2-7。2。1 Criteria。 Specify the lowest noise emission level that is technologically and economically feasible。 Each DOD service branch has a permissible noise level specified in its safety and health manual。 It is not adequate to specify that inpidual pieces of equipment do not produce noise levels in excess of that permissible level。 Determine the sound power levels for each piece of equipment。 Use this information to predict the acoustic characteristics of the workspace and the resulting ambient noise level。 Specify the appropriate noise control method if the total predicted ambient noise level is in excess of the requirements in the applicable safety and health manual。 For additional information on noise control refer to UFC 3-450-01, Design: Noise and Vibration Control; DHEW 79-117, NIOSH Industrial Noise Control Manual; OSHA Pub 3048, Noise Control, A Guide for Workers and Employees; and NAVFAC P-970, Protection Planning in the Noise Environment。

2-7。3 Respiratory Protection。  29 CFR 1910。134(d), Respiratory Protection specifies requirements for respiratory protection。 Consult with an industrial hygienist or occupational health specialist to determine the appropriate type of respiratory protection required for each process。

2-7。3。1 Breathing Air。  Breathing air for supplied air respirators must meet grade D standards as required by 29 CFR 1910。134(d) and defined in Compressed Gas Association Specification for Air G-7。1。 Breathing air couplings must not be compatible with outlets for non-respirable worksite air or other gas systems。 Consider providing

multiple connection ports for airline respirator hoses to allow worker mobility。 Consider installing a panel to permit the IH to test air quality on a routine basis。

NOTE for USAF: The test panel is required for quarterly testing。

2-7。3。2 Air Compressors。  Oil lubricated breathing air compressors require a  high temperature or carbon monoxide alarm or both。 If only a high temperature alarm is used, the air supply must be monitored to ensure the breathing air does not exceed 10 parts per million (ppm) carbon monoxide。 Compressors that are not oil lubricated must still have the carbon monoxide level monitored to ensure it is below 10 ppm。

Compressors used to supply breathing air must be constructed and situated to prevent entry of contaminated air into the air supply system。 The breathing air compressor must minimize moisture content so that the dew point is 5。56 oC (10 oF) below the ambient temperature。 The breathing air system must have suitable inline air-purifying sorbent beds and filters。 Sorbent beds and filter will have to be maintained per manufacturer’s instructions。

2-7。4 Emergency Showers and Eyewash Stations。  Provide where required。 Design in accordance with UFC 3-420-01, Design: Plumbing Systems。

2-7。5 Hygiene Facilities。  These facilities are adjacent to or nearby the operation when employees are exposed to certain stressors such as asbestos, cadmium, lead, etc。 The facilities may be as simple as a hand washing station or as complicated as multiple clean/dirty rooms in an asbestos delagging facility。 Consult with the local industrial hygiene department to determine the extent of and location for these facilities。

2-8 COMMISSIONING。 This process begins before the conceptual design is complete。 It is a strategy that documents the occupants’ needs, verifies progress and contract compliance and continues throughout the design, build and acceptance process。 DOD projects and construction offices have long used parts of the commissioning process for military construction (MILCON) and some smaller projects。 To ensure that issues specific to ventilation are not overlooked, consider using ASHRAE Guideline 1, The HVAC Commissioning Process。