Escape Test

DOE-STD-1167-2003

through the helmet should not be carried out if the background noise level

exceeds 74 dBA.

17.2.2 The test operator should connect the breathing air hose to a source of air. An

airflow control valve and a calibrated airflow-measuring instrument should

be used to control and measure the rate of flow of air to the helmet worn by

the suit tester.

17.2.3 During tests conducted to determine the level of noise generated by the flow

of air through the device, the suit tester, wearing the helmet, should stand still

with arms hanging downward along his/her sides, and should breathe

normally.

17.2.4 The test operator should adjust the flow of air going to the helmet being worn

by the suit tester to the minimum airflow specified by the DOE contractor.

The test operator should observe and record the measurement of the noise

level. The test operator should then adjust the flow of the device to the

maximum airflow specified by the DOE contractor. The test operator should

observe and record the measurement of the noise level.

17.2.5 The test operator should compare the noise-level measurement recorded for

the maximum airflow rate in 17.2.4 with the acceptable maximum of 80 dBA.

Should this recorded noise-level measurement be greater than 80 dBA, the

test operator should decrease the rate of flow of air going to the helmet in

increments of 1.0 cfm from the maximum airflow rate specified by the DOE

contractor. The test operator should observe and record the measurement of

the noise level for each airflow rate, and should repeat this step until the

maximum acceptable noise level of 80 dBA is reached.

18.0

Escape Test

(This test is not needed if the suit being tested is fitted with a respiratory protective device to enable the wearer

to breathe in case of failure of the primary air supply.)

Supplied-air suit users should never experience an oxygen concentration of less than 16

percent or the carbon dioxide concentration of greater than 5 percent in an emergency. This

test permits the ERAP Reviewer to determine that contractor's supplied-air suit design and

emergency procedures are adequate to mitigate this scenario.

18.1

Safety Considerations

18.1.1 Air must be restored to the supplied-air suit when the oxygen level drops to

16% or below or the carbon dioxide level rises to 5% or above.

18.1.2 Additional help shall be immediately available to assist the suit tester during

the conduct of this test.

18.2

Test Equipment

18.2.1 Measurements of oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations should be made

using instruments that are capable of drawing a sample from within the

breathing zone of the helmet of the supplied-air suit. The instruments should