The dangers associated with breathing contaminated air are also well known and especially critical when using SCBA tanks in emergency situations.

SCBA fill station air quality monitoring
Air filling in fire stations typically refers to the process of filling self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) cylinders with compressed air. Firefighters use SCBA to breathe while operating in hazardous environments, such as during firefighting operations in smoke-filled or oxygen-deficient areas.
Monitoring the air quality during the filling of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) cylinders is critical to ensure the safety and reliability of the breathing air supplied to firefighters. Contaminated or poor-quality air can jeopardize the effectiveness of SCBA and put firefighters at risk.
Fire departments and agencies often follow established air quality standards, such as those set by the National or local regulatory bodies. These standards dictate the acceptable levels of contaminants, including gases, particulates, and moisture, in the breathing air.
Air quality monitoring and maintenance of the air filling equipment are crucial to ensure that firefighters receive the highest quality breathing air when using SCBA during their operations. It helps minimize health risks and ensures the SCBA equipment operates effectively in hazardous environments.

Sigma 606  Continuous Breathing Air Analyser

Sigma 606 is a wall mounted breathing air analyser for continuous monitoring in accordance with EN 12021. This instrument measures gas concentrations for oxygen (O2), carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) in addition to dew point and oil vapour with programmable alarm settings for out of range alarms.

Breathing air monitoring continuously reduces the risk to users from quality issues that might occur between periodic testing and Sigma 606 system does not require regular user input to function reliably. Indeed, once the system is installed, the single pneumatic connection made and the power and signal connections established, the system can be relied on to provide alarm signals whenever the parameters exceed preset safe thresholds.

The easy to read touch screen display offers at-a-glance indication of the measured parameters in real time so that any operator can understand the air quality reading without fear of misinterpretation or needing specific training. The touchscreen menu system allows easy viewing and adjustment of the alarm settings and has an integral datalogger and PDF report generator for spot checks and specific testing.

Communication to BMS/SCADA systems or the dedicated SUTO S4A software is through Modbus TCP/RTU and there is an optional 4G dongle to enable wireless communication. Traditional local alarms can be wired through an optional 8 way relay expansion should that be needed.

Sigma 606 offers continuous breathing air user safety through continuous measurement from a self contained stand-alone system that only requires periodic calibration through exchange sensor modules that can be fitted by the user. There is no need for highly trained specialists or external contractors for this and the comprehensive instruction manual provides all the information and training needed.

• O2 0-25%
• CO2 0-1000ppm
• CO 0-20ppm
• H2O -100 +20degC TD
• Oil Vapour 0.001 – 5.000mg/m3
• Pressure 0-16bar
• Modbus TCP/RTU Communication
• Programmable alarms
• PDF report generator
• Integral data logger

Sigma 606 is perfect for monitoring breathing air quality continuously, but if you need mobile intermittent testing capability, Sigma 605 is the perfect solution.

Breathing Air Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Contamination Monitor

Normal CO2 levels outdoors (i.e. 200 – 400 ppm) or indoors (i.e. 500 – 2,500 ppm) are not considered hazardous. However, compressed air with CO2 levels that are within the “indoors range” can create problems in Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) applications. Some compressors might be equipped with filters to reduce CO2 levels. CGA G-7.1 lists a 1,000 ppm maximum for Grade D and a 500 ppm maximum for Grade E air. High CO2 levels in SCBA tanks can produce many of the same symptoms as CO poisoning. In addition, high CO2 levels increase breathing rates, which shorten SCBA usage time. One of the most common causes of SCBA air quality failures is excessive CO2 content.