Chapter 4: Performance Features and Safety Precautions
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18
Safety-First™ Vapor Sensor
The Safety-First™ Vapor Sensor detects filter saturation in the exhaust to
alert the operator to replace the filters. The early warning provided by the
Safety-First Vapor Sensor provides the user ample time (5-10% remaining
filter life) to complete work in process before replacing the filters. The early
warning signals with an intermittent beep and the LCD display message alerts
the user to replace filters. The final warning signals with a constant alarm
and the LCD display message alerts the user to replace filters. The Safety-
First Vapor Sensor includes a primary and secondary backup sensor for
redundant monitoring. Both sensors detect typical organic vapor solvents,
smoke particulates, ammonia gases, formaldehyde gases and hydrogen
sulfide gases. The Safety-First Vapor Sensor has an optimal detection range
of 1-10 ppm. Typical concentrations tested by Labconco for chemicals in
separate chemical families are listed in order of sensor sensitivity as follows:
Chemical Family
Chemical
Sensitivity Alert
Concentration
Odor
Threshold
(ppm)
Exposure
Limit TWA
(ppm)
Filter
Capacity
(%W)
Filter Type
Aldehydes & Ketones
Cyclohexanone 0.2-0.5
ppm
0.068
50
22%
OV
Mixture of Aliphatic
Hydrocarbons
Gasoline 0.3-1.0
ppm
0.3
300
11%
OV
Particulates Cigarette smoke
0.4-1.0 ppm
N/A
N/A
N/A
OV & HEPA
Aldehydes & Ketones
Acetone 0.5-1.0
ppm
4.58
250
2%
OV
Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Toluene
0.5-1.0 ppm
0.16
100
20%
OV
Ethers Methyl
Tert-Butyl
Ether 0.5-1.0
ppm 0.053 50 9%
OV
Sulfur Compounds
Hydrogen Sulfide
0.5-2.0 ppm
0.0005
10
10%
AG, Acid-Sulfur
Nitrogen Compounds
Diethylamine 1.5-2.0
ppm
0.186
10
7%
OV
Esters Ethyl
Acetate 1.5-4 ppm
0.61
400
9%
OV
Ethers
Diethyl Ether
2-4 ppm
2.29
400
4%
OV
Aldehydes
Formaldehyde
2-4 ppm, best to use
other detector methods
0.87 0.1
ceiling,
0.016
10% FORM
Nitrogen Compounds
Ammonia Solution
(Ammonium Hydroxide)
2-5 ppm
5.75
25
10%
AM, Ammonia-
Amine
Alcohols
Ethyl Alcohol
*
2.5-4 ppm
0.136
1000
1.3%
OV
Acids
Acetic Acid
5-6 ppm
0.016
10
4%
OV
Halogens Chlorobenzene
5-8
ppm
0.741
10
20%
OV
Alcohols
Isopropyl Alcohol
8-11 ppm
22
200
7%
OV
Aliphatic Hydrocarbons
Hexane
9-15 ppm
21.9
50
11%
OV
Alcohols
Methanol
*
15-25 ppm
141
200
0.1%,
very low
not recommended
Mineral Acids
Hydrochloric Acid
Not Detected, use other
detector means
0.77 5 17%
AG,
Acid-Sulfur
Important Note: Clean up procedures using alcohols or volatile
chemicals with low filter capacity could saturate the filters quickly.
Important Note:
The vapor sensor does not detect mineral acid gases such
as hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, or sulfuric acid and other detector means
such as a mineral acid sensor or interval timed sampling with sampling tubes
must be used.
Chemical Safety Note:
The chart above is only a guideline! Frequent
chemical testing or filter monitoring is recommended for other chemicals. If
chemical suitability is ever in question, always work below the acceptable
exposure limit/TWA to maximize both safety and filter performance.
*
