The Breather Box™
THE INDUSTRY'S STANDARD IN HIGH PERFORMANCE PORTABLE GRADE-D BREATHING AIR FILTRATION SYSTEMS

These portable Grade-D filtration systems are designed to provide breathing air for a specific number of workers. The system filters inlet air to provide respirator users Grade-D quality air. The first stage filters bulk water and particulate, second stage coalescing filter eliminates atomized oils, mists, and ultra-fine particulates, third stage removes organic vapors and odors. Filter change indicators are standard on all three stages. Filter efficiency is 99.99% @ .01 microns. A built-in carbon monoxide monitor operates on 9-volt DC, dual 8 - 16 volt DC or 115 VAC for continuous detection. An external alarm and light signals the worker of high CO content. Point-of-Attachment (POA) boxes can extend respirator usage beyond 300 feet. All Breather Box™ models are designed to be used in the closed position to prevent internal contamination. All portable and fixed breathing air filtration systems meet or exceed U.S. and Canadian breathing air standards. Federal OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134 "Compressor Operations for Breathing Air" Army Corps of Engineers EM385-1-1, paragraph 07b-11-4, "Compressed Breathing Air"

Model BB50-CO ALL PORTABLE AND FIXED BREATHING AIR FILTRATION SYSTEMS MEET OR EXCEED OSHA 1910.134 AND CANADIAN Z180.1 BREATHING AIR STANDARDS

Download User Manual Click to Print Specifications Ordering Information Basic Elements of a Breathing Air System Calibrating the CO Monitor Breathing Air Quality Position Statement Auto-Air Feature Grade-D Filtration Online Training

APPROVED INTRINSICALLY SAFE BREATHER BOX™ MODELS ARE AVAILABLE.  THESE UNITS ARE APPROVED FOR CLASS I, DIVISION I, GROUPS C AND D ENVIRONMENTS.  UNITS ARE "DC" (9-VOLT) OPERATION ONLY.

SPECIFICATIONS   ·1st Stage Filter with filter change indicator Bulk Water and Particulate Removal ·2nd Stage Filter with filter change indicator Oil Coalescing and Ultra-Fine Particulate Filtration ·3rd Stage Filter with filter change indicator Organic Vapor and Odor Removal   ·2-year Full Warranty on Sensor and Monitor   ·Automatic Drains on 1st and 2nd Stage   ·In-Line Carbon Monoxide Monitor   ·Optional CO/O2 Monitor   ·Optional Intrinsically Safe Model, 9-volt DC   ·Electro-Chemical Sensor for Specific   ·Dual 9-volt Battery Operation, 8-16 VDC and / or 115 Volt AC   ·Filter Change Indicator on All 3 filters except BB15-CO Series.  BB15-CO series had filter change indicator installed on second stage only ·125 psi Safety Relief Valve   ·Solid Aluminum Block Manifold   ·0-160 psi Pressure Gauge   ·Flowmeter to Verify Air Flow to Monitor   ·External Case Mounted Warning Lights and Alarm    ·Remote DC Alarm Jack with Cover Cap Except BB15-CO Series   ·Over 40 Custom Variations Available

Back to top ▲

Typical Elements of a Breathing Air System

   COMPRESSOR                  GRADE-D FILTRATION        AIR DISTRIBUTION (POA)      RESPIRATOR

The above pictured items make up a typical Grade-D breathing air system.  Depending on the number of workers to be served by the system and whether the system needs to be portable or a fixed plant system, the size and complexity of the system may change.  However, the basic elements above must be present.  In order to properly size the breathing air system, it is absolutely essential that the user’s first decision is to decide the type and quantity of airline respirator(s) to be used.  A quick recap of the airline respirator types and their required flow and pressure requirements is essential.  All airline respirators are referred to by NIOSH as Type-C or Type-CE respirators.  NIOSH approved CE respirators are designed for abrasive blasting but still require the same air flow as Type-C respirators.  

CONSULT RESPIRATOR MANUFACTURE FOR EXACT OPERATING PRESSURES AND FLOW!

Constant Flow Airline Respirators:  
Hoods - 15psi maximum, 15cfm
Half Tight Fitting Masks, 15psi, 6-8cfm
Full Face Tight Fitting Respirators - 15psi, 6-8cfm

Pressure Demand Airline Respirators:  Requires 2 - 4 cfm air flow per person at pressures between 80 - 120psi for all pressure demand style masks.

*Note:  Pressure remains the same for multiple users wearing respirators of the same type; cfm multiplies depending on the number of worker and the flow their respirators demand.

Click here for our airline respirator online overview.

TYPE OF COMPRESSOR:

Choose either a fixed plant air system or portable compressor.  Using the CFM flow requirements per worker noted above, select an adequate size of compressor.  Portable compressors will typically be available up to 4 workers without exceeding 115VAC requirements for general use.  Larger portable compressors are available but will require a minimum voltage of 230 single or triple phase current.  For international usage, it may be required to determine the proper Hertz(Hz) to accommodate the required electrical system in the country of use.   Ambient air pumps are small portable compressors that deliver a maximum of 15psi and are designed for use with constant flow respirators only.  Make sure that the respirator selected operates in a pressure range below 15psi. 

If a pressure demand respirator is required, Air Systems’ Twin-Air style of compressor can be used to deliver up to 110psi air pressure. 

If you have any questions about choosing the proper compressor, contact Air Systems’ Customer Service Department to assist in your selection of the right compressor.  We also have a handy Plant Compressor Quote Form on this web site to assist with your selection.

Click here for our Compressor online overview.

GRADE-D FILTRATION:

Once the compressor is selected, choose a portable or fixed Grade-D filtration unit to meet your application.  Again, the number of workers to be served and the type of respirator(s) used will be required to calculate the Total CFM capacity of the unit.  Portable or fixed filtration units contain the filter system, air distribution, and CO/O2 monitoring systems required to make a total breathing air system.  Other components, e.g. refrigerated dryers or final filtration, may be required depending on the complexity of the system and work environment.  Air Systems’ Customer Service Department can assist on the design or recommendations for any size system.

Click here for our Grade-D Filtration online overview

AIR DISTRIBUTION (POINT OF ATTACHMENT):

The air distribution portion of the Grade-D system contains the pressure regulator, gauge, safety relief valve, air manifold, and the respirator manufacturer’s required airline fittings or quick connect couplings.  All of Air Systems’ portable and fixed Grade-D filtration units contain an air distribution system.  The regulator supplies the respirator with the required pressure to operate the respirator with the user’s desired length of air hose attached to the unit.  The couplings become the Point of Attachment (POA) and NIOSH states that the maximum length of hose allowed to be attached to the couplings for an airline respirator can not exceed 300 feet from this point.  In the event that the workers need to be farther than 300 feet from the filtration unit, a POA box can be purchased to move the air distribution portion of the system farther away without compromising the NIOSH 300 ft rule.  The POA box allows the workers to attach their respirators and adjust their pressure regulator to the proper psi requirements at great distances from the filtration unit.

Back to top ▲

BREATHING AIR QUALITY POSITION STATEMENT
The responsibility for the quality of breathing air rests with the user. Compliance with federal, state, or local regulations is the responsibility of the user, and this recommendation does not supersede any existing rules, regulations, or laws which may apply. Breathing air filtration products meet or exceed CGA Grade-D specifications for air quality as adopted by Federal OSHA. Compressor air quality standards meet or exceed OSHA 1910.134 requirements. When the components are used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and recommendations, the "system" meets or exceeds federal regulations presently in force. It is incumbent upon the user to comply with any changes in the regulations or law which may occur in future situations.
The air supply compressor should be located in a safe, clean ambient air environment. This "safe" location should be tested periodically using proper instruments to ensure clean ambient air quality on a consistent basis. Total system Grade-D air quality should be tested at initial start up. If the compressor is moved, retesting air quality is recommended. Should the location or environment significantly change, the air quality should be retested. The compressor filters and oil level should be checked daily and changed when contaminated or when the maximum number of "run" hours is achieved.
This series of air filtration units should be used according to the manufacturer's recommendations. The standard filtration package is not explosion-proof and should be located in a non-explosive environment. (An intrinsically safe model is available).  The carbon monoxide monitor should be calibrated monthly or if the accuracy of the monitor is in question. System air quality should be tested for, but not limited to, the following Grade-D air components:

CO - Carbon Monoxide
O2 - Oxygen
CO2 - Carbon Dioxide
H2O - Water (Moisture Content)
Hydrocarbons (Oil Mist)
Total Particulates

The maximum allowable level of these air quality components varies depending on
Grade-D or E requirements.
Our Breathing Air compressors and filtration systems meet all of the following federal
specifications when used and serviced in accordance with our instructions:

Federal OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134
"Compressor Operations for Breathing Air"

Army Corps of Engineers EM385-1-1,
paragraph 07b-11-4,
"Compressed Breathing Air"

Back to top ▲

ORDERING INFORMATION Please specify Hansen Or Schrader fittings when ordering. Other fittings available for an additional charge.
	***DON'T FORGET TO ORDER YOUR CO MONITOR CALIBRATION KIT***
Standard Portable Models
BB15-CO		Standard Breather Box™ - 15 cfm with 1 respirator coupling
BB30-CO		Standard Breather Box™ - 30 cfm with 2 respirator couplings
BB30-CO3		Standard Breather Box™ - 30 cfm with 3 respirator couplings
BB50-CO		Standard Breather Box™ - 50 cfm with 4 respirator couplings
BB75-CO		Standard Breather Box™ - 75 cfm with 6 respirator couplings
BB100-CO		Standard Breather Box™ - 100 cfm with 4 respirator couplings
BB100-CO8		Standard Breather Box™ - 100 cfm with 8 respirator couplings
BB150-CO		Breather Box™ - 150 cfm supplied with 3 each 1/2" sockets, no regulator
Carbon Monoxide & Oxygen Monitoring
BB50-COO2		Standard Breather Box™ - 50 cfm with 4 respirator couplings and Carbon Monoxide & Oxygen Monitoring
BB100-COO2		Standard Breather Box™ - 100 cfm with 4 respirator couplings and Carbon Monoxide & Oxygen Monitoring Note:  All Models available with CO/O2 monitor
Independent Regulators
BB50-CO4R		Standard Breather Box™ - 50 cfm with 4 independent regulators, pressure gauges and respiratory couplings
BB100-CO4R		Standard Breather Box™ - 100 cfm with 4 independent regulators, pressure gauges and respiratory couplings
Intrinsically Safe Models Approved
BB30-COIS		Intrinsically Safe Breather Box™ - 30 cfm with 2 respiratory couplings
BB50-COIS		Intrinsically Safe Breather Box™ - 50 cfm with 4 respiratory couplings
BB100-COIS		Intrinsically Safe Breather Box™ - 100 cfm with 4 respiratory couplings

Back to top ▲