupational exposure standards that refer to the maximum concentration of airborne chemicals to which nearly all healthy persons can be exposed day after day without adverse health effects. Workers exposure to concentration of materials in excess of the PEL can result in detrimental health effects, including illness and/or death.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
4-10. A space that can pose an immediate threat to life or health is designated as _____.
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