Compressed Breathing Air Quality Testing
Ensuring your compressed breathing air is safe, compliant, and fit for use.
Why compressed breathing air quality matters.
When operatives rely on supplied compressed breathing air in hazardous environments, the quality of that air can be a matter of life and death. It is a legal requirement under the COSHH Regulations to ensure that compressed breathing air meets the correct standards and is tested regularly.
Poor quality air can lead to serious health risks, legal liability, and business disruption. Maxaura helps you meet your responsibilities with efficient, compliant testing and reporting.
Applicable standards & regulations.
Our testing services help you stay compliant with the standards that govern supplied compressed breathing air in the UK.
BS EN 12021:2014
Compressed air for breathing apparatus.
COSHH Regulations
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health.
“Employers must provide and maintain fit-for-purpose safety equipment for any process that may endanger employee health. Failure to do so can result in liability for employee claims.”
What testing must achieve.
To remain compliant, every breathing air system must meet three core duties:
- 01
Competent Assessment
Volume flow and contaminant levels must be thoroughly assessed by a competent person.
- 02
Repair Before Reuse
Defective systems must be repaired and re-tested before being put back into service.
- 03
Documented Records
All test results must be documented and retained for a minimum of 5 years.
Contaminant limits under BS EN 12021:2014.
Our testing ensures every supply point meets the maximum contaminant levels set out in the standard.
Substance limits
| Substance | Permissible Level |
|---|---|
| Oxygen | 21% ± 1% |
| Carbon Monoxide | ≤ 5 ml/m³ |
| Carbon Dioxide | ≤ 500 ml/m³ |
| Oil (mist/droplets) | ≤ 0.5 mg/m³ |
| Odour / Taste | No significant odour or taste |
Water vapour by pressure
| System Pressure | Max Water Content |
|---|---|
| Up to 40 bar g | Dew point ≥ 5°C below storage/usage temp, or ≤ −11°C if unknown |
| 40 – 200 bar g | ≤ 50 mg/m³ |
| Above 200 bar g | ≤ 35 mg/m³ |
| Charging cylinders > 200 bar | ≤ 25 mg/m³ |
How Maxaura supports you.
A practical, end-to-end testing service that keeps your people safe and your records audit-ready.
On-Site Testing
Modern, industry-leading equipment used to accurately test every air supply point on your site.
Test Certification
A formal certificate of analysis for every outlet, ready for your compliance records.
Compliance Guidance
Clear, plain-English advice so you know exactly what to do with your results.
5-Year Record Support
Reports formatted and stored to meet the statutory five-year retention requirement.