UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR JAMES J. DAVIS, Secretary BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS ETHELBERT STEWART, Commissioner BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES |, | | N 512 BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTiCS 0. SAFETY CODE SERIES CODE FOR INFHTIFICATION <7 CANISTERS OF GAS. NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL, SPONSOR —— AMERICAN RECOMMENDED PRACTICE Approved January 7, 1930 AMERICAN STANDARDS ASSOCIATION * a" 8p aed yr Lares of) MARCH, 1930 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR JAMES J. DAVIS, Secretary BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS ETHEI RERT STEWART, Commissioner BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES } N 51 yA | BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS °° * * 0. SAFETY CODE SERIES CODE FOR IDENTIFICATION OF GAS-MASK CANISTERS NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL, SPONSOR AMERICAN RECOMMENDED PRACTICE Approved January 7, 1930 AMERICAN STANDARDS ASSOCIATION ss a oo = of, J MARCH, 1930 UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON : 1930 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C. « « = Price 5 cents oOo 0. g o Q w ow = a o£ oO of PREFACE 1. This code of colors for gas-mask canisters was formulated by a committee which functioned under the procedure of the American Standards . Association. The work was sponsored by the National Safety Council. 2. The personnel of the committee follows: Representing American Gas Association. Name Affiliation Chairman, E. S. Beaumont 1. John Roach. on wecemccacene eee. Peoples Gas, Light & Coke Co, Chicago, Ill. New Jersey Department of Labor, Trenton, N. J. Association of Governmental Officials in Industry of the United States and Canada. Zbemical Warfare Service. Davis Emergency Equipment Co. Mine Safety Appliances Co. 8. H, Rafe Lucca mmasmmas B. BR. Danis le cauasnpsnmanmmnn E. H. Kellogg Yemcaecccanna. J. M. Lewis, alternate___.... C. A. Pense....__. Chemical Warfare Service, Edgewood Arsenal, Edgewood, Md. Bullard-Davis (Inc.), 67 Wall Street, New York City. Vine Safety Appliances Co., Brad. dock Avenue and Thomas Boulevard, Pittsburgh, Pa. i Vine Safety Appliances Co., Pittsburgh, Pa. llinois Industrial Commission, 300 ‘West Adams Street, Chicago, I. Do. International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions. Do. National Bureau of Casualty & Surety Underwriters, National Safety Council, Chemical Section, National Safety Council, Mining Section. National Safety Council, Petroleum Section. Jnderwriters’ Laboratories. Do. Jnited States Bureau of Mines. United States Bureau of Standards. JInited States Department of Labor. B. Osborn, alternate. ....... Fred W. Sehl..acuecnucneeo--CB. Bion. cmmmcnmssmmmsis B. Bilson cc cianacinmnin V.R. Currie ..ococeaemaneo.. A. H. Nuckolls. cocoa. #5 Nano, sltemnate..—--H. 8. Norton. —cuecmuaeuacaen George K. Lewis .ooocaaeooo. Prof. Lester C. Lichty._..___ Secretary, R. H. Ferguson 1.. wo CR ro: gi ge Aetna Casualty & Surety Co., Hartford, Conn. Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Mich New Jersey Zine Co., Franklin, N.J Texas Co., 17 Battery Place, New York City. Underwriters’ Laboratories, 207 East Ohio Street, Chicago, Ill. rp Oe dl HR rm eo m1. ms United States Bureau of Mines, Pittsburgh, Pa. United States Bureau of Standards, ‘Washington, D. C. Tnited Mine Workers of America, 209 American Federation of Labor Building, Washington, D. C. Jheffield Scientific School, Yale University, New Haven, Conn. National Safety Council, 108 East Ohio Street, Chicago, 111. Smerican Society of Mechanical Engineers. National Safety Council, «x QQ TS <L mn Peed 0 *~— oo oN o 0 3 2] oOo o — Maha fas — I lia es oud Ce ©o -— f -" 1 Member of subcommittee. HANDLING CHANGES OR ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS 3. That suggestions for color changes or additional colors to be added to the code may be promptly handled, a committee, under the sponsorship of the National Safety Council, has been named. Any suggestions should be made to the secretary of the committee. . 4. When gas-mask canisters are properly marked and labeled it is possible to determine definitely at a glance the contents of the canister and the protection which it affords. This code was designed to eliminate any confusion in the markings of the different manufacturers. By standardizing on the color markings it is a simple matter for a worker using a mask to know the proper canister which should be used in the atmosphere in which he must have protection. 5. This code deals only with the marking of canisters. Er 0 Oo ~ 0 < £) 0) < ~ m NY 2D) <5 aq CONTENTS Purpose. ___ Scope. __.___ Application. ____ Compliance. Definitions... Colors... _ Markings other than color... gage 2 2 3 in Lod A 31 Bibliothe 2 BULLETIN OF THE § 5 “3 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STAT'STICS - No. 512 WASHINGTON MARCH, 1930 CODE FOR IDENTIFICATION OF GAS-MASK CANISTERS PURPOSE 1. The purpose of this code is to provide protection against accidental injuries arising out of misunderstandings in the identification of suitable gas-mask canisters selected for use In connection with gas masks worn by men who are required to enter atmospheres containing dangerous quantities of harmful gases, vapors, smokes, or mists {singly or in combination) or dusts in combination with any of these. By establishing a uniform practice those who may have occasion to use gas masks will acquire a knowledge of the identification colors and marks and will thus be assisted as much as possible in selecting proper canisters for specific conditions encountered. SCOPE 2. The requirements of this code apply to the identification of all gas-mask canisters used to afford protection against harmful gases, vapors, smokes, and mists, also dusts in combination with any of these, whether in industrial plants, in mines, in connection with public utility operations, in rescue work, in fighting fires, or in any other similar endeavor, except as used in connection with military activities. APPLICATION 3. The manufacturers of gas-mask canisters falling within the scope of this code shall see that all canisters of their manufacture are properly colored and marked in accordance with these requirements before they are delivered to their customers. 4. All who issue or use gas masks falling within the scope of this code shall see that all gas-mask canisters purchased or used by them are properly colored and marked in accordance with these requirements before they are placed in service and that the colors and markings are properly maintained at all times thereafter until the canisters have completely served their purpose. COMPLIANCE 5. In the interest of safety and uniformity, compliance with this code is urged upon all manufacturers and users of gas-mask canisters. Q4401°—20 2 CODE FOR IDENTIFICATION OF GAS-MASK CANISTERS DEFINITIONS Gas mask, 6. The words “gas mask” as used shall be understood to mean a device designed and constructed so that all air is excluded from the respiratory system of the wearer except that which is drawn through a canister forming a part of the gas mask. Canister, 7. The word “canister” as used shall be understood to mean a container in which there are filtering, absorbing, adsorbing, neutralzing, or catalyzing materials capable of affording protection against harmful gases, vapors, smokes, and mists, singly or in combination, also dust in combination with any of these when used in connection vith, or as part of, a gas mask. COLORS 8. Each gas-mask canister shall be given a distinctive color in accordance with the following: 3ases, vapors, smokes, or mists to be protected against A. Acid. __ = B. Organic vapor. . J C. Ammonia... couce aunoo. J. Carbon monoxide. ......_... E. Acid and organic vapors._.._ F. Acid and organic vapors and ammonia. G. Dusts, smokes, mists in combination with any of the above gases. H. All of the above gases..__.. Red. Filters are included in this canister, but stripes to indicate them are unnecessary. I. Other special gases. .____... | Color to be assigned. Nore.—This code was formulated through the cooperation of the National Safety Council, United States Bureau of Mines, and American Standards Assodation. These agencies will be glad to consider requests for additional color 1ssigniments for other possible gases or combinations if such gases assume imporbance in industry. 9. All colors used shall be such as to be clearly identified by the user and clearly distinguishable one from another. When more than one color is used there shall be a decided contrast between them. 10. The color coatings used shall offer a high degree of resistance to :hipping, scaling, peeling, blistering, fading, and to the effects of chemical fumes, smokes, gases, moisture, and dusts in the ordinary atmospheres to which they may be exposed under normal conditions of storage and usage. CODE FOR IDENTIFICATION OF GAS-MASK CANISTERS 3 MARKINGS OTHER THAN COLOR 11. On each canister shall appear, in bold letters, a brief statement to show the purpose of the canister, for example: FOR USE ONLY IN ... "77 (Name of gas or gases) FOR USE ONLY IN ._.__. -ccooc-cccicew-—-._. AND IN DUSTS (Name of gas or gases) FOR USE IN AIR CONTAINING ANY GAS OR SMOKE 12. For this purpose it is permissible to attach a metal plate bearing the proper inscription in raised or other distinct letters, or to stamp the statement into the metal of the canister with a male and female die. The statement may be marked with decalcomania, stenciled with paint, or paper labels may be used. The latter should be attached with heat-proof cement. 13. All of the markings specified above should be placed on the most conspicuous surface or surfaces of the canister.