Respiratory protection compressor
Respiratory protection compressor
A breathing air compressor is a compressor which can be used to fill respiratory air cylinders for respiratory protection or diving equipment with breathing air.
This is usually a multi-stage piston compressor or an oil-free diaphragm compressor (advantage of absolutely oil-free air), since it must reach pressures of at least 200 bar, but usually 300 bar to fill bottles. The diaphragm compressor reaches a maximum pressure of 6 bar and is suitable for compressed air hose systems. The compressors are usually powered by an electric motor.
The compressed air bottles with their valves are screwed to the so-called filling strip. After filling, the line between the cylinder valve and the compressor valve must be vented, as the screw connection can not be released under pressure.
In order to allow a more uniform filling of the bottles, additional buffer bottles with a larger volume are often incorporated into the system so that the switching frequency of the compressor is significantly reduced. In addition, necessary filling air is immediately available without the compressor, which is usually unpressurized, has to build up the necessary pressure.
Depending on the application, there are stationary or transportable compressors.
In the fire brigades, transportable compressors are carried in the respiratory protection vehicles. For reasons of cost, stationary compressors are only stationed at larger fire brigades or special support points, which then also fill the bottles of the smaller fire brigades.
The installation location of the compressor or the intake point of the filling air is always important, so that the bottles are filled with pure air only. Especially when using the compressor for on-site operations, it is important that the wind direction is observed so that no fire gases are sucked in.
Safety is the top priority when filling air vents. therefore regular maintenance and checks are necessary. Be sure to keep this book. The same applies to the filling itself. Prior to filling, the breathing air bottle must be checked precisely for visible damage. The last inspection date must not be longer than five years for AG bottles. In the case of the CFRP bottles (composite bottles), the test intervals are 3 years and for the TG bottles (dipping devices), the period is 2 1/2 years. Breathing air bottles, which are used as work bottles in spring breakers and oil stop hoses, have a test period of 10 years.
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