The Factair F3000 Safe-Air Tester is a fourth-generation, market-leading instrument designed for accurate and easy testing of compressed-air breathing systems. Its primary function is to conduct monthly checks of the flow and purity of breathing air to ensure compliance with relevant requirements, such as COSHH L5 and EN12021:1998. The device automates tests, removing the need for manual adjustment of flow and timing, and meets or exceeds specified detection parameters.
Function Description:
The F3000 tests compressed air for various contaminants and parameters, including Carbon Monoxide (CO), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Water (H2O), and Oil. It features a digital display that shows real-time readings for airline temperature, ambient temperature, oxygen content, and airline pressure during tests. The device uses detector tubes for contaminant measurement, with specific channels for water and oil that are variable and require setup. CO and CO2 channels are pre-set. An integrated flowmeter allows users to adjust the system flow control valve to the required flow for face-pieces, visors, hoods, or suits, simulating actual usage conditions. An odour test is also performed by smelling the air exhausted from a sintered outlet above the flowmeter.
The testing process involves several steps:
- Power On: The unit is activated by holding the ON/OFF button for approximately 2.5 seconds, displaying the model and serial number.
- Confirmation: The user confirms the date of the last calibration and battery condition by pressing "enter."
- Air Supply Connection: The air supply from the breathing-air system is connected to the tester via a suitable hose, ensuring the system flow control valve is closed beforehand. The device has a minimum inlet pressure of 1.5 bar and a maximum of 10 bar. Over-pressurization triggers an automatic shutdown and warning, requiring the unit to be returned to the manufacturer for inspection and resetting.
- Flow Adjustment & Odour Test: The system flow control valve is adjusted to achieve the normal flow required for the face-piece, as indicated on the flowmeter. An odour test is performed by smelling the exhausted air. If a serious odour is detected, the sample fails, and the test should not proceed to avoid damaging the unit.
- Detector Tube Setup: The user selects the water range (either 50-2000 mg/m³ for standard airline use or 5-200 mg/m³ for airlines with a desiccant dryer) and the oil test time. Oil test times can be selected from preset options (15 mins default, 7 mins 30 secs, 3 mins 45 secs, 2 mins 15 secs) or a custom time can be added. The system defaults to 15 minutes if the compressor lubricant type is unknown.
- Purge & Tube Insertion: After confirming settings, the unit performs a 5-minute purge. Once complete, the display prompts the user to insert tubes. Both ends of the detector tubes are cut with a special cutter, ensuring no glass shards are present, and the tubes are inserted into the relevant ports with arrows pointing outwards.
- Testing: The unit displays a countdown of the testing time, along with real-time readings for airline temperature, ambient temperature, oxygen content, and airline pressure. The status of individual tests is indicated on the left-hand side of the display (black for active, clear for completed).
- Reading & Recording Results: Once testing is complete, the digital readings for airline and ambient temperatures, oxygen content, and airline pressure are locked and should be recorded. Tubes are removed, and their readings are recorded on the Factair result pad.
- Restart/Shutdown: The tester can be restarted for subsequent tests by momentarily depressing the ON/OFF button or switched off by holding it for approximately 2.5 seconds. The unit automatically switches off after 1 hour of inactivity.
For high-pressure cylinder testing, a high-pressure regulator and hose assembly (reference F3002) is recommended. The cylinder must be fully charged to ensure accurate water test results. The water range for high-pressure cylinders is typically 'Lo' 5-200 mg/m³.
Important Technical Specifications:
- Model: F3000
- Dimensions:
- Length: 320mm
- Width: 105mm
- Height: 265mm
- Weight: 6.5KG
- Power Supply: 6 x AA batteries (long-life Alkaline preferred, not rechargeable) or supplied mains adaptor.
- Operating Pressure Range: 1.5 bar (min) to 10 bar (max).
- Oxygen Content: Displayed in percentage (%).
- Temperature: Airline and ambient temperatures displayed in Celsius (°C).
- Pressure: Displayed in bar.
- Water Content (H2O): Measured in mg/m³, with ranges for standard airline (50-2000 mg/m³) and desiccant dryer systems (5-200 mg/m³).
- Oil Content: Measured in mg/m³.
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Maximum reading of 500 PPM.
- Carbon Monoxide (CO): Maximum reading of 5 PPM.
- Calibration: Recommended annually (within a 12-month period).
Usage Features:
- Automatic Operation: Once set up, tests are carried out automatically, eliminating manual flow and timing adjustments.
- Digital Display: Provides clear, real-time information on test parameters, status, and results.
- User-Friendly Interface: Keypad with ON/OFF, ENTER, and up/down scroll buttons for easy navigation and setting adjustments.
- Preset and Custom Test Times: Offers common preset oil test times and the ability to add custom times for flexibility.
- Overpressure Protection: Automatically shuts down and displays a warning if overpressurized, protecting the unit.
- Battery Status Indicator: Displays "OK" or "Lo" to inform the user about battery condition.
- Mains Power Option: Can be operated from a mains adaptor, independent of battery condition.
- Odour Test: Integral part of the testing process to detect serious air contamination.
- Dewpoint Calculation: Provides information and graphs to convert detector tube readings to pressure dewpoint, ensuring compliance with moisture level requirements (e.g., 5°C below the lowest ambient temperature or not exceeding -11°C if ambient is unknown).
Maintenance Features:
- Annual Calibration: The device requires annual calibration and servicing within 12 months from the issue date of its calibration certificate to maintain accuracy and warranty. Factair offers a standard 10-working-day turnaround for this service, provided there is no major damage.
- Battery Replacement: Simple process involving turning the unit onto its back, releasing the battery tray lid, and replacing 6 AA batteries, ensuring correct polarity. The unit automatically switches on when new batteries are fitted.
- Detector Tube Handling: Instructions emphasize ensuring no glass fragments are in tube glands, using the correct tube tip cutter, removing both ends of tubes cleanly, and inserting them with arrows facing outwards.
- Disposal of Used Tubes: Detailed instructions for safe disposal of Draeger-Tubes (used or expired) are provided, including soaking in water, placing in "sharps" or glass bins, and disposing via industrial waste methods (landfill or incineration).
- Purging Wet Supply: If the tester has been used on an excessively wet supply, it can be purged dry by running a full test on a known dry source without detector tubes fitted.
- Manufacturer Support: Factair provides contact information for additional advice and information.
- EEC Directives Compliance: The CE mark indicates that the equipment conforms to EEC Directives.
- ISO 9001 Approved: Factair's quality systems are approved to ISO 9001.
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