Welcome to Merlin, AO Safety's estimated cartridge service life calculator. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that respirator cartridges be replaced at pre-determined intervals pursuant to a cartridge change-out schedule. This calculator provides guidance in establishing change-out schedules by estimating the service life of AO Safety chemical cartridges.

DO NOT PROCEED UNTIL YOU READ AND UNDERSTAND

ALL THE WARNINGS AND LIMITATIONS LISTED

To calculate an estimated breakthrough time you will need to obtain the following information:
  • Names of airborne contaminant(s).
  • The maximum concentration of contaminant (s) in the workplace in units of parts per million (ppm) or milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3). You should calculate this as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA).
  • The maximum humidity expected in the workplace.
  • The maximum temperature expected in the workplace.
  • The work rate (volumetric flow rate) in units of liters per minute (LPM). This reflects the type of work being performed, with office work giving typical work rates of about 20 LPM and heavy work giving work rates in excess of 60 LPM.
  • The work rate (Light, Medium, Heavy).

WARNING

The accuracy of the calculated breakthrough time will depend upon the quality of the estimate of the workplace concentration(s). Failure to input site condition data accurately will result in unreliable service time estimates and change schedules, exposing the respirator user to the risk to the risk of serious injury, illness or death.

LIMITATIONS AND WARNINGS

1) This program should be used as a guide for determining an appropriate respirator cartridge change-out schedule and not as a respirator selection tool.
2) The data presented applies only to AO Safety respirators. Do not use this program to estimate service life for other respirator manufacturers' chemical cartridges.
3) Failure to input accurate site specific data will result in unreliable cartridge change out schedules and service time estimates, exposing the user to the risk of overexposure resulting in serious personal injury or death.
4) Do not use air purifying respirators in Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) atmospheres, irrespective of any change out schedule or service life calculations performed.
5) You should apply a safety factor (reductions to an estimated service life to ensure that the actual service life will not be exceeded) to any estimate to account for uncertainty.
6) Use service time estimates for atmospheres containing mixtures of contaminants with caution. Actual service time for gases or vapors in a mixture may be substantially less than if calculated for a gas or vapor present alone in the atmosphere.
7) Warning properties should be considered when establishing a cartridge change schedule. Change schedules for contaminants with poor warning properties may require a greater safety factor than a contaminant with good warning properties.
8) For organic vapors with a boiling point less than 158 degrees F (70 degrees C), it is recommended that the organic vapor cartridge never be used longer than one shift, even if the estimated service life is greater. Organic vapors may desorb from the charcoal in the cartridge when not in use (overnight). Desorption (i.e., the process of a contaminant being released by the cartridge). Factors that can influence migration include volatility, water vapor co-adsorption, amount of contaminant adsorbed, and storage time.
9) The calculated service life is only an estimate and must be used with caution. The actual cartridge service life can vary as much as +/- 50% from the calculated cartridge service life.

WARRANTY LIMITATION

This calculator was developed using the most recent testing data available to AO Safety. AO Safety makes no warranty that the information used to prepare this calculator, or the calculations obtained by users, is truly accurate, and makes no warranties that extend beyond the description on the face hereof. AO SAFETY MAKES NO WARRANTY AS TO MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

AO Safety shall have no liability for any loss, damage or injury to person or property, whether direct, indirect, incidental or consequential, arising from the use of this calculator.

 

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