Written Scheme of Examination
The law requires that the owner of any compressed air system of more than 250 bar-litres (i.e. a 25 litre receiver at 10 bar) is required to have a Written Scheme of Examination.
To obtain such a Written Scheme through AddAir involves three stages.
The first involves a site visit to establish the nature of the system, with the owner decide the scope of the Written Scheme and prepare a list of items requiring rectification.
Next is the rectification which does not have to be done by AddAir, but it is in the owners interest to ensure that the person who does the work has sufficient experience working with compressed air systems and has the correct liability insurance cover.
Once the rectifications have been done, the third stage is to complete the Written Scheme and carry out the first inspection.
Air Quality Testing
Air Quality Testing
Compressed air is used in a wide variety of manufacturing and commercial applications; in some industries the quality of the air is extremely important.
What are the legal requirements around breathing air testing?
EN12021:2014 is now the standard to indicate contaminant levels for breathing air both in the UK and in the EU expressed as “in any event all contaminants shall be kept to as low a level as possible and shall be below the national exposure limit“. The following guide may help employers to know the specific regulations as they apply to a variety of industry requirements:
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (SI 1999/3242) – requires a safe working environment by the application of risk assessment procedures. The Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/1144) Schedule − refers to the design and manufacturer of respiratory protective equipment. The Work in Compressed Air Regulations 1996 (SI 1996/1656) − these regulations deal with those aspects where the user is operating in a pressure higher than atmospheric, e.g. tunnelling. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/2677 − also as amended by S.I. 2004 No. 3386 in respect of the term "workplace exposure limit") − these regulations identify the maximum exposure limits for a defined list of contaminants which may be present in a workplace atmosphere.
The exposure limits are now identified by the single term "workplace exposure limit (WEL)" which encompasses both long- and short-term exposure. Related to COSHH is a reference listing published annually under the identity EH40 "Occupational Exposure Limits". The listings are in addition to those in COSHH. Where any doubt exists as to the limits for any contaminant then this should be used as a start point.
The importance of breathing air quality testing
It is a legal requirement for all relevant UK employers to conduct breathing air quality tests to ensure the safety of their employees. In the UK, EN12021 advises that samples should be taken on a regular basis depending on usage, or whenever there is a change in the system (i.e. Compressor service or filter change or pipework alteration).
In the HSE guideline document ‘Respiratory Equipment at Work (HSG53)’ it states the frequency of such tests should be based on a risk assessment which should take place at least every three months and more often when the quality of air cannot be assured to these levels.
For mobile breathing-air compressors; COSHH strongly recommends that for mobile compressors the air quality is tested whenever the unit is first moved into a new position or if prevailing wind conditions change.
Why?
Compressed air typically has three main contaminants which are water, particles and oil.
Contaminants originate from three general sources:
Contaminants in the surrounding area of the compressor are drawn into the air system through the intake of the air compressor. Ingested contaminants appear in the form of water vapor, hydrocarbon vapours, natural particles and airborne particulates.
As result of the mechanical compression process, additional impurities may be introduced into the air system. Generated contaminants include compressor lubricant, wear particles and vaporized lubricant.
A compressed air system will contain in-built contamination. Piping distribution and air storage tanks, more prevalent in older systems, will have contaminant in the form of rust, pipe scale, mineral deposits and bacteria.
Leak Detection
Reducing air leaks is the single most important energy saving measure you can make. An ongoing leak test and repair programme will save you money.
Just one 3mm hole could cost over £600 a year in wasted energy.
AddAir can give you a leak survey to help you to find your leaks leading to repairing the leaks in your system saving you energy and money!
The survey will not just inform you of where and what is leaking to highlighting the savings to be made with a plan to remedy your system.
Launched at this year’s Air-Tech exhibition, the campaign has an ambitious target to save over 411 thousand tonnes of CO2, the equivalent of taking 317 thousand cars off the road.
AddAir along with BCAS are highlighting the wasted energy for more information click here
Please leave your details below for someone to give you a call for a site survey to save you money.
Nitrogen Testing
With our sophisticated oxygen analyzer AddAir can test the purity of the nitrogen your generator is producing. The oxygen analyzer measures how much oxygen (parts per million) is in your nitrogen. The correct purity of nitrogen is essential for every application.
AddAir can also undertake a complete leak detection of your nitrogen system to ensure its energy efficency.