National Institutes of Health

Protocol for Use and Maintenance of Oxygen Monitoring

Devices

Revised: May 2010

Technical Assistance Branch

Division of Occupational Health and Safety
Office of Research Services
 National Institutes of Health Protocol for Use and Maintenance of Oxygen Monitoring
Devices

INTRODUCTION

This protocol has been established at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to:

1) Provide guidance on the installation, maintenance, and calibration of oxygen

monitoring devices in animal and laboratory areas in all NIH owned and leased
buildings

2) Identify and list all device locations

Compressed gases and cryogenic liquids (mainly nitrogen, helium, and carbon dioxide) may be
used in laboratories and other locations for various lab applications and work procedures.
Nitrogen and helium are the most commonly used compressed gases; primarily for their freezing
properties and use in storing laboratory samples and/or components. They are extremely cold
while in a compressed, liquid state. These two gases are inert, colorless, odorless, noncorrosive
and nontoxic.

When liquid nitrogen and/or helium are dispensed they release nitrogen and/or helium gas, which
is defined as being a simple asphixiant (displaces oxygen). Displacing oxygen creates the
potential for an oxygen deficient or hazardous atmosphere, which is an occupational hazard. The
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) specifies that a hazardous atmosphere
may include one where the oxygen concentration is below 19.5% or above 23.5%

The following are some of the most common locations where compressed gases are found—and
potentially creating an oxygen deficient atmosphere:

• Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) rooms (or magnet rooms)

• Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) rooms
• Freezer farms

Oxygen monitoring devices are recommended to be installed in these animal and/or laboratory
locations to continuously monitor oxygen levels. This is to meet general safety and health
considerations and also required in the 2008 NIH Design Requirements Manual (DRM) for
Biomedical Laboratories and Animal Research Facilities. Oxygen monitoring devices are
required in certain other locations under the OSHA confined space regulation. The confined
space regulation may have some applicability and should be reviewed in conjunction with this
protocol and the NIH confined space program.

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RESPONSIBILITIES

Institute/Center (IC) – The IC is responsible for ensuring oxygen monitoring devices are
installed, maintained, and calibrated as per guidance in this protocol. A service contract may be
established with the manufacturer to meet these obligations.

Division of Occupational Health and Safety (DOHS): Safety Specialist – Provide additional
guidance, where applicable, on the installation, maintenance, and calibration of the oxygen
monitoring devices.

DOHS Technical Assistance Branch (TAB) – Provide support to the DOHS Safety Specialist in
regards to the technical aspects of installation, maintenance, and calibration. Periodically review
and update this protocol.

NOTE: The DOHS Safety Specialist and the IC should review related health and safety
considerations not specific to this protocol, such as the safe handling and storage of compressed
gases. For example, because of the significant freezing hazards related to the handling of liquid
nitrogen and helium, proper personal protection equipment (PPE)—such as, loose-fitting
insulated gloves and goggles/face shields—must be worn when handling and dispensing these
cryogenic liquids. Also, containers used to transport liquid nitrogen, such as dewars, should be
used in a safe and appropriate manner.

INSTALLATION

An oxygen monitoring device shall be installed in any indoor location where compressed gases
or cryogenic liquids are stored and/or dispensed in manner that could create the potential for the
displacement of oxygen. At a minimum, the following factors should be used in determining if a
device should be installed: manufacturer (e.g., magnet) guidance, volume of gas used, location of
gas, and air changes/hour in the room/area. The 2008 NIH DRM notes that both ‘carbon dioxide
manifold rooms… [and] nitrogen holding rooms and shall include oxygen level monitoring
alarms’ (section 8, pages 8-80). Additionally, compressed gases or cryogenic liquids shall not
be located or dispensed in any indoor location that does not have proper ventilation.

The IC should contact their DOHS Safety Specialist and perform an assessment of the activities
and area with respect for the need of an oxygen monitoring device. Compressed gases used for
instrument calibration, for example, may not require the installation of an oxygen monitoring
device.

The installation of the oxygen monitoring device will rely on the manufacturer’s specific
requirements and recommendations. Some of these requirements may include, but not be limited
to, the following:

1) Installing the device close to an area where a leak would most likely occur;
2) Placing the device at the proper height depending on the density of the gas;
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 3) Ensuring the device’s display is accessible;
4) Performing a leak test of the oxygen monitoring devises’ sample lines, system
components and fittings

As per the manufacture’s recommendation, a low oxygen alarm shall be installed along with the
monitoring device to alert persons in the surrounding area of a hazardous condition. This
monitoring device should also be interlocked with the building automation system (BAS).
Where applicable, the device shall also be interlocked with an emergency exhaust fan or
ventilation system that is located at the monitored location. An alarm will trigger emergency
ventilation of the space. Alarms installed during new construction, or building alteration, should
include both visual and audible warnings to notify occupants.

OSHA specifies that a hazardous atmosphere may include one where the oxygen concentration is
below 19.5% or above 23.5%. The device alarm and warning levels should be set according to
these oxygen concentration levels (a normal atmosphere is composed of approximately 21%
oxygen and 79% nitrogen).

MAINTENANCE & USE

General maintenance/troubleshooting

Any maintenance or repair on the monitoring device should be only performed by the
manufacturer or manufacturer’s representative using manufacturer specific replacement parts.
Most oxygen monitoring devices require minimal periodic maintenance. The device itself can
be periodically cleaned with a clean, dry cloth.

Sensor replacement

Oxygen sensors are the main monitoring components of these devices. Sensor replacement is
dictated by the manufacturer of the oxygen monitoring device—and the scheduled replacement
requirements should be noted by the IC during installation. For example, oxygen sensors on the
MSA Toxgard® II Monitor typically last a maximum of two years. Some devices may also give
a display reading when the sensor needs to be replaced. The IC shall have a program in place to
track and ensure the proper maintenance of each monitor.

CALIBRATION

Calibrations are performed to verify the accuracy of the oxygen sensor, which is the main
component of an oxygen monitoring device. There are generally three different types of
calibrations: initial, daily, and interval. Initial and interval calibrations are performed by the
manufacturer or manufacturer’s representative. Daily calibrations are performed by IC
employees, as per training from the manufacturer. Records must be kept of all calibrations,
preferably in a designated notebook located near the alarm (readily available).
Initial Calibration
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An initial calibration must be performed by the manufacturer or manufacturer’s representative
when an oxygen monitoring device and/or new oxygen sensor is installed.

Daily Calibration Checks

To ensure the unit in functioning properly, the device must be checked daily with a response gas.
This check does not require the unit to be adjusted, but rather that the observed readings of the
devise are acceptable. Both a zero gas and span (response) gas, if applicable, should be used
during this check. Some devices have the capability to perform this function automatically.

Interval Calibrations

These calibrations should be performed by the manufacturer or manufacturer’s representative

either every 6 months or per the recommendation of the manufacturer, whichever is more
frequent. A more frequent calibration schedule may be necessary if readings are out of range.
The daily calibration check should still be performed.

The building automation system and emergency exhaust fan, where applicable, should also be
verified as operational during the interval calibration. Additionally, a leak check of the sample
lines, system components and fittings should also be performed at the interval calibration.

RECORDKEEPING

The IC shall keep written and/or electronic records for all actions related to: installation,
calibration, maintenance, etc.

REFERENCES

Harvard University. Information Specific to Liquid Nitrogen. (July 2003)

http://safety.seas.harvard.edu/services/nitrogen.html (24 November 2009)

Mine Safety Appliance Company (MSA). MSA Gas Detection System [for Detection of Oxygen
Deficiency in MRI Units] – Data Sheet. (July 2005)
http://media.msanet.com/NA/USA/PermanentInstruments/CustomProducts/CustomProdu
cts/07-2090ToxgardMRI.pdf (1 September 2009)

MSA. Toxgard® II Monitor – Instruction Manual, Rev. 7.

http://media.msanet.com/NA/USA/PermanentInstruments/SafetyandHealthMonitors/Tox
gardIIGasMonitor/711266PDF.html (1 September 2009)

MSA. Ultima® X Series Gas Monitor – Safety Manual SIL 2

Certified, Rev. 0

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 http://media.msanet.com/NA/USA/PermanentInstruments/GasSensorsTransmitters/Ultim
aXSeriesGasMonitors/10100751.pdf (1 September 2009)

National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIH Design Requirements Manual for Biomedical
Laboratories and Animal Research Facilities (DRM) – 2008, Section 8-8 Compressed-
Gas Systems. (July 2009)
http://orf.od.nih.gov/PoliciesAndGuidelines/BiomedicalandAnimalResearchFacilitiesDes
ignPoliciesandGuidelines/DRMHTMLver/Chapter8/Section8-8Compressed­
GasSystems.htm
(1 September 2009)

NIH. ORF Occupational Health & Safety Manual, Section 3-2 Confined Space. (December
2009) http://orf.od.nih.gov/NR/rdonlyres/6D8AAB74-2FF5-430B-A553­
B9410474B1A4/22978/ORFOccupationalHealthandSafetyManual1.pdf (12 August
2010)

Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). Permit Required Confined-Spaces –

1910.146. (December 1998)
http://osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show document?p table=STANDARDS&p id=97
97 (1 September 2009)

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Disclaimer of Endorsement:

Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name,
trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement,
recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government. The views and opinions of
authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States
Government, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.

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 Table – NIH Oxygen Monitoring Device Locations (updated 05/10)

Location, Model, & Quantity IC Contact Person & IC

Phone Number