CompAir Mako

Breathing Air Standards Summary

Sheet 1 of 6

+ Atmospheric conditions assumed to be 15 C, 1.013 bar a except where indicated by

P 15 C, 1.00 bar a; Q 21 C, 1.013 bar a; R 21.1 C, 1.013 bar a; S 0 C, 1.013 bar a; T 20 C, 1.013 bar a; U 20 C, 1 bar a
() denotes implied value.
Guidance only, refer to standards for latest information.
TLV = threshold limit value.
Country
Specification
Analysis
Maximum impurities
Oxygen
Monitoring requirements /
point / grade
, O2
comments
Carbon monoxide,
Carbon dioxide, CO2
Oil mist
Odour
Water, H2O
Gaseous hydroof air
CO
carbons as
methane, CH4
ppm
+
ppm
+
mg/m3
Dewpoint C
ppm
mg/l
ppm
% V/V
ml/m3
mg/m3
ml/m3
mg/m3
ml/m3
g/m3
ml/m3
Australia
AS 2299:1979
Cylinder
10
11
480
900
1
None
(-39.5)
130
0.100
0.100
20-22
Check every 3 months,
Underwater air
P
P
P
para 5.1.3.1 (g).
breathing
operations.
AS 2568-1982
5
(5.8)
500
(919)
0 condensed
None
At pressure: less
25
20-22
Other maximum
Purity of
T
T
hydrothan minimum
impurities: nitrogen
compressed
carbons
recorded ambient
dioxide NO2 0.5 ml/m3,
medical breathing
temp. or +2 C,
nitrous oxide N2O 5
air.
whichever is
ml/m3, fluorides as
lower
fluoride ion F 1 mg/m3,
halogenated hydrocarbons
refrigerant type 2 ml/m3
- solvent type 0.2 ml/m3,
sulphur dioxide SO2 1
ml/m3, other components
1/10 TLV.
Canada
C.S.A. Z.180.1Air line
5
(5.8)
500
(912)
1
None
At pressure: 10
25
Check before
M1978
Q
Q
Q
C below local
commissioning, para 4.1,
Compressed
min. recorded
and every 6 months, para
breathing air.
ambient temp.
3.3.10.
and no more than
Other maximum
2 C.
impurities: nitrogen
dioxide NO2 0.2 ml/m3,
Above
(-53)
27
0.020
nitrous oxide N2O 5
1400kPa (14
Q
ml/m3, trichlorobar)
difluoromethane 2 ml/m3,
chloro-difluoromethane 2
ml/m3.
Denmark
Ministry of
10
(12)
300
(558)
0.3
None
(-45.5)
(66)
0.05
20-21
Other maximum
Industry Instruction
impurities: nitric oxide
th
No. 48 of 7
and nitrogen dioxide (NO
February 1980:
+ NO2) 0.5 ppm.
Instruction on
diving equipment.
France
Ministre du
7.1
1425
0.5
None
Professional subaqua
Travail Decree No.
diving check every 12
90-277 du 28.3.90
months
France
N.F.S. 76001
Cylinder
0.3
None
- 47
0.050
Respiratory protective
EN 132
200 bar
devices.
Cylinder
- 52
0.030
300 bar
Germany
DIN 3188: Sept
Compressor
30
(36)
1000
(1861)
None
(-51)
(33)
0.025
20-21
1981 Compressed
Cylinder
(-45.5)
(66)
0.050
air for respiratory
200 bar
equipment, safety
Cylinder
(-48)
(46)
0.035
requirements and
300 bar
testing.
NATO
STANAG 3611,
10
(12)
500
(931)
5 (oil and
None
(-53)
(27)
0.02
Other maximum
Edition No. 2,
particulate
impurities: toxic or
Amdt No. 2, 28
matter)
irritating substances less

CompAir Mako

Breathing Air Standards Summary

Sheet 2 of 6

+ Atmospheric conditions assumed to be 15 C, 1.013 bar a except where indicated by

P 15 C, 1.00 bar a; Q 21 C, 1.013 bar a; R 21.1 C, 1.013 bar a; S 0 C, 1.013 bar a; T 20 C, 1.013 bar a; U 20 C, 1 bar a
() denotes implied value.
Guidance only, refer to standards for latest information.
TLV = threshold limit value.
Country
Specification
Analysis
Maximum impurities
Oxygen
Monitoring requirements /
point / grade
, O2
comments
Carbon monoxide,
Carbon dioxide, CO2
Oil mist
Odour
Water, H2O
Gaseous hydroof air
CO
carbons as
methane, CH4
ppm
+
ppm
+
mg/m3
Dewpoint C
ppm
mg/l
ppm
% V/V
ml/m3
mg/m3
ml/m3
mg/m3
ml/m3
g/m3
ml/m3
April 1977,
than hazardous levels.
Compressed
breathing air
characteristics
(agreement).
STANAG 1079,
10
(12)
500
(931)
2
(-45.5)
(66)
0.05
20-22
Free of dust or other
Edition No. 3, 8
foreign matter.
July 1981, MCM
diving breathing
gases and
interchange-ability
of gas cylinders
and compression
chambers.
Netherlands
Arbeidsinspectie
Compressor
5
(5.9)
1000
(1861)
None
(-51)
(33)
0.025
20-21
No condensation in
P112-1: Issue four
cylinder at ambient
Cylinder
(-45.5)
(66)
0.050
1985, Respirators
temperature and highest
200 bar
synopsis and use.
permissible pressure.
Cylinder
(-48)
(46)
0.035
Substances to be no higher
300 bar
than 20% of TLV.
New Zealand
NZS 5813: 1982
Cylinder /
10
11
480
900
1
None
(-39.5)
130
0.100
20-22
Check compressor set
Underwater
compressor
P
P
P
P
before filling, para 14.5.2.
swimming
set
Continuous sampling of
equipment.
cylinders, para 14.5.3 (a).
South Africa
SABS 019-1985
Up to 20
10
(12)
500
(915)
1
(-45.3)
(67)
0.05
20-22
Other maximum
Portable metal
MPa (200
T
T
T
T
impurities: solid particles
containers for
bar) 0.5 mg/m3, hydrogen
compressed gases:
cylinder
sulphide H2S 10 ppm
Basic design
(ml/m3).
Over 20
(-49.2)
(47)
0.035
criteria, use and
MPa (200
T
maintenance.
bar) to 30
MPa (300
bar) cylinder
Sweden
Arbetarskydds200 at (196
20
(24)
3
(-45.5)
(66)
0.05
For oil lubricated
styrelsens
bar)
compressors check every
Anvisningar Nr.
100 hours, para VI/A/2.
300 at (294
(-50)
(39)
0.03
45:5:1975
bar)
UK
BS 4001: Pt 1:
Cylinder
10
11
500
900
1
None
(-24.7)
(656)
0.5 ##
Check at least every 6
1981 Care and
months, para A.2.
maintenance of
Free from dust, dirt or
underwater
metallic particles and any
breathing apparatus
other toxic or irritating
ingredients.
Recommendations
## Below 4 C air will
for the compressed
need to be dried to prevent
air open circuit
freezing.
type
BS 4001: Pt 2:
Air line
4.4 C at
Check every 3 months,

CompAir Mako

Breathing Air Standards Summary

Sheet 3 of 6

+ Atmospheric conditions assumed to be 15 C, 1.013 bar a except where indicated by

P 15 C, 1.00 bar a; Q 21 C, 1.013 bar a; R 21.1 C, 1.013 bar a; S 0 C, 1.013 bar a; T 20 C, 1.013 bar a; U 20 C, 1 bar a
() denotes implied value.
Guidance only, refer to standards for latest information.
TLV = threshold limit value.
Country
Specification
Analysis
Maximum impurities
Oxygen
Monitoring requirements /
point / grade
, O2
comments
Carbon monoxide,
Carbon dioxide, CO2
Oil mist
Odour
Water, H2O
Gaseous hydroof air
CO
carbons as
methane, CH4
ppm
+
ppm
+
mg/m3
Dewpoint C
ppm
mg/l
ppm
% V/V
ml/m3
mg/m3
ml/m3
mg/m3
ml/m3
g/m3
ml/m3
1967 Care and
pressure
para A.7.(6).
maintenance of
Free from dust, dirt or
underwater
metallic particles and any
breathing apparatus
other toxic or irritating
- Standard diving
ingredients.
equipment.
UK
BS 4275: 1997
Up to 40 bar
5
(6)
500
(915)
0.5
None
# Pressure
20-23
Check at least once a
Guide to
U
U
dewpoint 5 C
month, para C.5.2.
implementing an
below likely
Other impurities 1/10
effective
lowest
TLV.
respiratory
temperature
# No free liquid water.
protective device
Dewpoint must not exceed
40 to 200
(-47.1)
(67)
0.05
programme
11 C
bar
U
Above 200
(-50.1)
(47)
0.035
bar
U
Compressor
(-52.9)
(33)
0.025
filling
U
cylinders
BS EN 132: 1986
Air line
None *
Above freezing
* Note threshold odour is
Glossary of terms
in the region of 0.3 mg/m3.
Self
(-45.5)
(66)
0.050
for respiratory
contained
protective devices.
200 bar
Self
(-50)
(39)
0.030
contained
300 bar
BS EN 12021:
Air line
15
(17.5)U
500
(915)
0.5
None
# Pressure
20-22
No contaminants at a
1999 Respiratory
U
dewpoint 5 C
concentration that can
protective devices
below likely
cause harmful effects.
Compressed air for
lowest
breathing
temperature
apparatus.
40 to 20 bar
(-47.1)
(67)
0.05
U
Above 200
(-50.1)
(47)
0.035
bar
U
Compressor
(-52.9)
(33)
0.025
filling 200
U
or 300 bar
cylinders
UK
BSAC Diving
5
(5.9)
300
(558)
1
None
4.4 at pressure
20.5Other impurities: nitrogen
manual, 1987
(represents
21.5
N2 as atmospheric,
(Sport diving)
-50 C at 300
(38)
(0.029)
nitrogen dioxide NO2 1
bar,
ppm, nitrous oxide N2O 1
-46 C at 200
(64)
(0.048)
ppm, solid particles none
bar atmospheric
on 3.4 to 5 micron filter
dewpoint
after passing 5 litres of air.
DEFSTAN 16-8/3
Cylinder
10
(12)
500
(931)
5
None
(-61)
(9.2)
0.007
30
20-24
Other maximum
May 1977
impurities: toxic or
Compressed
irritating substances less
breathing air for
than hazardous levels,

CompAir Mako

Breathing Air Standards Summary

Sheet 4 of 6

+ Atmospheric conditions assumed to be 15 C, 1.013 bar a except where indicated by

P 15 C, 1.00 bar a; Q 21 C, 1.013 bar a; R 21.1 C, 1.013 bar a; S 0 C, 1.013 bar a; T 20 C, 1.013 bar a; U 20 C, 1 bar a
() denotes implied value.
Guidance only, refer to standards for latest information.
TLV = threshold limit value.
Country
Specification
Analysis
Maximum impurities
Oxygen
Monitoring requirements /
point / grade
, O2
comments
Carbon monoxide,
Carbon dioxide, CO2
Oil mist
Odour
Water, H2O
Gaseous hydroof air
CO
carbons as
methane, CH4
ppm
+
ppm
+
mg/m3
Dewpoint C
ppm
mg/l
ppm
% V/V
ml/m3
mg/m3
ml/m3
mg/m3
ml/m3
g/m3
ml/m3
aircraft systems
particulate 10 micron.
DEFSTAN 68-75/3
Cylinder
10
(12)
500
(931)
1.0
None
(-24.7)
(656)
0.5
30
20-22
Check at intervals
June 1995
specified by regulating
Compressed
authority.
breathing gases for
Other non-toxic gases less
diving and life
than 1%. Any toxic or
support equipment.
irritating substances 1/10
TLV. Particles at point of
delivery
1-3 um 0.6 particles/ml
3-10 um 0.1 particles/ml
>10 um 0.04 particles/ml
HTM 22: 1977
Air line
5
5.5
500
900
0.5
None
-40
(127)
(0.097)
Check during
Piped medical
terminals
commissioning, para 247.
gases, medical
compressed air and
medical vacuum
installations.

U.S.A.

Compressed Gas
Association G-7.1,
3rd Ed, 1989,
Commodity
specification for
air.

D (OSHA
workplace)

20

(23)
R

1000

(1830)
R

5
R

None

Self contained breathing apparatus

-45.6
63
(0.047)
R

E (minimum
for sports
diving)

10

(12)
R

500

(915)
R

5
R

None

Self contained breathing apparatus

-45.6
63
(0.047)
R

(6)
R

500

(915)
R

None

Self contained breathing apparatus

-45.6
63
(0.047)
R

15

(1.2)
R

0.5

(0.91)
R

None

-75.6

0.5

-36.1

200

None

-47.8

50

None

-68.9

K
L
M

(1.2)

(1.8)

(0.0007
4)
R

25

(0.0022

Atm or
19.5
23.5
syntheti
c
Atm or
20 22
syntheti
c
Atm or
19.5
23.5
syntheti
c
Atm or
19.5
23.5
Atm or
19.5
23.5
Atm or
19.5
23.5
Atm or

All grades:
Check by supplier of air,
para 2.2.
Other maximum
impurities:
Grade G:
Nitrogen dioxide NO2 2.5
ppm, sulphur dioxide SO2
2.5 ppm, halogenated
solvents 10 ppm.
Grade J:
Nitrogen dioxide NO2 0.1
ppm, nitrous oxide N20 0.1
ppm, sulphur dioxide SO2
0.1 ppm, halogenated
solvents 0.1 ppm,
acetylene C2H2 0.05 ppm.
Grade M:
Nitrogen dioxide and
nitric oxide NO2 + NO 0.5

CompAir Mako

Breathing Air Standards Summary

Sheet 5 of 6

+ Atmospheric conditions assumed to be 15 C, 1.013 bar a except where indicated by

P 15 C, 1.00 bar a; Q 21 C, 1.013 bar a; R 21.1 C, 1.013 bar a; S 0 C, 1.013 bar a; T 20 C, 1.013 bar a; U 20 C, 1 bar a
() denotes implied value.
Guidance only, refer to standards for latest information.
TLV = threshold limit value.
Country
Specification
Analysis
Maximum impurities
Oxygen
Monitoring requirements /
point / grade
, O2
comments
Carbon monoxide,
Carbon dioxide, CO2
Oil mist
Odour
Water, H2O
Gaseous hydroof air
CO
carbons as
methane, CH4
ppm
+
ppm
+
mg/m3
Dewpoint C
ppm
mg/l
ppm
% V/V
ml/m3
mg/m3
ml/m3
mg/m3
ml/m3
g/m3
ml/m3
R
R
)
19.5
ppm.
R
23.5
Grade N:
N (USP
10
(12)
500
(915)
None
None
Atm or
Nitrogen dioxide and
medical)
R
R
19.5
nitric oxide NO2 + NO 2.5
23.5
ppm, sulphur dioxide SO2
5 ppm.
Coast Guard
commercial diving
operations: 1978
U.S.A.

Federal Spec. BBA-1034a: Dec 1970

Compressed air for
breathing purposes.

MIL-A-27420
(USAF) 30 April
1970 Air, liquid,
for breathing
purposes

Grade A
Cylinder
Grade B
Cylinder
Grade C
Compressor
Grade D
Compressor
Grade A
High purity

20

(23)
R

1000

(1823)
R

5
R

None

10

(12)
R
(12)
R
(12)
R
(12)
R
(6)
R

500

(912)
R
(1823)
R
(912)
R
(1823)
R
(9)
R

5
R
5
R
5
R
5
R
1000 liquid
particulate

None

(-53)

(27)

None

-29

(402)

None

(-53)

(27)

None

-29

(402)

None

-53.9

23.0

10
10
10
5

1000
500
1000
5

Grade B
Ordinary
purity
O.S.H.A.
Commercial diving
operations 1977
U.S. Navy diving
manual Vol. 1,
NAVSEA 0994LP-001-9010,
change 2, June
1978

SCUBA and
surface
supplied air.

None
20

(23)
R

1000

(1823)
R

5
R

None

20

(25)
S

1000

(1837)
S

5
particulates
S

None

0.02
R
0.3
R
0.02
R
0.3
R
0.017
R

25

20-22

Check every 6 months and

after maintenance, para
197.450 (a).

25

20-22

Continuous sampling, para

4.3.2.
Other maximum
impurities: Grades A & C
only: halogenated solvents
(trichloroethylene and
freon) 0.2 ppm.

19-23
25

20-22
19-23

25

19.5-23

60

19.5-23

Unsaturated hydrocarbons:
acetylene 0.1 ppm,
ethylene 0.4 ppm,
halogenated hydrocarbons
trychloroethylene, etc
1ppm, nitrogen dioxide
NO2 0.5 ppm, sulphur
dioxide SO2 0.5 ppm.

Every 6 months, para

1910, 430 (4).
Saturated

25

20-22

Sample at intervals not

exceeding six months,
appendix M.