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- info(at)e-breathe.de
- Im Abtsfeld 6, 41066 Mönchengladbach
Working in confined, enclosed spaces such as silos, containers, slurry pits or biogas plants is one of the most dangerous activities in the workplace. These environments often pose a high risk due to:
✔️ Oxygen deficiency
✔️ Explosive gases
✔️ Toxic vapours or biological hazards
DGUV Rule 113-004 – ‘Working in containers, silos and confined spaces’ is a regulation of the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) that regulates occupational health and safety measures for activities in so-called ‘confined spaces’.
It specifically describes the hazards that can arise when entering confined spaces such as containers, silos, shafts or pits – for example, due to oxygen deficiency, explosive gases or limited rescue options – and specifies binding safety measures, protective equipment, rescue concepts and organisational requirements to minimise these risks.
The regulation serves as an important guide for employers, safety specialists and operations managers for the safe planning and execution of such work. If the work involves a risk to the respiratory tract due to hazardous substances or oxygen deficiency and these conditions cannot be prevented by protective measures such as emptying, isolating or ventilating the containers and silos, respiratory protective equipment or personal protective equipment must be used during the work.
Different respiratory protection systems are used depending on the hazard situation:
Filter devices are dependent on the ambient atmosphere and remove pollutants from the air we breathe. They are available in various designs – from half and full masks with mounted filters to filter devices with blowers. The use of filter devices is only permitted if it can be ensured that there is no risk of oxygen deficiency (oxygen content must be above 17 vol.%). Therefore, if necessary, the oxygen concentration must be measured continuously and oxygen deficiency must be indicated by visual or acoustic warning devices.
Isolating devices are independent of the ambient atmosphere and supply breathing air via a breathing connection. A distinction is made between freely portable devices, e.g. with compressed air cylinders (compressed air breathing apparatus), and non-freely portable devices with fresh air or compressed air supply hoses. Work in containers, silos and confined spaces with an oxygen content of less than 17% by volume may only be carried out using self-contained breathing apparatus.
The e-breathe fresh air pressure hose device supports the wearer’s breathing with a respiratory protection blower, thereby relieving the wearer. It belongs to the group of fresh air hose devices. The respiratory protection blower is positioned at the end of the hose in a non-toxic area and securely fastened there. The blower then feeds breathable air into the wearer’s full-face mask via the connected breathing hose. In this way, the full-face mask is constantly supplied with breathable air at positive pressure.
Multifunctional applications of the e-breathe fresh air pressure hose system:
In areas of application where filtering respiratory protection can be used, there is the alternative option of using only the full-face mask with a respiratory protection filter. To do this, the filter is screwed directly into the full-face mask. Another alternative would be to use the full-face mask with the enclosed e-Flow as a blower filter system. The breathing air hose is used to connect the blower directly to the full-face mask. With just one system, the user can thus switch between an environment-independent isolation device or an environment-dependent filter respirator, depending on the area of application.
The required breathing air does not have to be sucked in using the wearer’s own lung power, but is supplied to the wearer via a motor-assisted blower or compressed air. This reduces physical strain.
Compared to other solutions such as compressed air breathing apparatus and fresh air suction hose devices, fresh air pressure hose devices such as the e-breathe FDS offer a longer operating time, shorter recovery time and a longer operating time per work shift. See operating time table.
With fresh air suction hose systems, the user actively sucks in air using their own lung power. This creates negative pressure throughout the system, allowing pollutants to enter through possible leaks. Hose couplings are particularly prone to leakage. With fresh air pressure hose devices, the breathing air is supplied to the person wearing the breathing apparatus at a slight overpressure. There is a constant slight overpressure in both the fresh air supply hose and, for the most part, in the downstream device system. This prevents pollutants from immediately entering the system at possible leak points.
Complies with requirements such as DGUV Rule 113-004 (working in containers, silos and confined spaces).
There is no need to keep compressed air cylinders for compressed air breathing apparatus on hand, and there is no need to refill breathing air cylinders. In addition, the user benefits from a longer operating time that exceeds that of a compressed air cylinder unit.
The e-Line compressed air control valve belongs to the group of compressed air hose devices. It is worn on a belt and, in combination with an e-breathe hood, mask or suit, forms a compressed air-assisted respiratory protection system with continuous air flow. The required compressed air is generated by a compressor, which supplies the compressed air to a filter station in the event of non-breathable and polluted air. The compressed air flowing through the high-pressure network/compressor is converted by the filter station into breathing air for externally ventilated respiratory protection systems.
The treated air is then fed through the e-Line compressed air control valve via a breathing air hose to the user’s headpiece/suit. The resulting overpressure in the headpiece prevents the ingress of pollutants. The system reliably protects the user from pollutants such as particles, dust, mist (aerosols), gases and vapours.
