Oxygen Detection

Oxygen Gas Detectors – Portable gas detectors from a1-cbiss for the detection of low levels of Oxygen (O₂) or fixed gas detection systems to detect oxygen deficiency or oxygen enrichment.

CAS Number: 7782-44-7

Properties of Oxygen

The oxygen (O₂) content in the air is about 21%, in water 88.8%, and in the human body, it is about 65%.

Dangers of Oxygen

Oxygen Deficiency – Oxygen deficiency can arise when using inert gases such as nitrogen, helium, carbon dioxide and argon. Not enough oxygen in the ambient air can be fatal, causing hypoxia (deprivation of adequate oxygen supply for the body.

Oxygen Enrichment – On the other hand, excessive oxygen in the air poses a fire hazard as it lowers the combustion temperature of flammable materials, and it serves as an accelerant.

With both types of risk, it is recommended that the worker has a portable oxygen gas detector attached to their working clothes. It gives an audible and visual alarm if the atmospheric oxygen content is likely to deviate more than 2% from that of normal breathing air.

Where is O₂ Found

Oxygen is the most abundant naturally occurring gas that is discharged into the atmosphere through the process of plant photosynthesis. It is consumed during the respiration process of flora and fauna, photosynthesis in plants, as well as combustion processes.

Essentially, oxygen concentrations are measured in working environments to prevent hypoxia incidents; particularly sites where air often stagnates; for instance: manholes, workshop pits, storage tanks, silos, sewer pipes/conduits, warehouses, holds or galleys (on ships), etc.

Typically, measurement of oxygen is required to be conducted before the day’s work begins and as necessary throughout.

How to Measure Oxygen

Oxygen risks can be measured using various gas detecting products, all designed for a specific purpose;

Personal oxygen detectors (either single gas or multi-gas) can be worn on a person to warn against the threat of imminent danger.

Oxygen monitors can be used as part of a system and are fixed in place to continuously measure oxygen levels within a certain area of a site. This can be to detect dangerous levels as a threat to workers or the actual site.

Oxygen analysers may be used for research purposes to simply measure oxygen levels as part of a site process.

Oxygen Products