Warning High concentrations of CO2 gas can cause asphyxiation! OSHA
Standards specify that employee exposure to carbon dioxide in any eight-
hour shift of a 40-hour work week shall not exceed the eight-hour time
weighted average of 5000 PPM (0.5% CO2). The short term exposure
limit for 15 minutes or less is 30,000 PPM (3% CO2). Carbon dioxide
monitors are recommended for confined areas where concentrations of
carbon dioxide gas can accumulate. s
The CO2 gas supply being connected should be industrial grade 99.5%
pure and should not contain siphon tubes. Install a two-stage pressure
regulator at the cylinder outlet. The high pressure gauge at the tank should
have 0-2000 psig range and the low pressure gauge, at the incubator inlet,
should have a 0-30 psig range. Input pressure to the incubator must be
maintained at 15 psig (103.4 kPa), ±5 psig.
The incubator has a serrated fitting on the back of the cabinet to connect
the gas supply. Refer to Figure 1-13. The fitting is labeled CO2 Inlet.
Make sure that the connection is secured with a clamp. Check fitting for
leaks.
Caution This incubator is designed to be operated with CO2 gas only.
Connecting a flammable or toxic gas can result in a hazardous condition.
Gases other than CO2 should not be connected to this equipment. CO2
gas cylinders have UN1013 labeled on the cylinder and are equipped with
a CGA 320 outlet valve. Check the gas cylinder for the proper
identification labels. The CO2 gas supply being connected to the incubator
should be industrial grade, 99.5% pure. Do not use CO2 gas cylinders
equipped with siphon tubes. A siphon tube is used to extract liquid CO2
from the cylinder, which can damage the pressure regulator. Consult with
your gas supplier to ensure that the CO2 cylinder does not contain a
siphon tube. Gas cylinders should also be secured to a wall or other
stationary object to prevent them from tipping. A two-stage CO2 pressure
regulator is required to be installed on the outlet valve of the gas cylinder.
Input pressure to the incubator must be maintained at 15 psig (103.4 kPa),
±5 psig, for proper performance of the CO2 control system. (A single
stage CO2 pressure regulator will not maintain 15 psig. If higher purity
CO2 is desires inside the incubator (greater than 99.5% pure), the pressure
regulator should be constructed with a stainless steel diaphragm along with
specifying the purity of the CO2 from the gas supplier. Follow the
manufacturer’s instructions to ensure proper and safe installation of the
pressure regulator on the gas cylinder. Consult your facility safety officer to
ensure that the equipment is installed in accordance with the codes and
regulations that are applicable in your area. s
1-10 Isotemp WJ Incubator Fisher Scientific
Section 1
Installation and Start-Up
Connecting the Gas
Supply