CHART Perma-Cyl 230 User manual

Part Number 10961999 Rev. G
© 2018 Chart Inc.
Designed and Built by:
Chart Inc.
1300 Airport Dr.
Ball Ground, GA 30107 USA
[phone]
Product Manual
Perma-Cyl®MicroBulk Storage Systems
230/265/450/700/1000/1500/2000/3000

iii
Product Manual - Perma-Cyl®MicroBulk Storage Systems
Contents
Revision Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .v
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Product Benets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Product Advantages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Product Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Acronyms / Abbreviations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Safety Bulletin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Oxygen Decient Atmospheres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Oxygen Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Oxygen Enriched Atmospheres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Nitrogen and Argon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Carbon Dioxide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Introduction/Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Initial Inspection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Primary Plumbing Circuits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Fill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Pressure Build . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Economizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Liquid Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Gas Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Safety Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Vent/Full Trycock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Other Piping Circuits and Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Phase Lines and Liquid Level Gauges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Four-Way Valve. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2000 and 3000 VHP Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2000 and 3000 VHP Primary Plumbing Circuits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Installation Common Codes and Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Conducting a Site Evaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Installation Tools and Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Supplies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Additional Required Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Indoor Installations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Internally Sited / Filled Indoors / Pipe Out Safeties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Wall Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Installation of Hoses and Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Line Connection to Fill Box Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Bolting to Floor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Outdoor Installations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Externally Sited / Gas Use Indoors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Outdoor Installation Schematic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

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Table of Contents Product Manual - Perma-Cyl®MicroBulk Storage Systems
First Fill/Purge Procedure, ASME: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Purging the Tank Prior to Filling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
First Fill Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Filling the Tank After the Cool Down Process is Complete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Filling Procedures, DOT: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Filling Weight Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Specications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Illustrations & Parts Listing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Perma-Cyl 230/265 LCCM Schematics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Parts List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Perma-Cyl 230/265 DOT LCCM Round Base Top View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Perma-Cyl 230/265 DOT LCCM Square Base Top View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Congure to Order. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Conguration 01 - Perma-Cyl 230/450/700/1000 MP/HP, 450/1000 VHP, 1500 HP . . . . . . . 31
Conguration 02 - Perma-Cyl 230/450/700/1000 MP/HP, 450/1000VHP, 1500 HP . . . . . . . 32
Conguration 03 - Perma-Cyl 450/700/1000 MP/HP, 450/1000VHP, 1500 HP . . . . . . . . . .32
Conguration 04 - Perma-Cyl 450/700/1000 MP/HP, 450/1000 VHP, 1500 HP. . . . . . . . . .33
Conguration 05 - Perma-Cyl 450/700/1000 MP/HP, 450/1000VHP, 1500 HP . . . . . . . . . .33
Conguration 07 - Perma-Cyl 1000 VHP, 1500 VHP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Conguration 02 - Perma-Cyl 1500 VHP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Conguration 03 - Perma-Cyl 1500 VHP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Perma-Cyl 230-01 Chart Standard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Perma-Cyl 230-02 Cyl-Tel®Liquid Level Gauge Service Valve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Perma-Cyl 450/700-01 Chart Standard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Perma-Cyl 450/700-02 Cyl-Tel®Liquid Level Gauge Service Valve. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Perma-Cyl 450/700-03 Service Valves & High Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Perma-Cyl 450/700-04 Low Pressure Liquid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Perma-Cyl 450/700-05 CO2Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Perma-Cyl 230/450/700 Standard Parts List: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Perma-Cyl 230/450/700 Options: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Perma-Cyl 1000-01 Chart Standard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Perma-Cyl 1000-02 Cyl-Tel®Liquid Level Gauge Service Valve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Perma-Cyl 1000-03 Service Valves & High Pressure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Perma-Cyl 1000-04 Low Pressure Liquid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Perma-Cyl 1000-05 CO2Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Perma-Cyl 1000-07 ZX Super-Charged PB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Perma-Cyl 1000 Standard Parts List: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Perma-Cyl 1000 Options: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Perma-Cyl 1500 HP-02 Cyl-Tel®Liquid Level Gauge Service Valve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Perma-Cyl 1500 HP-03 Service Valves & High Pressure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Perma-Cyl 1500 HP-04 Low Pressure Liquid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Perma-Cyl 1500 HP-05 CO2Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Perma-Cyl 1500 HP Standard Parts List: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Perma-Cyl 1500 HP Options: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Perma-Cyl 1500 VHP-02 Cyl-Tel®Liquid Level Gauge Service Valve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Perma-Cyl 1500 VHP-03 Service Valves & High Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Perma-Cyl 1500 VHP-07 ZX Super-Charged PB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Perma-Cyl 1500 VHP Standard Parts List: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Perma-Cyl 1500 VHP Options: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Perma-Cyl 2000/3000 HP Plumbing Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Perma-Cyl 2000/3000 HP Parts List: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Perma-Cyl 2000/3000 HP Standard Product Connections: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Perma-Cyl 2000 VHP Plumbing Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Perma-Cyl 2000 VHP Parts List: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

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Table of ContentsProduct Manual - Perma-Cyl®MicroBulk Storage Systems
Revision Log
Revision Level Date Description
A 06/20/2001 Correct part number on pages 20 and 21, item number 8 from 10746447 to
11488591
B 04/02/2002 Updated Perma-Cyl line for congured to order
C 10/01/2003 General Update
D 10/31/2005 Replace 5-way valve 11627651 with 11939013 per ECO#12252
E 05/26/2015 Combine Operation and Installation Manuals into one Product Manual. Also
include PN 11630833, 14422722 and 11869772 in this Product Manual.
F 08/14/2015 Remove obsolete part numbers from Illustrations and Parts Listing section, add
PPE information to Safety section.
G 08/21/2018 Updated Specication table, remove 300 information
Perma-Cyl 2000 VHP Standard Product Connections: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Perma-Cyl 3000 VHP Plumbing Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Perma-Cyl 3000 VHP Parts List: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Perma-Cyl 3000 VHP Standard Product Connections: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Chart Packaged Gas Products Warranty Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

1
Product Manual - Perma-Cyl®MicroBulk Storage Systems
General
The Perma-Cyl® MicroBulk Storage System allows users
to enjoy the benets of on-site gas delivery. Gone are the
hassles, waste, and expense of full-for-empty gas cylinders.
Using Perma-Cyl tanks, there are no cylinders to change,
no residual gas losses, no back, hand or foot injuries from
handling cylinders, and no lost or damaged cylinders.
The Perma-Cyl tank is reliable, ecient, and more
economical than comparable transportable cylinders.
Designed for a higher level of thermal eciency, they can
hold their gas contents longer with lower pressure rise than
other similar vessels. Their extraordinary thermal quality
limits product losses during extended periods of little gas
use.
The innovative Perma-Cyl storage system incorporates a top
ll oat designed to allow single-hose lling without losses.
It automatically shuts o the Orca™MicroBulk Delivery
System for a safe and reliable ll.
Product Benets
• The rst “ll-at-site solution” for packaged or cylinder
gas users
• Fast lling capable
• Single hose no-loss lling
• Automatic ll shuto when used with an Orca delivery
system
• Extended holding times
• Telemetry ready with Cyl-Tel®Liquid Level Gauge
Product Advantages
• Sizes, pressures and congurations to meet most
applications
• Capacities from 230 liters to 3,000 liters (60.8 gal to 715
gal)
• Pressures from 235 psig to 500 psig (16.2 bar to 34.5 bar)
• Patented automatic ll shut-o feature with optional ll
box allows for remote lling from outside the building or
compound when a Perma-Cyl tank is installed indoors
• The Orca delivery system automatically safely stops the
ll process when Perma-Cyl tank is full
• Patented Cyl-Tel liquid level gauge supports remote
alarms or telemetry communications
• High-pressure high ow models for laser assist
applications
• Combination pressure control regulators with micrometer
adjustment knob or screw
• Outdoor or indoor installation and operation
Product Manual
This manual contains information regarding the safe
operation and maintenance of a Perma-Cyl MicroBulk
Storage System. It should be thoroughly read and understood
by anyone that operates the equipment.
The schematics, piping illustrations, and parts list show a
reference number for each component used on the tank.
The reference numbers may refer to the same functional
component between the various models. The reference
numbers will be used throughout this manual to draw specic
attention to a component while describing its function,
operation, or repair.
The safety requirements for operating the tank and handling
or transporting extremely cold liquid products are shown
in the Safety section. Use this safety section as a “Safety
Checklist” each time the equipment is being used.
The Introduction section discusses the general features of the
tank and the theory of operation.
In the Installation section there are illustrations for how to
uncrate and install the tank.
The remaining sections describe the specic tank models
covered by this manual. They contain warranty information,
troubleshooting help, technical specications/illustrations,
and parts lists. They should be reviewed rst and referred to
as the rest of the manual is read.
Preface

2
Preface Product Manual - Perma-Cyl®MicroBulk Storage Systems
Terms
Throughout this manual safety precautions will be designated
as follows:
Warning! Description of a condition that
can result in personal injury or
death.
Caution! Description of a condition that
can result in equipment or
component damage.
Note: A statement that contains information
that is important enough to emphasize or
repeat.
Acronyms / Abbreviations
The following acronyms / abbreviations are used throughout
this manual:
Ar Argon
ASME American Society of Mechanical Engineers
BAR Pressure (Metric)
CGA Compressed Gas Association
CO2Carbon Dioxide
DOT Department of Transportation
FPT Female Pipe Thread
Kg Kilogram
LAR Liquid Argon
LIN Liquid Nitrogen
MAWP Maximum Allowable Working Pressure
N2Nitrogen
Nm3Normal Cubic Meters
NER Normal Evaporation Rate
NFPA National Fire Protection Association
NPT National Pipe Tapered Thread
O2Oxygen
PB Pressure Builder
PN Part Number
PSI Pounds per Square Inch
PSIG Pounds per Square Inch (Gauge)
RV Relief Valve
SCF Standard Cubic Feet
SCFH Standard Cubic Feet/Hour
SCM Standard Cubic Meters
UFC Uniform Fire Code

3
Product Manual - Perma-Cyl®MicroBulk Storage Systems
General
While the Perma-Cyl®MicroBulk Storage System is
designed and built to the most rigid standards, no piece of
mechanical equipment can ever be made 100% foolproof.
Strict compliance with proper safety and handling practices
are necessary when using a cryogenic manifold device or
other compressed gas equipment. We recommend that all
of our customers re-emphasize safety and safe handling
practices to all their employees and customers. It is essential
that the customer carefully read and fully understand all
Warning and Caution notes listed below.
Warning! Only Perma-Cyl 230L and 450L
models are suitable to transport
full of liquid.
For over-the-road transportation
of tanks other than 230L and
450L, the tank pressure must be
reduced to no more than 22 psig.
Warning! The Perma-Cyl tank, with its
stainless steel support system
is designed, manufactured, and
tested to function normally for
many years of service. It is never
safe to drop a tank or let it fall
over in oxygen or any cryogenic
service. In the event a tank is
inadvertently dropped, tipped
over, or abused, slowly raise it to
its normal vertical position and
immediately open the vent valve
to release any excess pressure
in a safe manner. As soon as
possible, remove the liquid
product from the tank in a safe
manner. If the tank has been used
in oxygen service, purge it with
an inert gas (nitrogen). If damage
is evident or suspected, return
the unit to Chart prominently
marked “LIQUID CYLINDER
DROPPED, INSPECT FOR
DAMAGE”.
Warning! Any welding that is done on the
outside of the Perma-Cyl System
can cause loss of vacuum and
will VOID any warranty on the
unit.
Warning! Before removing tank parts or
loosening ttings, completely
empty the tank of liquid and
release the entire vapor pressure
in a safe manner. External
valves and ttings can become
extremely cold and may cause
painful burns to personnel unless
properly protected. Personnel
must wear protective gloves
and eye protection whenever
removing parts or loosening
ttings. Failure to do so may
result in personal injury because
of extreme cold and pressure in
the tank.
Caution! Only use replacement equipment
which is compatible with liquid
oxygen and has been cleaned
for oxygen use. Do not use
regulators, ttings, hoses, etc.,
which have been previously
used in compressed air service.
Failure to comply with these
instructions may result in serious
damage to the tank and personal
injury.
Caution! All valves on an empty Perma-
Cyl system should always be
kept closed to protect the inner
vessel and plumbing from being
contaminated.
Safety Bulletin
Portions of the following information are extracted from
Safety Bulletin SB-2 from the Compressed Gas Association,
Inc. Additional information on oxygen, nitrogen, argon, and
cryogenics is available from the CGA.
Cryogenic containers, stationary or portable, are from time
to time subjected to assorted environmental conditions of
an unforeseen nature. This safety bulletin is intended to call
attention to the fact that whenever a cryogenic container
is involved in any incident whereby the container or its
safety devices are damaged, good safety practices must be
followed. The same holds true whenever the integrity or
function of a container is suspected of abnormal operation.
Incidents which require that such practices be followed
include: highway accidents, immersion of a container in
Safety

4
Safety Product Manual - Perma-Cyl®MicroBulk Storage Systems
water, exposure to extreme heat or re, and exposure to most
adverse weather conditions (earthquake, tornadoes, etc.).
Under no circumstances should a damaged container be left
with product in it for an extended period of time.
Prior to reusing a damaged container, the unit must be
tested, evaluated, and repaired as necessary. It is highly
recommended that any damaged container be returned to
Chart for repair and re-certication.
In the event of known or suspected container vacuum
problems (even if an extraordinary circumstances such as
those noted above has not occurred), do not continue to use
the unit. Continued use of a cryogenic container that has a
vacuum problem can lead to embrittlement and cracking.
The remainder of this safety bulletin addresses those adverse
environments that may be encountered when a cryogenic
container has been severely damaged. These are oxygen
decient atmospheres, oxygen enriched atmospheres, and
exposure to inert gases.
Caution! Before locating oxygen
equipment, become familiar
with the NFPA standard No.
55 “Compressed Gases and
Cryogenic Fluids Code” (www.
nfpa.org) and with all local safety
codes.
Oxygen Decient Atmospheres
Warning! Nitrogen and argon vapors in air
may dilute the concentration of
oxygen necessary to support or
sustain life. Exposure to such
an oxygen decient atmosphere
can lead to unconsciousness and
serious injury, including death.
The normal oxygen content of air is approximately 21%.
Depletion of oxygen content in air, either by combustion
or by displacement with inert gas, is a potential hazard and
users should exercise suitable precautions.
One aspect of this possible hazard is the response of humans
when exposed to an atmosphere containing only 8 to 12%
oxygen. In this environment, unconsciousness can be
immediate with virtually no warning.
When the oxygen content of air is reduced to about 15
to 16%, the ame of ordinary combustible materials,
including those commonly used as fuel for heat or light,
may be extinguished. Somewhat below this concentration,
an individual breathing the air is mentally incapable of
diagnosing the situation because the onset of symptoms
such as sleepiness, fatigue, lassitude, loss of coordination,
errors in judgment and confusion can be masked by a state of
“euphoria,” leaving the victim with a false sense of security
and well being.
Human exposure to atmosphere containing 12% or less
oxygen leads to rapid unconsciousness. Unconsciousness can
occur so rapidly that the user is rendered essentially helpless.
This can occur if the condition is reached by an immediate
change of environment, or through the gradual depletion of
oxygen.
Most individuals working in or around oxygen decient
atmospheres rely on the “buddy system” for protection -
obviously the “buddy” is equally susceptible to asphyxiation
if he or she enters the area to assist the unconscious partner
unless equipped with a portable air supply. Best protection
is obtainable by equipping all individuals with a portable
supply of respirable air. Life lines are acceptable only if the
area is essentially free of obstructions and individuals can
assist one another without constraint.
If an oxygen decient atmosphere is suspected or known to
exist:
1. Use the “buddy system.” Use more than one “buddy” if
necessary to move a fellow worker in an emergency.
2. Both the worker and “buddy” should be equipped with
self-contained or airline breathing equipment.
Oxygen Cleaning
When replacing components, only use parts which are
considered compatible with liquid oxygen and have been
properly cleaned for oxygen service (Refer to CGA Bulletin
G-4.1 “Equipment Cleaned for Oxygen Service”). Do not
use regulators, ttings, or hoses which were previously
used in a compressed air environment on these tanks. Only
oxygen compatible sealants or Teon tape should be used on
threaded ttings. All new piping joints should be leak tested
with an oxygen compatible leak-test solution.
Caution! Failure to comply with these
instructions may result in serious
damage to the system and
personal injury.