Oxygen measurements have an important role in determining the air quality in indoor areas. In these measurements, the definition of closed area refers to the areas with limited entrances and exits that are not designed for continuous operation. In indoor work, to prevent workers from being affected and death events are often caused by unfavorable weather conditions. Therefore, it will be necessary to measure the weather conditions indoors very precisely and to take necessary measures in certain situations.
Oxygen is the gas that makes combustion possible. When an object is burning, it uses oxygen and releases heat and light. Because of this feature, oxygen has many uses. But, pure oxygen at the same time is very dangerous. If a flame or spark touches the pure oxygen, it can cause very large combustion and damage.
Combustion can be used in many ways. For example, when oxygen is mixed with acetylene, you can create a very hot flame. Oxygen welding is a kind of welding used for joining metals. It is also used to create powerful fuels for oxygen, rockets and jets.
There are generally three stages in these measurements. The first step is to measure the amount of oxygen in the medium. The second stage is to detect flammable gases and vapors in the environment. The third stage is the measurement of toxic gases in the environment. First, the amount of oxygen is measured. Because the oxygen used in the environment is used for the proper operation of the devices used in the second stage. If the amount of oxygen is insufficient, these devices do not give reliable results. The presence of toxic gases and vapors is made at the last stage since it carries a lower risk than the risk of fire or explosion caused by flammable gases.
Depending on the type of activity, oxygen levels may decrease in the closed area. Lack of oxygen causes loss of consciousness and death. Lack of oxygen is the greatest danger in confined spaces. For this reason, oxygen measurements should be made by authorized laboratories in the workplaces. The definition of the enclosed area includes silos, pipelines, water tanks, sewage plants, wells, canals, oil tanks, waste tanks, tankers and storage tanks. can. These are either hazards due to limited space or hazards from work done in the environment.
The effects of indoor oxygen levels on human health are as follows:
- Percent 22: Oxygen-rich medium
- Percent 21: Normal level (safe for entry)
- Percent 20: Oxygen-insufficient environment
- Percentage 16: Decision making and breathing disorder
- 14 percent: Fatigue and wrong decision
- 11 percent: Difficulty breathing and death within minutes
