The ABCs of Confined

Space Safety

Because every life has a purpose

Using Gas Monitors in Confined Spaces

MSA 2012

Stuart Becker
Sales Manager Chicago

MSA 2012

Because every life has a purpose

Confined Space Dangers

An average of 92 workers
are killed each year in
confined space accidents

Rescuers make up 60% of

confined space fatalities
4

MSA 2012

Because every life has a purpose

Confined Space Hazards

Presence of toxic gases
Oxygen deficiency or enrichment
Potential for engulfment
Flammable gas above 10% LEL
Mechanical Devices
Physical Obstacles
Sloped floors which may pin &
cause asphyxiation

Any potential for IDLH

atmospheres

MSA 2012

Because every life has a purpose

Key Definitions
Hazardous Atmosphere
An atmosphere that may pose a
risk of death, incapacitation,
impairment of the ability to selfrescue, or acute illness.

MSA 2012

Flammable gas, vapor or mist >

10% of LEL
Oxygen < 19.5% or > 23.5%
Airborne combustible dust that
meets LFL
Atmospheric concentration of
substance in excess of OSHA
PELs in Subpart G or Z
Any other condition that is
considered IDLH

Because every life has a purpose

What is LEL?
Below Lower
Explosive Limit not enough fuel to
ignite
Above Upper
Explosive Limit not enough oxygen
Between LEL and
UEL -atmosphere is
explosive

MSA 2012

Because every life has a purpose

Gases Have Different

Molecular Weights
METHANE

(Lighter Than Air)

CARBON MONOXIDE

(Same Molecular Weight As Air)

HYDROGEN SULFIDE
(Heavier Than Air)

Need to sample at all levels in confined space

MSA 2012

Because every life has a purpose

Atmospheric Testing
Initial testing shall be completed
with the ventilation systems shut
down.
Further testing shall be
conducted with ventilation turned
on
Conducted in a manner that
represents the atmosphere
throughout the confined space

MSA 2012

Because every life has a purpose

Calibration and Bump Testing

Instrument Reliability
Verification
Calibration shall be
conducted according to the
manufacturers
recommendations
At a minimum, a function
check (e.g., bump test) shall
be done prior to each days
use.

10

An instrument maintenance
record shall be maintained.
MSA 2012

Because every life has a purpose

Galaxy GX2 - Instrument

Fleet Management
Why use an Automated (GX2) Test System?
Ease of Use
Fully automated making bump testing and calibration so easy, that anyone
can do it
Electronic cylinder holder allows customers to be up and running with no
setup required

Proactive Safety
Track bump testing and calibrations for instrument fleet
Download instrument data logs and send automatic emails when action is
required

Best Total Cost of Ownership

Track gas usage, gas expiration, end of sensor life warnings, sensor
replacements, and instrument history to reduce down-time and overall
maintenance costs
Optimized for use with Xcell sensors yielding fastest test times in the
market!

MSA 2012

Because every life has a purpose

The Leader in Sensor

Technology

MSA 2012

Because every life has a purpose

XCell Sensor

Designed and built by MSA

MSA IS Advancing Sensor Technology!
Our sensors are designed for OUR instruments!
We have the experts to support YOU!

MSA 2012

Because every life has a purpose

XCell Ex Sensor
XCell Ex - Catalytic Combustible Sensor
4-Year Life, Fast Response, Very Durable
Only industry sensor with two detector beads (Patent Pending)

Only one bead active at a time doubles working life of sensor

Patent-Pending metal alloy support wire for increased

durability
More poison resistance to silicones and sulfur compounds
Fast T(90) response time, Typical < 10 sec CH4

MSA 2012

Because every life has a purpose

XCell O2 Sensor
XCell O2 - Oxygen Sensor
>4-Year Life, Fast Response, Very Durable
Long life from patent-pending Lead Free sensor design

Nothing is consumed in the chemical reaction

Most other sensors die at 2-years when enough lead is converted

Fast T(90) response time, Typical < 10 sec O2

MSA 2012

Because every life has a purpose

Confined Space: Why

MSA is Simply the Best
MSA provides the best portable instrument solutions!
Speed of response, advantages of faster alarming

Humans average walking speed = 83m per min

t90 avg response time of big 4

Xcell Sensors = 10-15 sec (~20m into the CS)
Industry avg = 25-30 sec (>40m into the CS)
Action can be taken in half the time in potential life-threatening

situations!

Best Total Cost of Ownership

Longer Sensor Life

Calibration Gas Flow Rate

We have the best gas detection instruments in the market!

Reliable, durable and easy to use

MSA 2012

Because every life has a purpose

Industry first Big 5

Bump & Calibration
Industry first LEL, O2, H2S, CO, SO2 bump and
calibration using a single cylinder
Bump test time 10 seconds
Calibration time 60 seconds

Why are we first?

XCell SO2 sensor T90 response time is
6 times faster than industry average
Slower SO2 calibration times cause long exposures of
H2S which will kill/poison the LEL sensor

MSA 2012

Because every life has a purpose

Altair 4X and Altair 5X

Using the Right Tool

Pump or Diffusion

MSA 2012

Because every life has a purpose

Advanced Features
MSA exclusive MotionAlert feature
Indicates man down
MSA exclusive InstantAlert feature
Activates all alarms when desired
Sensor End Of Service Life Indicator
4-6 Week advanced Warning
Most rugged instrument in its class
10-foot drop 5X
20-foot drop 4X
Bump checkmark (24 hrs)
Displays successful test result
MSA 2012

Because every life has a purpose

Altair 4X Multigas Detector

Personal 4-gas monitor
LEL, O2, CO,H2S
Rechargeable lithium-polymer
battery

24 hour run time

Standard:
Data Log
Pass Device
Extreme Environment Tested
20 ft drop test
IP 67 Third Party Tested
MSA 2012

Because every life has a purpose

Industry Leading
Standard 3-year warranty
Sensors
Electronics
Battery
Sulfur Dioxide detection now available
in the Altair 4X!
Combined with Low Concentration
H2S channel Standard
H2 resistant Co Sensor

MSA 2012

Because every life has a purpose

Altair 5X Multigas Detector

Only Instrument in its class with
internally integrated pump!
Multi-gas monitor
Detects up to 6 gases: combustible, O2, H2S,
CO, SO2, CO2 & additional toxic gases

MSA 2012

Rechargeable lithium-ion battery

Alkaline pack available as an accessory
Color or monochrome display option
Multilingual

Because every life has a purpose

Remote Sampling
Redundant Filter System for Instrument Protection
Probe Filter
Instrument Filter

Speed -1 Second Per foot of sampling line

Also allow for sensor response

Quick Connect
Up to 100 FT

Specialty Applications
Dilution Tube

MSA 2012

Inert Testing

Because every life has a purpose

Warranty
Standard 3-year warranty
LEL, O2, CO, H2S, SO2, IR Sensors

Electronics
Battery

2-year warranty
NH3 and Cl2 Sensors

Other sensors warranted for at least 12 months

MSA 2012

Because every life has a purpose

Your Turn: Ask the Expert

Stuart Becker
Territory Sales Manager
1-800-672-2222
Stuart.Becker@msasafety.com
www.MSAsafety.com

Magid Contact
Contact your local Magid sales rep at:
1-800-444-8030
marketing@magidglove.com
www.magidglove.com

Thank You!
The ABCs of Confined Space Safety