Professional Documents
Culture Documents
BS EN
137:1993
Incorporating
Amendment No. 1
Specification for
Respiratory protective
devices:
self-contained
open-circuit
compressed air
breathing apparatus
UDC 614.894-72:620.1:62-777
BS EN 137:1993
Cooperating organizations
Oesterreichisches Normungsinstitut
Institut belge de normalisation
Dansk Standardiseringsraad
Suomen Standardisoimisliito, r.y.
Association franaise de normalisation
Deutsches Institut fr Normung e.V.
Hellenic Organization for Standardization
Technological Institute of Iceland
National Standards Authority of Ireland
Ente Nazionale Italiano di Unificazione
Inspection du Travail et des Mines
Nederlands Normalisatie-instituut
Norges Standardiseringsforbund
Instituto Portugus da Qualidade
Asociacin Espaola de Normalizacin y Certificacin
Standardiseringskommissionen i Sverige
Association suisse de normalisation
British Standards Institution
Amd. No.
Date
Comments
8167
May 1994
BS EN 137:1993
Contents
Cooperating organizations
National foreword
Page
Inside front cover
ii
Foreword
Introduction
1
Scope
2
Normative references
3
Definitions
4
Classification
5
Requirements
6
Testing
7
Marking
8
Instructions for use
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
8
15
15
16
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12
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6
BS EN 137:1993
National foreword
This British Standard has been prepared under the direction of the Personal
Safety Equipment Standards Policy Committee and is the English language
version of EN 137 Respiratory protective devices Self-contained open-circuit
compressed air breathing apparatus Requirements, testing, marking,
published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). It supersedes
BS 7004:1988 which is withdrawn.
EN 137 was produced as a result of international discussions in which the
United Kingdom took an active part.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.
Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
the EN title page, pages 2 to 18, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on
the inside front cover.
ii
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EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 137
NORME EUROPENNE
January 1993
EUROPISCHE NORM
UDC 614.894-72:620.1:62-777
Supersedes EN 137:1986
Descriptors: Accident prevention, personal protective equipment, respiratory protective equipment, compressed air, specifications,
tests, marking
English version
CEN
European Committee for Standardization
Comit Europen de Normalisation
Europisches Komitee fr Normung
Central Secretariat: rue de Stassart 36, B-1050 Brussels
1993 Copyright reserved to CEN members
EN 137:1993
Foreword
This European Standard was prepared by the
Technical Committee CEN/TC 79 Respiratory
protective devices, of which the secretariat is held
by DIN.
This European Standard has been prepared under a
mandate given to CEN by the Commission of the
European Communities and the European Free
Trade Association, and supports essential
requirements of the EC Directive(s).
This European Standard shall be given the status of
a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by
July 1993, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by July 1993.
The Standard was approved and in accordance with
the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the
following countries are bound to implement this
European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Denmark,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway,
Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
United Kingdom.
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EN 137:1993
Introduction
1 Scope
This European Standard refers to self-contained
open-circuit compressed air breathing apparatus
used as respiratory protective devices, except escape
apparatus and diving apparatus. It specifies the
minimum requirements for self-contained
open-circuit compressed air breathing apparatus.
Laboratory and practical performance tests are
included for the assessment of compliance with the
requirements.
2 Normative references
This European Standard incorporates by dated or
undated reference, provisions from other
publications. These normative references are cited
at the appropriate places in the text and the
publications are listed hereafter. For dated
references, subsequent amendments to or revisions
of any of these publications apply to this
European Standard only when incorporated in it by
amendment or revision. For undated references the
latest edition of the publication referred to applies.
EN 132, Respiratory protective devices; Definitions.
EN 134, Respiratory protective devices;
Nomenclature of components.
EN 136, Respiratory protective devices; Full face
masks; Requirements, testing, marking.
EN 136-10, Respiratory protective devices; Full face
masks for special use; Requirements, testing,
marking.
EN 142, Respiratory protective devices; Mouthpiece
assemblies; Requirements, testing, marking.
EN 148-1, Respiratory protective devices; Threads
for facepieces; Standard thread connection.
EN 148-2, Respiratory protective devices; Threads
for facepieces; Centre thread connection.
EN 148-3, Respiratory protective devices; Threads
for facepieces; Thread connection M 45 3.
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4 Classification
Compressed air breathing apparatus are classified
according to the following effective air volumes at a
pressure of 1 bar absolute and a temperature
of 20 C:
at least 500 l
at least 600 l
at least 800 l
at least 1 200 l
at least 1 600 l
at least 2 000 l
5 Requirements
5.1 Design
The apparatus shall be of simple and reliable
construction and as compact as possible. The design
of the apparatus shall be such as to allow its reliable
inspection.
The apparatus shall be sufficiently robust to
withstand the rough usage it is likely to receive in
service.
The apparatus shall be designed so that there are no
protruding parts likely to be caught on projections
in narrow passages.
The finish of any part of the apparatus likely to be
in contact with the wearer shall be free from sharp
edges or burrs.
The apparatus shall be designed so that the wearer
can remove it and, while still wearing the facepiece,
continue to breathe from the apparatus.
The apparatus shall be designed to ensure its full
function in any orientation.
BS EN 137:1993
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EN 137:1993
5.9.2 Temperature-performance
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BS EN 137:1993
Pressure
300 bar
200 bar
100 bar
40 bar
Tolerance
10 bar
10 bar
10 bar
+ 0 bar
5 bar
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EN 137:1993
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BS EN 137:1993
5.22 Facepiece
Only a full face mask in accordance with EN 136 or
a mouthpiece assembly in accordance with EN 142
shall be used.
Testing in accordance with 6.1.
5.23 Breathing resistance
Testing in accordance with 6.6.
5.23.1 Inhalation resistance
5.23.1.1 Without positive pressure
At a sinusoidal flow of 25 2 l/min the inhalation
resistance of an apparatus without facepiece shall
not exceed 4,5 mbar at all cylinder pressures from
maximum filling pressure to 10 bar.
Where a lung governed demand valve is attached to
a full face mask the negative pressure shall not
exceed 7 mbar.
5.23.1.2 With positive pressure
The apparatus shall be designed such that positive
pressure is maintained in the cavity of the mask
adjacent to the face seal. The pressure shall be
positive but not exceed 5 mbar.
At a sinusoidal flow of 40 2,5 l/min this
requirement shall be met at all cylinder pressures
above 20 bar and at a sinusoidal flow of 25 2 l/min
the requirement shall be met down to a cylinder
pressure of 10 bar.
If the apparatus is equipped with a thread connector
in accordance with EN 148-3 then the test rig
described in Annex A.2 should be used.
6 Testing
If no special measuring devices or measuring
methods are specified, commonly used methods and
devices should be applied.
Positive pressure apparatus shall be tested as
complete apparatus including the facepiece as
supplied by the applicant.
6.1 Visual inspection
The visual inspection shall be carried out where
appropriate by the test station prior to laboratory or
practical performance tests. The visual inspection
shall include marking and instructions for use.
6.2 Practical performance tests
Practical performance tests shall be performed with
two apparatus and four test subjects.
6.2.1 Test subjects
The apparatus shall be tested by test subjects
practising regularly with breathing apparatus and
their medical history shall be known to be
satisfactorily. They shall be medically examined
and certified fit to undertake the test procedures.
The necessity of a medical examination immediately
before tests and a medical supervision during the
tests shall be decided by the testing authority.
6.2.2 Apparatus to be tested
For practical performance tests only apparatus
which has passed the laboratory tests shall be used.
6.2.3 Preparation of apparatus to be tested
Before starting each test the apparatus shall be
checked for leak tightness and opening pressure of
the demand valve. The cylinder pressure at the start
of the test shall correspond to the prescribed filling
pressure.
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EN 137:1993
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BS EN 137:1993
2)
Note
Dependent on the gas jet size in the Bunsen burner, the pressure regulator will need to be adjusted in the range 0.3 1.25 bar.
10
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EN 137:1993
3)
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BS EN 137:1993
Figure 2 Arrangement of the six propane burners i.e. with lung governed demand valve
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EN 137:1993
7 Marking
7.1 The manufacturer, supplier or importer shall be
identified by name, trade mark or other means of
identification.
7.2 Type identifying marking
7.3 The number of this European Standard
7.4 Serial number
7.5 Year of manufacture
7.6 Apparatus which meets the recommendations of
Annex A should be marked with an A.
7.7 Where the reliable performance of components
may be affected by ageing, the date (at least the
year) of manufacture shall be marked.
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blank
BS EN 137:1993
National annex NA (informative)
Committees responsible
The United Kingdom participation in the preparation of this European Standard was entrusted by the
Personal Safety Equipment Standards Policy Committee (PSM/-) to Technical Committee PSM/14, upon
which the following bodies were represented:
Asbestos Removal Contractors Association
British Agrochemicals Association Ltd.
British Coal Corporation
British Compressed Air Society
British Nuclear Fuels Limited
British Occupational Hygiene Society
British Pest Control Association
British Telecommunications plc
Chemical Industries Association
Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers Association
Electricity Supply Industry in England and Wales
Engineering Equipment and Materials Users Association
Health and Safety Executive
Home Office
Industrial Safety (Protective Equipment) Manufacturers Association
Institute of Occupational Hygienists
Institute of Occupational Medicine
Institution of Fire Engineers
Institution of Mechanical Engineers
Ministry of Defence
National Association of Fire Officers
Safety Equipment Distributors Association
Trades Union Congress
University of Aberdeen
Coopted member
EN 132:1990
EN 136:1989
BS 7355:1990 Specification for full face masks for respiratory protective devices
EN 136-10
EN 142:1989
EN 148-1:1987
EN 148-2:1987
EN 148-3:1992
BSI 02-1999
BSI
389 Chiswick High Road
London
W4 4AL
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