A new leak test method for enclosed cab filtration systems
By: John A. Organiscak and Michael Schmitz
Contributors: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Office for Mine Safety and Health Research
Series: Report of investigations -- 9690; DHHS (NIOSH) publication -- no. 2012-145; DHHS publication -- no. (NIOSH) 2012-145.; Report of investigations (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) -- IC 9690.
Publisher: Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Office of Mine Safety and Health Research
Published: 2012
Place of publication: Pittsburgh, PA; Spokane, WA
Language: eng
Number of pages: 33
Subjects: Health and hygiene; Analysis; Mining machinery; Mine safety; Ventilation; Miners; Air
Description: "A new test method has been developed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and Clean Air Filter (CAF) for quantifying the outside air leakage into environmental cab filtration systems. This method uses specially configured filter cartridges to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the environmental cab's air filtration system. Real-time gas monitors are used to measure the outside and inside cab CO2 concentrations after the cab reaches steady-state equilibrium conditions inside an unoccupied cab. Cab filtration system leakage can be mathematically determined using the measured cab penetration (inside to outside cab concentration ratio) and the special CO2 filter cartridge efficiency. Examination of several CO2 sampling instruments for this type of testing showed them to be relatively precise, but exhibited noticeable variations in accuracy. These results indicate that frequent gas calibration checks of comparative sampling instruments would be needed to ensure their accuracy, which is not well-suited for cab field testing. Thus, a single-instrument, multiple-sample-location cab testing methodology was devised to eliminate multiple-instrument sampling biases and frequent calibrations during testing. This methodology was examined and can provide accurate measurements of filtration system leakage into enclosed cabs with a precise instrument at or near steady-state test conditions. The new leak test method provides cab manufacturers, cab service personnel, and industrial hygienists with a measurement tool to ensure environmental cab integrity and minimize worker exposure to outside airborne substances." - NIOSHTIC-2
Notes: "May 2012."

Includes bibliographical references (p. 22-23).

Also available via the World Wide Web.
Table of contents: title: Abstract; title: Introduction; title: Examination of CO2 instruments; title: Development of new cab leakage sampling methodology; title: Conclusions; title: References; title: Appendix A. Leakage model for cab filtration system; title: Appendix B. Initial experimental leakage data from cab test stand; title: Appendix C. Refined experimental leakage data from cab test stand; title: Appendix D. Propagation of error analysis for the cab leakage testing methodology