Continuous Forced Air Conditions
According to the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), an acceptable practice is 20 complete air changes per hour or one every 3 minutes for a confined space.
According to the AIHA, an acceptable practice is 20 complete air changes per hour for a confined space.
Ventilation of a space will also vary depending on the type of material that is being ventilated from the space.
Conditions regarding continuous forced air ventilation should be used as follows:
- Employees should not enter the space until the forced air ventilation has eliminated any hazardous atmosphere,
- Forced air ventilation should be so directed as to ventilate the immediate areas where an employee is or will be present within the space,
- Continuous ventilation is maintained until all employees have left the space, and
- Air supply for forced air ventilation should be from a clean source.
Proper Ventilation Considerations
Initially, determine:
- number and size of openings
- volume and configuration of the space to be entered
- capacity and positioning of the ventilation equipment to be used
- existing and potential atmospheric hazards
Improper Ventilation Fire in Confined Space
After beginning ventilation:
- Routinely test the confined space until levels stabilize at acceptable entry conditions.
Once entry and work start:
- Continue ventilation and frequent atmospheric testing for the entire duration of entry.
- Consider atmospheric hazards created by work in the space.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
4-5. According to the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), an acceptable practice is _____ air changes per hour for a confined space.
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