Breathing Air Standard - BE EN12021:2014

It is vital that the quality of compressed air used in respiratory applications is in accordance with the required standards to prevent risk to human health and corporate reputation.

The standard applies to self-contained compressed air breathing apparatus used above and under water (SCUBA). It also applies to systems supplying breathing air via an air line, escape devices and systems supplying synthetic air.

Requirements are specified in the standard for permissible levels of oxygen, lubricants, odour, taste, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and water content in compressed breathing air. The levels are summarised in the following table.

The requirements stipulate that there should be no free liquid water visible in the breathing air supply.

Air used in breathing air supplies is also required to have a dewpoint low enough to prevent condensation and freezing. When the breathing air is used or stored in an area where the ambient temperature is known the pressure dewpoint has to be at least 5 Deg C below the envisaged lowest temperature. Generally in cases where the lowest temperature cannot be predicted the pressure dewpoint is specified not to exceed -11 Deg C.

Breathing air is used in a variety of different applications from paint spraying in garages and car plants to scuba diving, fire fighting, medical air, pharmaceutical and many more.  Hi-line have various breathing air filters and purifiers to suit every application.  Call now for a no obligation site survey on 01283 533377.  Full breathing air analysis can be carried out by certified air analysis technicians.