Code of Maine Rules
10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL
Chapter 225 - LICENSING SUPPLIERS OF COMPRESSED AIR USED IN SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS
Section 144-225-2 - OPERATIONAL AND EQUIPMENT STANDARDS

Universal Citation: 10 ME Code Rules ยง 144-225-2

Current through 2024-38, September 18, 2024

A. Air Standards. Components in the compressed air shall not exceed the limits set forth in the following table:

Oxygen ... Not less than 19%/vol.

Carbon Monoxide............10 ppm

Carbon Dioxide..............500 ppm

Hydrocarbons (condensed) 5mg/m3

Odor. . . .See Note No. 1

Other. . . Contaminants deleterious to health shall not be present.

%/Vol percent by volume

ppm parts per million by volume

mg/m3 milligrams per cubic meter of air

Note No. 1 - Odor - Although air normally has a slight Odor, the presence of a pronounced odor shall render the air unsatisfactory.

B. Air Processing Equipment. Air processing involves the compression, purification and proper storage of the purified air.

1. Compressor. The air compressor shall be of a type, size and capacity in keeping with the intended usage; and shall incorporate the equipment and features necessary to assure efficient operation and to safeguard against malfunction or human error. The air compressor shall include:
a. An Inlet Filter: Positioned to exclude airborne particles, exhausts of automotive vehicles and undesirable odors or other contaminants.

b. Pressure Control Device: To prevent the compressor from exceeding a pre-set pressure.

c. Temperature Control Device: To prevent the compressor from over-heating, a temperature sensing probe shall be affixed at the hottest location in the compressor

d. Running Time Recorder: To record the actual running hours of the compressor.

e. Inter-Coolers On Multistage Compressors; To cool the compressed air between each compression stage.

C. Air Purification. The air purification system shall consist of:

1. Aftercooler: To cool the compressed air to cause water and oil vapors to condense.

2. Condensate Separator: To remove condensed water and oil droplets.

3. Water and Oil. Removal Device: To remove remaining water and oil vapors.

4. Odor Removal Device: To remove undesirable odors.

D. Air Cylinders. Air filling stations shall not fill self-contained underwater breathing apparatus that do not have U.S. Department of Transportation - DOT (or Interstate Commerce Commission ICC, if manufactured prior to January 1, 1970), marking showing that the cylinder has been hydrostatically TESTED WITHIN FIVE YEARS OF THE DATE OF FILLING. Cascade system cylinders shall be hydrostatically tested at 5 year intervals.

E. Protective Barriers.

1. Protective barriers or isolated areas shall be provided to protect personnel against possible air cylinder failure during filling operations.

2. If space considerations absolutely prevent isolating the filling area, or if no protective barriers are used or such barriers are deemed to be inadequate by the Department, then a large plastic container filled with water shall be used to contain the air cylinders during the filling operation.

3. Under no circumstances, shall an air cylinder be filled in a metal water container.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Maine may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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