www.bullard.com
Operating the Free-Air® Pump
1. Analyze the atmosphere at the location of the worksite, the air
inlet and the pump, to be sure the pump will not be operating in a
contaminated or an explosive atmosphere.
2. Make sure the pump’s inlet
filters are located in a clean,
uncontaminated location
where breathable air is
assured at all times (Figure 5).
The pump WILL NOT remove
carbon monoxide, toxic gases
or other contaminants from
the incoming air it transfers to
the respirator wearer.
3. Plug the pump into a single phase 230 or 208 volt electrical outlet.
The pump’s motor is equipped with an 8 foot cord with three wires,
30 amp plug (NEMA L6-30) and a manual starter.
You may use up to 50 feet of 30 amp,
three-wires grounded extension cord to reach your electrical outlet.
We recommend using 8 gauge wire. Avoid excessive lengths of
extension cord, especially if running the pump continuously.
4. Assemble your respirator by following the manufacturer’s directions
as described in the respirator’s instruction manual.
Be sure the pump’s outlet pressure, measured by the pressure
gauge on the air supply hose attachment pod(s), will be greater
than the minimum MSHA/ NIOSH approved pressure required
to operate the respirator. The respirator’s minimum approved
pressure will be found in the respirator’s user manual and/ or on
labels attached to the respirator.
If you have any question as to whether or not your respirator is
compatible with the pump, call the respirator manufacturer or
Bullard’s Customer Service Department at 877-BULLARD or
1-859-234-6616.
5. While outside of the contaminated work area, connect the air
supply hose, that was approved by NIOSH as part of the respirator
system being used, to the quick-
disconnect coupler(s) or the
pod(s) (Figure 6).
NOTE
If your respirator’s air supply
hose, approved by NIOSH
as part of the respirator
system being used, will not
connect to the pod’s standard
1/2” Industrial Interchange
couplers, you can convert
the couplers to 3/8” female
NPT with installation of the
following adaptors.
Cat. No. V23
- Converts one
1/2” Industrial Interchange
coupler to 3/8” female NPT. One
V23 adaptor is required for each
coupler (Figure 7).
A variety of quick-disconnect
couplers or fittings may be used
to connect your air supply hose to
the 3/8” outlet adaptor. Contact
your respirator manufacturer for
the proper fitting (Hansen, Parker,
Snap-Tite, Schrader, Foster, etc.)
(Figure 8).
6. Before connecting your respirator to the air supply hose, turn the
pump on. Allow the air to flow through the pump and hose for a few
minutes to purge or expel any hose odors or moisture that may
have accumulated inside the hose.
7. While outside of the contaminated work area, connect the respirator(s)
to the air supply hose(s) using the quick-disconnect fittings.
8. With the air flowing, put on the respirator by following the
directions in your respirator manufacturer’s instruction manual.
9. Set the pump’s outlet pressure, measured by the pressure gauge
on the pod, to within the respirator’s approved pressure range.
See the respirator’s instruction manual for the approved pressure
range.
The pump has three pressure adjustment locations:
- Pressure relief valve on the pod(s)
- Pressure relief valve on the manifold
- Dump valve on manifold
6
Oper
ating the Fr
ee-Air Pump
�
WARNING
Proper wiring in accordance with local and national electric codes
is the responsibility of the user.
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WARNING
The respirator wearer must NOT enter the contaminated work
area until all of the following steps have been completed.
Figure 5
Figure 8
Figure 7
Figure 6
