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CB / CB-UL, CBF / CBF-UL (E7) 07/2021 Page 32/197
DANGER
Danger of suffocation and poisoning by high concentration of CO
2
(> 4 Vol.-%).
Death by suffocation.
∅ Do NOT set up chambers in non-ventilated recesses.
Ensure technical ventilation measures.
Observe the relevant regulations for handling CO
2
.
Observe the occupational exposure limit OEL for CO
2
set by the national authorities (formerly maximum
permitted workplace concentration). Check compliance when operating all chambers located in the room.
• OEL for Germany: 5000 ml/m
3
(ppm) = 0,5 Vol.-%
• CO
2
lost from incubator size 170 at 5 vol.-% CO
2
with each opening the door: about 14.8 g, i.e. 0.00758
cubic meters / 0.268 cubic feet (under normal pressure)
• CO
2
lost during 12h at 5 vol.-% without opening the door: approx. < 2 g, i.e. 0.001 cubic meter / 0.035
cubic feet (under normal pressure 1013 mbar / 14.7 psi)
An example of how to evaluate laboratory volume and air change rate:
Question: Is an air change rate of 1/h sufficient for a lab with a volume of 100 cubic meters / 3,531.5
cubic feet with 10 CO
2
incubators size 170, opened 4 times per hour?
Calculation: CO
2
concentration = CO
2
lost by opening the door, multiplied by 10 incubators,
multiplied by opening the door 4 times per hour, divided by lab volume
0.00758 cubic meters x 10 x 4 div. 100 cubic meters = 0.003032, i.e. 0.303 % or 3032 ppm.
0.2676852 cubic feet x 10 x 4 div. 3,531.467 cubic feet = 0.003032, i.e. 0.303 % or 3032 ppm.
Result: The maximum permissible value of 5000 ppm is not exceeded under these operation
conditions.
Even when CO
2
or systems operated with CO
2
are handled carefully and appropriately, a residual risk
remains, which can lead to life-threatening situations under certain circumstances. Therefore we strongly
recommend continuous monitoring of CO
2
concentration in the ambient air of the CO
2
incubator. It must be
ensured permanently that the maximum permissible occupational exposure limit OEL for CO
2
(0.5 vol -%
CO
2
for Germany) is not exceeded.
Chamber with O
2
control: Notes on handling oxygen (O
2
)
Oxygen (O
2
) is colorless and almost odorless and therefore practically imperceptible. It promotes burns,
which can proceed explosively. There is a fire hazard for flammable oxygenated materials, e.g. clothes and
hair. O
2
is heavier than air and may accumulate in low-lying areas.
DANGER
Danger of fire and explosion through contact of combustible materials with O
2
with high concentration of O
2
(> 21 % O
2
).
Serious injury or death from burns and / or explosion pressure.
∅ Do NOT set up chambers in non-ventilated recesses.
Ensure technical ventilation measures.
Observe the relevant regulations for handling O
2
.
Take appropriate measures to prevent oxygen enrichment and fire and explosion hazards in areas where
oxygen enrichment is possible.
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