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4
Oper
ations / Br
eathinig Air Requir
ements
Operations
Protection
Respiratory
The RT Series respirator is NIOSH approved (TC-19C-412) as a Type C
continuous-flow supplied air respirator. It can be worn for general purpose
applications, including pharmaceutical manufacturing, chemical and pesticide
handling, tank cleaning, spray painting, and other industrial or agricultural
applications in which hazardous compounds are present.
The RT Series respirator is not approved for use in any atmosphere
immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH), or from which the wearer
cannot escape without the aid of the respirator. IDLH is defined in 29 CFR
1910.134(b)
Head
RT Series respirator hoods DO NOT provide head protection.
Face
RT Series respirator hoods DO NOT provide face protection. If face protection
is required, use the Bullard 20TICH or 20SICH model.
Eyes
RT Series respirator hoods DO NOT provide eye protection. Wear approved
safety glasses or goggles at all times.
Ears
RT Series respirator hoods DO NOT provide hearing protection. Use properly
fitted earmuffs, earplugs or other protection when exposed to high noise
levels.
RT Series Respirator Breathing Air Requirements
Air Quality
Respirable, breathable air must be supplied to the point-of-attachment of
the approved Bullard air supply hose. The point-of-attachment is the point
at which the air supply hose connects to the air source. A pressure gauge
attached to the air source is used to monitor the pressure of air provided to
the respirator wearer (see Figure 2).
Supplied breathing air must AT MINIMUM meet the requirements for Type 1
gaseous air described in the ANSI/Compressed Gas Association Commodity
Specification G-7.1 for Grade D or higher quality as specified by Federal
regulations 42 CFR, Part 84.141(b) and 29CFR1910.134(i).
The requirements for Grade D breathable air include:
Oxygen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19.5-23.5%
Hydrocarbons (condensed) in mg/m3 of gas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 mg/m3 max.
Carbon monoxide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 ppm max.
Carbon dioxide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,000 ppm max.
Odor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *
No toxic contaminants at levels that make air unsafe to breathe.
*Specific measurement of odor in gaseous air is impractical. Air may normally
have a slight odor. The presence of a pronounced odor should render the air
unsatisfactory.
Contact the Compressed Gas Association (1725 Jefferson Davis Highway,
Arlington, VA 22202) or www.cganet.com for complete details on Commodity
Specification G-7.1.
Air Source
Locate the source of supplied air, whether it is a breathing air compressor
or an ambient air pump, such as a Bullard Free-Air® pump, in a clean air
environment. Locate the air source far enough from your work site to ensure
the air remains contaminant-free. Always use an inlet filter on your air
source.
Use suitable after-cooler/dryers with filters, and carbon monoxide monitors
and alarms, as necessary to assure clean, breathable air at all times.
Compressed air should be regularly sampled to be sure that it meets Grade D
requirements.
RT Series Respirator Breathing Air Pressure
Air pressure should be monitored at the point-of-attachment while operating
this respirator. A reliable air pressure gauge must be present to permit you to
monitor pressure during actual respirator operation.
Special or Critical User’s Instructions
The Breathing Air Pressure Table (see page 5) defines the air pressure ranges
necessary to provide RT Series respirators with a volume of air that falls
within the required range of 6-15 cfm or 170-425 lpm (Ref. 42 CFR, Part 84,
Subpart J, 84.150).
Make sure you understand the information in the Breathing Air Pressure Table
before using this respirator.
1. Determine the type of air source you are using (Column 1), then find your
flow control valve/climate control device (Column 2).
2. Be sure your Bullard air supply hose (Column 3) is approved for use with
your flow control valve/climate control device.
3. Determine that your Bullard air supply hose is within the approved length
(Column 4).
4. Make sure you have not exceeded the maximum number of hose sections
(Column 5).
5. Set the air pressure at the point-of-attachment within the required
pressure range (Column 6) for your flow control valve/climate control device,
and air supply hose type and length.
RT Series Respirator Breathing Air Supply Hoses
and Hose Fittings
NIOSH approved Bullard air supply hose(s) MUST be used between the
breathing tube connection fitting on the wearer’s belt and the point-of-
attachment to the air supply.
NIOSH approved Bullard quick-disconnect fittings MUST be used to connect
V5 or V20 hose lengths together. When connecting lengths of V10 hose, only
use Bullard V11 hose-to-hose adapters. Secure connection(s) until wrench-
tight and leak-free. Total connected hose length and number of hoses MUST
be within the ranges specified on the Breathing Air Pressure Table (see page
5).
The breathing tube connection fitting MUST be secured to the belt that is
supplied with this respirator. Securing the breathing tube connection helps
prevent the air supply hose from snagging, disconnecting or pulling the
respirator hood off your head.
WARNING
The RT Series respirator must be supplied with clean, breathable air,
Grade D or better, at all times. This respirator does NOT purify or filter
out contaminants. Failure to heed these warnings could result in death
or serious injury.
WARNING
Failure to supply the minimum required pressure at the point-of-attach-
ment for your hose length and RT respirator type will reduce airflow and
could result in death or serious injury.
