Pressure Chamber Safety | PMS Instrument Company

Safety Glasses must be worn at all times when preparing the Pressure Chamber Instrument for use, using the Pressure Chamber Instrument, and trans-filling gas.
Working with high and low-pressure nitrogen gas requires safe handling, precaution and safety measures must be followed.
Nitrogen gas fittings, hoses and valves can fail. Safety measures must be followed to ensure that in the event of an accidental failure of any equipment the user will not be injured. Possible consequences of failure include but are not limited to:

Dangerous whipping hose. Could cause injury to body or even death.
Couplings or parts thrown off at high speed. Could cause bodily injury or even death.
High pressure discharge of gas. Could penetrate skin and cause bodily injury.
Catastrophic failure of fittings, hoses or valves could cause overwhelming discharge of Nitrogen Gas (N2). Risk of asphyxiation or oxygen deprivation in enclosed environment. Clear all persons from the area and ventilate in this event.

The Pressure Chamber Instrument must only be used for the purpose it was intended; that intended purpose is to pressurize plant samples in order to measure xylem water potential, extract xylem water or induce cavitation into plant samples. Any other process or use is not recommended and user could be injured or even killed.

Whenever operating the Pressure Chamber Instrument, be sure to operate in a safe environment. Lay the instrument on a flat surface when operating.
The Pressure Chamber Instrument should be operated and stored in temperatures no lower than 20 degrees Fahrenheit / -7 Celsius and maximum temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit / 49 Celsius. Outside of this range could cause damage to instrument.

(Pressurization of a Sample)

Instrument should be prepared properly to work with the samples being tested.
Always fit the appropriate sized insert with appropriate sized gasket to ensure the sample does not extrude or shoot out of the lid. ½ inch Compression Gland Base should be used only with 3/8 and ½ inch sealing systems. ¼ inch Compression Gland Base should be used with 1/8 and ¼ inch and Almond sealing systems. Grass Compression Gland System should be used only with Grass Compression Gland Base.
Safety Glasses must be put on prior to pressurizing the instrument; they should be worn for the duration of the test until the instrument is fully depressurized and put away.
When viewing a sample, ensure your eyes are not directly over the sample. View from a slight angle. This will ensure your eyes are not over the sample if it accidentally extrudes or shoots out of the chamber lid.
If sample appears to move during pressurization, stop the process and ensure it is properly sealed and that you are using the best possible gasket, insert and Compression Gland Base for this sample.
If you cannot get a good seal on the sample, discontinue testing.

Never transport the Pressure Chamber Instrument while connected to the portable tank. Whenever transporting the instrument, the instrument needs to be disconnected from the tank and hose, and it should be completely depressurized.

In the event the instrument is dropped, struck or damaged it should be returned to PMS Instrument Company for evaluation prior to further use. Using damaged equipment could result in physical injury or death!
Each instrument should be inspected on regular intervals depending upon usage but at least annually. High Pressure Hose, High Pressure Fittings and instrument should be inspected for ware, cracks, leaks or any other damage that might cause danger to the user. Instrument should be in good working order prior to use! Failure to correct these problems can lead to injury or death!

These are basic guidelines and safety recommendations. User must consult and comply with local laws that might further govern the use of the instrument or use of compressed gases.

While the instrument should provide years of use, it is possible that at sometime it will be disposed of. Local recycling guidelines should be followed for disposal.