How often should breathing air be tested?

If your operations rely on air-fed masks, hoods or suits for activities such as spray painting, shot blasting, tunnelling, asbestos removal or pharmaceutical manufacturing, then you must ensure your breathing air meets the standards outlined in EN12021:2014.

According to the HSE and EN12021:2014, breathing air must be tested at least every three months, with more frequent testing required if operating conditions present additional risks.

EN12021:2014 and HSE requirements

The UK HSE and EN12021:2014 - Respiratory protective devices: Compressed air for breathing apparatus - set strict limits for oxygen levels, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide content, water vapour, oil carryover, and particulates.

The HSE’s Respiratory Protective Equipment at Work (HSG53) explains that breathing air quality must be sampled at least every three months, or more frequently whenever working conditions change or the purity of the air cannot otherwise be assured.

Employers must incorporate breathing air testing into their risk assessments and ensure regular sampling is carried out and documented.

Why three-month testing is the minimum requirement

Even in well-managed facilities, compressed air quality can deteriorate for a range of reasons. Ambient air can become contaminated by local processes, filtration systems can become saturated or fail, and dryers may malfunction, affecting moisture and oxygen levels.

High humidity, process chemicals, condensing water vapour and general equipment wear all change the air quality over time. These factors can occur suddenly, which is why quarterly testing is treated as the minimum testing frequency.

When more frequent testing is required

Some operating environments require testing at intervals shorter than three months. More frequent analysis is needed when the compressor draws air from a potentially contaminated location, when filtration or dryer components have recently been serviced or replaced, or when the workplace contains chemicals, dusts, vapours or fumes that could enter the intake.

Increased testing is also necessary if operators report unusual smells or taste in the air supply, if the system supports high-demand breathing equipment, or when the surrounding environment varies significantly in temperature or contaminants.

Essentially, if the quality of air cannot be consistently guaranteed, testing must be carried out more regularly!

Why breathing air quality deteriorates

Compressed air quality can decline when contaminants enter through the intake, when compressors introduce oil vapour or wear particles, when filtration systems degrade, or when moisture accumulates due to inadequate drying.

Chemical exposure from nearby processes and fluctuations in ambient temperatures also contribute to air quality issues.

This is why untreated compressed air should never be assumed safe for breathing, and routine testing ensures that purification systems are functioning as required.

What happens if breathing air is not tested?

If breathing air is not tested regularly, employers risk exposing operators to unsafe levels of contaminants such as CO, CO2, oil mist or water vapour. Poorly maintained systems may allow contaminants to enter respirators or air-fed suits, compromise valves through freezing, and accelerate corrosion within air lines.

This can lead to equipment failure, production downtime, unsafe working conditions and potential liability issues.

Breathing air purifiers and why testing still matters

High-performance purification solutions such as the Atlas Copco BAP(+) breathing air purifiers play a crucial role in delivering clean, compliant air. These systems combine water separation, multi-stage filtration, desiccant drying, CO and CO2 reduction, and bacterial filtration. Despite this advanced design, EN12021:2014 requires that the system’s output is still tested regularly, as purification equipment can degrade over time.

Why choose professional breathing air testing?

Testing must be carried out by competent professionals using calibrated equipment. Maziak’s breathing air testing service analyses all parameters listed in EN12021:2014, checks the performance of dryers and filtration units, identifies risks before they escalate, and provides a full compliance report suitable for audits. This ensures that your system not only meets regulatory standards but performs reliably day to day.

Book a test today.

How Maziak helps you stay compliant!

Maziak supports employers with complete breathing air solutions, including risk assessments, breathing air system design, supply and installation of purifiers, routine testing, equipment servicing and compliance advice.

Explore our complete range of breathing air treatment systems here.

FAQs

How often should breathing air be tested?

Breathing air must be tested at least every three months according to EN12021:2014 and HSE guidance. More frequent testing is required if operating conditions change, contamination risks increase, or the quality of air cannot be guaranteed.

Who is responsible for ensuring breathing air meets EN12021:2014?

Under UK Health and Safety legislation, the employer is responsible for ensuring that breathing air complies with EN12021:2014. This includes arranging regular testing and maintaining purification equipment.

What contaminants does EN12021:2014 require testing for?

EN12021:2014 specifies limits for oxygen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oil vapour/mist, water vapour, odour, and particulate contamination.

What industries require breathing air testing?

Breathing air testing is essential in industries using air-fed masks, hoods or suits, including: spray painting, blasting, tunnelling, chemical processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, confined space entry, asbestos removal, offshore operations, and tank cleaning.

What happens if my breathing air fails the EN12021:2014 test?

If your breathing air fails, the system must not be used until the issue is rectified. Engineers will investigate filtration, dryers, intake contamination and compressor performance. Employers who continue operating may breach HSE regulations and risk employee illness or injury.

Can I test breathing air in-house?

Testing must be carried out using calibrated equipment by competent personnel. Most companies choose accredited providers like Maziak, who deliver full EN12021:2014 analysis and compliance reporting.

How long does a breathing air test take?

Most breathing air tests take 30–60 minutes depending on system size and the number of air outlets being sampled. Results and recommendations are provided immediately or shortly after analysis.