IceTech Evolution Line Xtreme 40, Manual

Page: 10 / 36

10
CO
2
DETECTOR
The presence of a CO
2
detector is recommended in areas of
limited ventilation such as rooms, closed tanks, etc. The CO
2
detector can be installed to interrupt the blasting process
before the CO
2
concentration exceeds a prescribed limit.
CO
2
CONCENTRATIONS
Dry ice pellets are CO
2
in a solid form. At normal atmospheric
pressure, CO
2
can only exist in a solid form at a temperature
of -79°C/-110°F or lower.
When CO
2
is used as a blasting medium, it becomes heated
and changes into a gaseous form. As CO
2
has a higher
specific gravity than ordinary atmospheric air, inhaled air will
contain CO
2
– especially if the blasting process takes place in
small or partly closed rooms.
In such conditions there is a risk of the oxygen content of
inhaled air being replaced by CO
2
. Therefore it is essential to
make sure the room is well ventilated when dry ice blasting!
LOW CO
2
• low CO
2
concentrations (3-5%) result in headaches and
rapid breathing,
• CO
2
concentrations of 7-10% produce headaches and
nausea, and may lead to unconsciousness,
• higher CO
2
concentrations lead to unconsciousness and in
the worst case – suffocation.
As stated above, high CO
2
concentrations can displace
oxygen and result in unconsciousness. Therefore, avoid
using the dry ice blasting machine in spaces/rooms where
ventilation is limited.
Read the safety data sheet provided by the dry ice supplier
and follow the instructions given.