Air-line couplings for supplied-air respirators

April 24, 1986

Mr. G.T. Slay
Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Slay:

This is in response to your letter of March 12, concerning air line couplings used in a supplied air respirator (SAR) system.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) respiratory protection standard states that ~~"Air line couplings shall be incompatible with outlets for other gas systems to prevent inadvertent service of air line respirators with nonrespirable gases or oxygen,"~~ (Correction 11/24/98) ["The employer shall ensure that breathing air couplings are incompatible with outlets for nonrespirable worksite air or other gas systems. No asphyxiating substance shall be introduced into breathing air lines,"] 29 CFR 1910.134[(i)(8)]. The intent of this standard is to prevent the inhalation of gases other than breathing air by the SAR wearer. If there is a likelihood that the breathing air may be contaminated or replaced with toxic gases, a separate air line for transporting breathing air is required.

There would be a violation of the standard if the breathing air and other toxic gases are transported through with the same system.

We hope we have addressed your concern.

Sincerely,

Edward J. Baier
Director
Directorate of Technical Support