Breathing compressed air: how to ensure safety in plants
In many industrial and manufacturing environments, compressed air is used as a source of energy for tools and machinery, but also stored in cylinders for underwater activities or in confined or contaminated environments, and as an alternative to the use of closed-circuit filter systems for spray booth operators. In these cases, the quality of the air fed into respiratory protective equipment is a critical safety factor.
What is breathable compressed air?
Breathing compressed air is a type of air that is treated, stored and distributed through specific facilities, intended for human use. It is not the same as the air that powers air tools: it must meet precise requirements for purity, humidity, and the absence of oils, toxic gases or microorganisms.
It is critical in contexts such as:
- Confined spaces (silos, tanks, reservoirs)
- Painting or sandblasting operations
- Environments contaminated by dust, gases or chemicals
- Diving activities
Reference Standards
The main normative reference is UNI EN 12021, which sets acceptable limits for the following parameters:
- Oxygen (O₂): between 19.5 and 23.5 per cent
- Carbon monoxide (CO): max 15 ppm
- Carbon dioxide (CO₂): max 500 ppm
- Oil vapours: max. 0.5 mg/m³
- Solid particles: absent or filtered out
- Abnormal odours or tastes: absent
These values must be respected to ensure the health of the operator using masks connected to compressed air systems.
How is the Breathing Air Control performed?
Our technical equipment also has a portable sampling system, with which we are able to:
- Analyze the air delivered by the systems or compressors on site;
- Verify compliance with the parameters of the UNI EN 12021 standard;
- Issue a detailed report with the detected values and any nonconformities
- Support the client in corrective actions, if necessary
The system we have allows simultaneous sampling of several parameters, significantly reducing sampling times, benefiting both periodic scheduled checks and urgent checks in risky situations.
Why is it important to measure breathable air?
Neglecting the quality of air delivered in PPE can expose workers to invisible but serious risks: intoxication, hypoxia, sudden illness or chronic exposure to harmful substances.
Periodic testing of breathing air is a legal requirement in many manufacturing settings and is an integral part of the risk assessment required by Leg. 81/08.
What we offer
We are able to offer:
- Professional sampling and verification at your location
- Support in document and regulatory management
- Sampling system rental, including training in use
Do you want to check the quality of compressed air in your company?
Contact us for a quick and certified service or to rent our professional meter.
Guarantee your workers truly safe air!