Selecting a Compressor
If you are uncertain about filling out this form or have questions,
please call 1-800-937-2479 ext 225 or just ask for Charlie.
If you have never had a system before, we've provided some
key questions after the form that you
should consider prior to selecting an air compressor. Breathing Air Systems
would be happy to help you make the right choice. Just give us a call or
fill out the form below!
How To Choose A Breathing Air Compressor System
Questions
A) |
What pressure of SCBA are you currently using?
2216
3000
4500
a combination
|
B) |
Do you have any intentions of going to high-pressure 4500-psi SCBAs in the future?
Yes
No
|
C) |
A Cascade/storage system is recommended, in that a storage system can help
when you need quicker fills, have a power outage, or want to fill SCBAs without
being subjected to compressor noise, etc. Will you be using one?
Yes
No
4500 psi
6000 psi
ASME up to 7000 psi
Note: If all you will be filling is 2216- or 3000-psi SCBA units,
a 4500-psi Cascade System and 5000-psi compressor will be fine.
For anything over 3000 psi you should consider 6000 psi.
How many storage cylinders do you want?
|
D) |
How many SCBA units and spares do you have?
|
E) |
Will you be involved in mutual aid, or filling for anyone
besides your own department?
Yes
No
If Yes, at what pressure?
|
F) |
In your estimation, what would be a worst-case situation?
How many SCBAs would need to be filled?
|
G) |
What electrical system do you have?
230-volt, 1-phase
3-phase
208-volt, 1-phase
3-phase
other
|
H) |
If mobile, what power source will you use?
Electrical
Gas
Diesel
Combination
|
I) |
A Class 2 containment style fill station is recommended for
safety while filling SCBA cylinders. How many do you want to
fill at a time?
1
2
3
|
J) |
Do you want cascade controls built into the fill station, or
do you want to do the cascading at the cylinders?
Fill Station
Cylinders
|
K) |
Purification — All systems typically come with a
purification system matched to the size of the compressor's output.
Do you want your system to be monitored electronically?
Yes
No
|
|
Compressors — Today's systems for the most part are packaged
to meet all of today's standards for safety and reliability, and will meet
all state, local and federal standards to include NFPA.
|
Never had a system before?
Answer a few questions and we can help you make the right
choice.
IMPORTANT
#1 — There are several questions that need to be asked, but one of
the most important considerations is the future!!
A typical "Bauer" High Pressure Breathing Air Compressor
will last for 20 to 25 years with the proper service and care,
so you need to plan for tomorrow, not just today.
#2 — The second is pressure of the SCBA units being used. Let's say
you're using 2216 cylinders now, but
what will you be using 10, 15, or 20 years from now? The following
is also very important– If you are involved in mutual aid
and will be supplying air to your surrounding community, what
are they using? And how often will you need to fill their
system?
#3 — A typical system will normally consist of a "compressor"
in 5000-psi or 6000-psi. A "cascade or storage system"
in either 4500-psi dot, or 6000-psi dot or dual rated ASME
cylinders up to 7000-psi. A "Class 2" containment
style protective fill station to protect operators, bystanders
and property (NOTE;) A Class 2 filling station is also recommended
by NFPA 1901. Plus, there are other options; such as electronic
monitors for Carbon Monoxide CO moisture H2O, carbon dioxide
CO2 and oxygen O2 etc, but in most cases should only be needed
if there is a problem in the area that you want to place the
system, or in a mobile application where the system is driven
by gas or diesel engine.
Some of the main considerations when choosing a system are
cubic foot per minute (CFM), Pressure rating, 5000-psi or
6000-psi, Available power source, (1) phase or (3) phase.
Note: if you only have single/1 phase electric your max allowable
horsepower is 10 horsepower and finally "options"
add-ons to a standard unit or system.
(CFM) How fast do you want to fill?
(PSI) What SCBA pressure will you be filling? (For yourself
and others)
(Power) These systems are available in 230, 208 or 460 volt
only, do you have single or three phase electric?
(Options) Upgraded purification systems, electronic monitors,
computer read outs, hose reels, regulated remote fills on
the fill station, refill hoses for mobile system, booster
pumps etc.
My first recommendation when choosing a compressor would be
to call us at 800-937-2479 to help; you decide what will best
fit your needs. You don't want a system that is too small
or too large. A 6000-psi system is no safer than a 5000-psi
system. An oversized purifier won't purify better, just longer.
Too large of a system can fill a SCBA too fast and make it
hot.
The largest cubic foot SCBA being used by fire departments
today is approximately 90 cubic foot capacity (1 hour pack)
or there are 67 cubic foot (45 min packs) or 45 cubic foot
a (30 minute pack). Most departments fill SCBA units with
their cascade system and then use the compressor to refill
the cascade system. The following is an example on how to
choose what (CFM) cubic foot per minute machine you may need.
As an example, I will use a ten horsepower (13) cfm "charging
rate" unit. Charging rate is (the time it takes to fill
a 3000-psi scuba cylinder to 3000 starting at 500 Psi, or
10.8-cfm (FAD) free air delivery is the rate of filling at
the compressors maximum out put, Which in this case is 6000
psi.
A 6000-psi dot cylinder holds 509 cubic foot at 6000-psi,
a typical system is (4) bottles that equals 509x4=2036 cubic
foot of air when full. Because we will need to use both a
charging rate part of the time and free air delivery part
of the time. We will split the difference at about 11.9-cfm
to help with accuracy in the amount of time it will actually
take to fill 4 / 6000-psi cylinders from "empty".
Simply divide 11.9-cfm into 2036 cubic foot = 171 minutes.
Now divide 171 minutes by 60 minutes to give you hours which
comes to 2.85 hours to fill all (4) cylinders from 0 to 6000-psi,
also keep in mind that the faster a compressor pumps the more
it will cost!! Also keep in mind, that the majority of the
time your cascade cylinders won't be empty and will only take
a fraction of that time to refill.
|