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Confined Space

Confined Spaces - How To Make Sure You're Working Safely - Part 2

This is Part 2 of our guide to safely working in confined spaces. You can read Part 1 here where we defined what a confined space is, what atmospheric hazards are, and factors involved in atmospheric testing.

In confined space with PGD

In this article, we'll look at the sort of equipment that will enable you and your team to accurately monitor for atmospheric hazards in confined working spaces.

Monitoring Confined Spaces for Atmospheric Hazards

Before entering a confined space it's essential to monitor the air inside to test for atmospheric hazards. This test should be done remotely and in the following order:

  • oxygen. Test the atmosphere to establish whether the proper oxygen levels are present. We have more on these levels in part 1 of our guide
  • combustible gases. Testing at this stage is imperative to ensure that no combustible gases are present
  • toxic gases. Common toxic gases found in confined spaces include hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and carbon monoxide (CO). However, other toxic gases may be present could be present, therefore using a monitor that will allow you to accurate evaluate their levels before entry

How to Monitor For Atmospheric Hazards in a Confined Space

In a confined space it's important to take atmospheric samples at the top, middle and bottom of the confined space. The reason for this is simple; you're endeavouring to locate varying concentrations of gases and vapours.

The top and bottom of the confined space will typically contain higher concentrations and this depends on whether they are less or more dense than the air. Air intrusion from the the entrance to the confined space can give a false sense of the adequacy of the oxygen present, so it's very important to sample at a distance from the entrance.

Once this pre-entry check has been completed and it's established the confined space is safe to work in, the air within it must be monitored continuously. Conditions in a confined space can change without warning due to toxic vapour release, leakage or by disturbing the air within the space.

Therefore, both for pre-entry tests and continuous monitoring, using the correct equipment is a must.

Confined Space Working - What Monitors Should be Used?

As stated above, because pre-entry tests are a necessity, the monitor you use should feature a pump. We've chosen three for you to consider.

BW Ultra - 5 Gas Detector 

The BW Ultra Multi-Gas Detector from Honeywell can monitor up to 5 specific gases simultaneously and features a built-in pump. The BW Ultra features the following sensor options: Oxygen (O2), Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S), Combustible Gases (LEL/IR), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Hydrogen (H2), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Ammonia (NH3), VOCs, Chlorine (Cl2), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN) and Nitrogen Monoxide (NO) making it ideal for confined space work.

If any of the gases above are detected the BW Ultra will alert you via the following alarms:

  • Audible 95dB
  • Vibration
  • Visible Alarm (flashing bright LEDs)
  • High and Low values
  • STEL, TWA and OL values

Read our blog post on the top 5 things you should know about the BW Ultra Multi-Gas Detector.

MultiRAE Lite - click for more info

MultiRAE Lite Pumped

This is a multi-gas detector with a broad range of sensors available and is able to monitor up to six gases.  This particular model is a pumped model and features the following sensors: Photoionization (PID), Combustible Gases (LEL), Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S), Carbon Monoxide (CO) and also Oxygen (O2).

The MultiRAE Lite will alert you to presence of these gases in the following ways:

 
  • Audible (95 dB @ 30 cm)
  • Vibration
  • Visible (flashing bright red LEDs)
  • On-screen indication of alarm conditions

MSA Altair 5X - click for more info

Exclusive features of the Altair 5X make the instrument ideal for confined space applications.  MotionAlert activates when a user becomes disabled or motionless and shows others where the user is situated.  InstantAlert allows you to manually alert others to a hazardous situation.

This particular model has a monochrome display and can detect the following gases: Oxygen (O2), Methane (CH4) and also Carbon Monoxide and Hydrogen Sulphide (CO & H2S).

If detected, the Altair 5X will alert you in the following ways:

  • Audible (>95 dB at 1 ft)
  • Vibration
  • Visual (2 ultra-bright LEDs)

Read our report on the Altair 5X here.

As we've seen in both parts of this series, confined spaces present us with hazards which we must be aware of and equipped with monitors that will allow us to test to atmospheric qualities pre-entry and while we work.

We offer confined space training, which you can learn more about here.

If you have any questions on working in confined spaces and the best equipment to have, get in touch with our experts by clicking here or using our LiveChat function.

Disclaimer:

Under no circumstances should a confined space be entered or monitoring equipment used except by qualified and trained personnel, and after all instructions have been carefully read and understood and all precautions followed. This article only a general description of atmospheric testing in a confined space and equipment used to monitor a confined space.

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