IV. Ventilation Requirements
In operation, the gun consumes propane
and air and produces carbon dioxide, car-
bon monoxide, and water vapor.
Prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide is
lethal and adequate ventilation must be pro-
vided if the gun is to be operated indoors.
The graph (right) shows measurements of
the amount of CO generated (expressed as
a percentage of the fresh air consumption
of 20 cu. Ft./min.) as a function of flame
adjustment:
The amount of CO generated depends on
the flame adjustment, but does not exceed
0.25% within the limits of very rich and very
lean. (By way of comparison, a 35HP forklift
truck running on propane generated 6 times
as much CO).
To maintain a safe CO concentration of 50
parts per million (OSHA standards
1910.93), the ventilation requirements are
2000 cu.ft./min. while the gun is operated
at the maximum operating pressure of 30
PSI.
Based on a 1 1/2 minute heating cycle per
pallet, the fresh air requirements are 3000
cu.ft./pallet. For a production rate of 10 pal-
lets/hour, a ventilation system with a contin-
uous capacity of 500 cu.ft./min. is ade-
quate. For different production rates, the
ventilation capacity should be sized propor-
tionally.
In areas where ventilation is provided by
open doors or windows, a safe level of CO
will be maintained as long as the room tem-
perature does not rise above 150°F.
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