IPC Eagle Propane Powered Floor Care Equipment User guide

Safety Manual for Propane
Powered Floor Care Equipment

Contents
Introduction………………………………………………………….....………………… 1
Propane Safety…………………...……………………………………..………………... 1
Fire Safety...……….…………………………….……………. ………….....…….. 1
Emissions……………………………………………………………………..…… 1
Regulations……….……………………………………………………………..… 2
The EnviroGard Emissions Monitoring System…………….……………….............. 2
CO Detectors for Technicians………………………………..……………........…... 3
Testing……………………………………………………….....…………...……... 3
Hazard Communication……………………………………….………………......... 3
Operator Certification…………………………………………………………....… 4
Propane Cylinders…..………………………………………...………………......... 4
EnviroGard Cylinders…………..………………….....………………..........… 4
Refueling Cylinders...……………………………………….………........….. 4
Storing Cylinders……………………………………………………….......... 5
Transporting Cylinders………………………………..………………............ 5
Using Propane Powered Floor Care Equipment………..………….……...………….......... 6
Basic Safety Guidelines………..…………………………….……………….......… 6
Operating Guidelines………………………………………………………......…… 6
Machine Inspection……………………………………………………...…….....… 6
Appendices
Noise and Vibration…………………………………………………………….. A-1
Glossary………………………………………………………............................... A-2
Suggested Guidelines Propane Powered Floor Care Machines…………............. A-3
Crisis Management……………………………………………………………... A-5
Investigation of Accident or Claim

Propane Safety
Introduction
Propane is a flammable gas whose vapors are
heavier than air. As is the case with gasoline, propane can
explode if the propercautions are not heeded. Propane is
odorized with an agenthaving a distinct odor that is recog-
nizable at very lowconcentrations. This helps in identifying
leaks, even when they are small.
Awareness and basic safety precautions are required
when working with propane. As long as these precautions
are followed,risk is negligible. Ignorance, however, could
pose needless risk.
The two greatest hazards with propane powered floor care
machines are:
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: This is the most
frequently reported incident associated with propane
powered floor care machines and is caused by excessive
exhaust emissions. The symptoms are headache,
dizziness and nausea. A major cause involves engines
with poor preventive maintenance practices, usually those
with dirty air filters and machines operated in confined areas
without adequate ventilation. Another cause may be sub-
standard, inexpensive machines with no emissions control
technology and improperly set carburetion.
Overfilled Fuel Cylinders: Nearly all fire related
incidents reported result from bringing a cylinder into a
building without first checking for overfill. This action is
dangerous, unwise, and unnecessary.
Operating a propane powered floor care machine is not
difficult and is safe. However, as in operating any piece of
equipment, whether it be an automobile, lawnmower, power
boat, etc., safely operating a propane powered floor care
machine does require a basic knowledge of the equipment,
it’s safety features, safe work practices and routine mainte-
nance of the machine.
Why Use Propane?
1. Propane is a clean burning, efficient and reliable fuel.
2. It has the unique characteristic of being a gas at
atmospheric pressure and liquid when stored in a cylinder
under moderate pressure. Upon release of the pressure it
easily vaporizes to become a gas. It is in the gaseous state
that it mixes with air and can power vapor draw engines
used on floor care machines.
3. Propane is economical. It is also portable, which makes it
preferable over electric units for locations having few
electrical outlets.
4. Propane is extremely concentrated in it’s liquid state. One
cubic foot of liquid propane will expand to 270 feet (82 m) of
gaseous vapor at atmospheric pressure.
5. Propane is environmentally friendly. Because of it’s
molecular structure it burns it burns cleanly and
produces low hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide
emissions, far below the standards set by EPA. The
OSHA limit is 50 parts per million of carbon
monoxide over an 8 hour period. A properly
maintained propane powered floor machine
produces less than 10 parts per million carbon
monoxide in the ambient or surrounding air, much
less than is experienced in normal automobile traffic.
6. Propane gas is heavier than air. If it leaks or vents
from the cylinder it will settle close to the floor and
stay there.
7. Propane is non-toxic, unlike gasoline, diesel,
methanol and ethanol. Propane is only a slight risk
to health.
8. Propane has odor added for easy detection. Since
raw propane has no odor, a small amount of an
odorant, ethyl mercaptan, is added to give propane
its characteristic pungent odor.
Fire Safety
Be aware of the potential dangers of fire or explosion when
using propane, and take normal fire-safety precautions.
• Fire: There is a possibility of fire from LPG vapor
leaking or venting from fuel cylinders or carburetion
equipment.
• Explosion: LPG vapor concentrated or confined to
a small, restricted space may explode or ignite.
• Propane may experience a BLEVE, a boiling liquid
expanding vapor explosion.
Emissions
All propane powered floor care machines produce
emissions. Most are harmless, but some are dangerous and
can be fatal. Carbon monoxide (CO) poses the greatest risk,
since CO can be lethal within as little as 30 minutes
exposure at 3,000 parts per million (ppm) concentration.
Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas
created when fossil fuels (such as gasoline, wood, coal,
propane, oil and methane) burn incompletely. In the home,
heating and cooking equipment are possible sources are
possible sources of carbon monoxide. Vehicles running in
an attached garage could also produce dangerous levels of
carbon monoxide. Any internal combustion engine not
maintained properly can also produce harmful levels of CO.

Propane Safety
Regulations
NFPA
Operating a propane powered floor care machine requires
compliance with certain safety regulations. The National Fire
Protection Agency (NFPA) Standard for Storage and Handling
of LP Gas is the appropriate authority for safe propane use.
Among its regulations, NFPA #58 requires that all personnel
employed in the handling of propane gas be trained in its
proper handling and operating procedures. It also requires
them to carry a written certification from their employer
or training supervisor to attest to such training. Although this
is directed mainly to those who fill and transport liquid pro-
pane gas, Onyx Environmental Solutions recommends that
operators of propane powered floor care machines in public
places be trained and certified as well.
With regard to operation of propane powered floor care
equipment, even though NFPA 58 8-4.5 says “these machines
shall be permitted to be used in buildings frequented by the
public, including the times when such buildings are occupied
by the public,” Onyx Environmental Solutions suggests usage
when occupancy of a given work area is minimal.
NFPA is a non-profit organization that was established in
1896 to create fire protection standards. Today, it is nationally
recognized as the final authority in fire safety related matters.
In fact, NFPA #58 regulations have been adopted by virtually
all municipalities and stand as the basis for the propane gas
safety regulations.
CARB / EPA
The California Air Resource Board (CARB) and Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) also set limits for propane powered
engines used outdoors, but CARB/EPA approval does not
signify that the engine is safe to use indoors.
CGA
The Canadian Gas Association (CGA) has set a limit of 1500
ppm CO in exhaust flow.
OSHA
For propane powered machines used indoors, the Occupa-
tional Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has estab-
lished a limit of 50 ppm CO for 8-hour time weighted average
(TWA) in ambient air and is considering a limit of 800 ppm CO
in exhaust flow.
DOT
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has established
regulations regarding the safety of fuel cylinders including
the ones used on propane powered floor care machines.
Local Agencies
Local law enforcement agencies such as the local Fire
Marshall also rely on independent testing labs such as UL
and CGA before giving their approval of the use of some
equipment. These labs thoroughly test equipment and
submit their stamp of approval only after rigorous testing.
While not being required by all law enforcement agencies,
the stamp of approval by these agencies further assures the
operator that he or she is working with and around safe
equipment.
The EnviroGard Emissions Monitoring System
All Onyx Environmental Solutions propane burnishers and
strippers are equipped with the EnviroGard Emissions
Monitoring System. This system provides a unique, state
of-the-art, fail-safe means for ensuring emissions safety to
operators and other personnel in environments where
propane equipment is used.
EnviroGard employs a sensor in the exhaust path between
the engine and the catalytic muffler to detect the oxygen
content of the exhaust before it is passed through the
catalyst. The oxygen sensor does not react to nor does it
measure the CO content of the exhaust. It responds only to
oxygen content.
The oxygen sensor produces an electrochemical signal that
is sent to the EnviroGard Control Module. If the magnitude
of this signal is not within the preset control limits, the
Control Module will activate the shut down sequence and the
engine will stop running.
The control limits are preset in the Control Module at the
Onyx Environmental Solution factory. The air-fuel ratio is
then tuned before shipping such that the CO content in the
tail pipe, as measured by a digital CO detector, is not greater
than 15 ppm for machines with 16 HP water-cooled
Kawasaki engines and not greater than 20 ppm for machines
with 17 HP air-cooled Kawasaki engines.
The Control Module is set to ignore the readings from the
oxygen sensor during the first three minutes the engine is
running. This period allows:
1. The sensor to reach a stable operating temperature.
2. The catalyst in the muffler to reach the temperature
necessary to reduce the levels of CO, nitrogen
oxides (NOx) and hydrocarbons (HC) in the exhaust.
The most common event in which the Control Module shuts
down an engine is when the air filter becomes dirty enough
to restrict the air intake flow, which changes the air-fuel ra-
tio such that the oxygen sensor signal is outside the control
limits. Once the air filter is properly cleaned, operation of
the machine can be resumed.

Propane Safety
In accurate adjustments of the air-fuel ratio by technicians in
the field will also result in the Control Module shutting down
the engine. The recommended settings for the air-fuel ratio
for both full throttle and idle are provided by Onyx Environ-
mental Solutions in the Operator’s Manual included with
each machine.
For additional information on the EnviroGard Emissions
Monitoring System and floor care machines equipped with
this technology, please contact Onyx Environmental Solutions
Customer Service at 1-800-858-3533.
CO Detectors for Technicians
Onyx Environmental Solutions recommends that all opera-
tors of propane powered equipment wear Carbon Monoxide
Indicator badges as an extra precaution. The plastic indi-
cator contains a colored indicator button which darkens in
the presence of Carbon Monoxide. The relative darkness of
the indicator button indicates the level of CO in the ambient
atmosphere. Most indicator badges have a useful life of
30 days, depending on the concentration of contaminants,
humidity, and temperature.
Testing
There are a great number of instruments offered on the
market to test for toxic gases. Only those designed to read
carbon monoxide resulting from combustion engines are
considered acceptable for testing exhaust emissions from
propane powered floor machines.
Some instruments are used to read “ambient air” and may be
damaged if used to take readings in the muffler or tail pipe.
Selecting the proper instrument is an important part of meet-
ing the testing requirements.
Generally speaking, units capable of reading in ppm, (parts
per million), at ranges from 0 to 1000 are adequate for check-
ing ambient air (air in the breathing zone of the operator). In-
struments capable of testing carbon monoxide in the exhaust
should be able to read from 0 to at least 2000 ppm and should
be certified by the manufacturer for that purpose.
Some instruments and systems used for these purposes are:
AMBIENT AIR MONITORING
DRAGER Model 190: Manufactured by National
Drager.
SENSIDYNE gas sampling system with YB-11038
Sensidyne dectector tubes
DRAGER gas sampling system with YB-4620
Drager detective tubes
GAS-TECH Model CO-95
ENERAC POCKET 60: Manufactured by Energy
Efficiency System
ENGINE EXHUAST ANALYZERS
HORIBA GAS ANALYZER
ENERAC 2000 COMBUSTION ANALYZER
ENERAC POCKET 60
DATA LOGGERS
INDUSTRIAL SCIENTIFIC CORP. MODEL STX-70
CO MONITOR, Data-Logger
BIOSYSTEMS INC. “TEXILOG” Data-Logger
All instruments used for testing must be calibrated at
intervals recommended by the manufacturer. The monitor,
model number and date of calibration will be recorded with
all test results.
Hazard Communication
It is necessary to post a Material Safety Data Sheet for
propane. You will notice on this sheet that propane is highly
flammable and it has a slight health risk. Because propane
is odorized, it is easily detected at levels of just a few parts
per million, which is much less than the exposure limit of
1000 parts per million.
If you smell propane while operating a propane floor care
machine, do the following:
1. Stop the engine: Pull the throttle to the stop position
(if present) or turn the key switch to the off position.
2. Shut off the service valve on the propane cylinder.
3. Move the floor machine to a well-ventilated area.
4. Remove the cylinder from the machine and take it
outside the building.
5. If the cylinder is leaking, contact a DOT approved
repair shop to determine the cause of the leak and
have the shop, not you, repair it.
If a fire occurs while the machine is being operated do the
following:
1. Stop the engine: pull the throttle to the stop position
(if present) or turn the key switch to the off position.
2. Shut off the service valve on the propane cylinder if
possible. Be careful not to get burned.
3. Move the machine outside if possible. If not
possible, move it to a well-ventilated area away from
flammable materials.
4. Do not attempt to extinguish the flame from a gas
leak. If you do, the gas will build up in the area and
could re-ignite. Starve the fire by shutting off the
supply of gas.
5. Have the machine and cylinder inspected before
using them again.

Propane Safety
Storing Cylinders
When not in use, propane cylinders always should be stored
outside in an upright position in a secure, tamperproof, steel
mesh storage cabinet. This cabinet may be located next to
the building but with at least five feet (1.5 m) of space be-
tween the cabinet and the nearest building opening (door or
window).
Do not install the cabinet near a stairway or street elevator
as vented propane gas will seek a lower level since it is
heavier than air and could find its way into the basement
of the building. Do not store cylinders full or empty inside a
building or inside a vehicle. Although it is unlikely that pro-
pane will vent from a stored cylinder, if it should, the vapor
could come in contact with an ignition source such as a
spark from a power tool or other appliance and create a
flash fire. Do not smoke or use a device with an open flame
when handling or transporting propane cylinders.
Transporting Cylinders
When transporting cylinders to a propane dealer or to a job,
make sure the cylinders are securely fastened and stand-
ing in an upright position with the service valve closed. A
cylinder rattling around in the back of a vehicle and banging
into other objects constitutes a hazard. Avoid dropping or
banging cylinders against sharp objects. The propane cylin-
ders are sturdily constructed but a series of hard jolts could
cause damage.
Please note that any cylinder that has been filled is always
considered full, no matter how little propane gas remains
in it. This is because even when all liquid has evaporated
into vapor there is still some propane gas vapor left in the
cylinder. Because this remaining fuel is flammable, an empty
cylinder should be treated with the same careful procedures
as one that is filled to the 80% level with liquid propane. The
only time that a cylinder is considered empty is when it is
new, before it has been filled with propane.
When transporting a propane powered floor care machine,
the propane cylinder may be strapped onto the machine as
long as the machine itself is firmly secured in the vehicle.
Of course, spare cylinders should always be secured in an
upright position.

Using Propane Powered
Floor Care Equipment
All machines manufactured by Onyx Environmental Solutions
come with a detailed Operator’s Manual. Safety dictates
that before using any new equipment, it is important that all
operators read and understand the Operator’s Manual.
Basic Safety Guidelines Basic Safety Guidelines
• Allow only qualified and trained personnel to operate equipment.
• Follow maintenance and operating instructions.
• Check oil level before starting. • Check oil level before starting.
• Keep nuts and bolts tightened and hose connections snug.
• Never alter or reconstruct the fuel system. To do so may be
dangerous.
• Use only UL, CTC/DOT listed cylinders, like the Onyx
Environmental Solutions cylinder.
• Store the fuel cylinder outside and away from heat and direct
sunlight.
• Never leave the machine running unattended.
• Check pad holder for cracks each time the pad is changed.
• Have the machine serviced by a Certified Technician, including an
emission check, every three months.
• Before attempting any service on the machine, turn the ignition
switch OFF and remove the key to avoid accidental startup.
• Operate in a well-ventilated area. • Operate in a well-ventilated
area.
• Keep hands and feet clear of rotating pads
and brushes.
• Do not allow the floor care machine to operate without moving the
machine. It may burn the floor and damage the floor covering.
• Only use replacement parts from the
manufacturer.
• Post a Material Data Safety Sheet (MSDS) for propane.
Propane Powered machines should not be used:
• In nursing homes, hospitals, day-care centers, etc.
• By unqualified or untrained personnel.
• Unless properly maintained and adjusted
• On areas with obstructions such as thresholds, floor outlet boxes,
etc.
• In areas where loose tiles or other objects
are present.
• In rooms without proper ventilation.
Operating Guidelines
Always read and understand the Operator’s Manual
for your machine before operating it.
Machine Inspection
Regular maintenance of propane powered floor
care machines is a must to keep them in good, safe
working condition. Every time the machine is used,
the following checkout procedure should be
followed.
1. Check for overfilled cylinders. Check cylinders, and vent if
necessary. Do this before taking the cylinder inside to use.
Never take an overfilled cylinder inside.
2. Check the recoil dust filter. The recoil dust filter should be
cleaned or replaced after each use of the machine and after each
each use of the machine and after each hour of continuous
operation. If neglected, the engine will overheat and carbon
monoxide emissions will elevate. hour of continuous operation. If
neglected, the engine will overheat and carbon monoxide
emissions will elevate.
3. Check the oil level. The oil level should always be within the safe
levels indicated on the dipstick. Add oil if necessary, but never
overfill. Overfilling could cause irreparable damage to the engine.
4. Check the condition of the pad or brushes and pad holder. If the
pad is dirty, it should be cleaned. Flipping the pad and using
both sides will increase pad life. If the pad is torn or worn down
more than 1/8” (0.3 cm), it should be replaced.
5. Enter checks in a daily maintenance log to maintain a detailed
record for the machine.