Added: Apr 22, 2008 1:45 pm
MSHA IS SEEKING QUOTES FOR THE FOLLOWING:
QTY. 1 ESX-4CA PLATINOUS TEMPERATURE & HUMIDITY CHAMBER
QTY. 1 DRY AIR PURGE
QTY. 1 WATER FILTER SYSTEM FOR HUMIDITY SUPPLY
QTY. 1 HUMIDITY WATER SUPPLY TANK
QTY. 1 INNER GLASS DOOR WITH FOUR OPERATION PORTS (NO OUTER WINDOW/LIGHT)
QTY. 1 CABLE PORT, 2 DIAMETER WITH TWO FLEXIBLE SILICONE PLUGS
Below are specifications for Environmental Chamber:
1. Temperature Range: -73C to +150C
2. Humidity Range: 10 to 90%
3. Load: The test specimen dimensions vary; the chamber is used for approval testing of gas detectors used in underground mining. The largest system has included components (non-portable) that weigh up to 40lbs; heat output of specimens is not specified, but all external surfaces of tested equipment is routinely carried by, or manipulated by hand (surfaces certainly less than 40C).
4. Heating Rate: Rapid changes in temperature not needed, either up or down. Test procedures allows 1 hour between tests, which are conducted at 5 F intervals. In other words, we allow the samples to soak for 1 hour after the air temperature has stabilized.
5. Cooling Rate: See above
6. Power: 220VAC/60Hz [Single or 3-Phase OK]
7. Interior size: 27 to 32 cubic feet
8. Exterior size: Size limitations: The door to get into the lab is 93 by 84 . The lab height is ~12 feet.
9. Facilities: Water Reservoir for humidity supply (plumbed line available, but reservoir desired)
10. Test standards: Most tests are custom from Title 30 CFR Parts 22 and 27. See http://www.msha.gov/30cfr/22.0.htm and http://www.msha.gov/30cfr/27.0.htm. The standard test procedures can be found at http://www.msha.gov/TECHSUPP/ACC/StandardTestProcs/ASTP2203.pdf, http://www.msha.gov/TECHSUPP/ACC/StandardTestProcs/ASTP2228.pdf, http://www.msha.gov/TECHSUPP/ACC/StandardTestProcs/ASTP2229.pdf. The chamber will be used for custom tests of equipment recovered from mine explosions; low humidity (approximately 10%RH) may rarely be desirable.
11. Controller: Programmable
12. Window: Observation Window (or equivalent)
13. Communication: Serial (RS-232, RS485, USB, etc.) OR parallel (GPIB), OR analog outputs of temperature and humidity
13. # of Access Ports One 2 Port for electrical cords and gas tubing
14. Gloves port: One set (or equivalent)
15. Shelves: One set (see Load above)
16. Interior light: One (if necessary for visibility)
PLEASE PROVIDE QUESTIONS VIA E-MAIL BY 04/28. NO PHONE CALLS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
ITEM NUMBER PROVIDED BY ESPEC NORTH AMERICA. PLEASE QUOTE BRAND NAME OR EQUIVALENT.
Added: Apr 29, 2008 9:37 am
THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS WERE POSTED:
I was wondering if you could give a better description of the inner glass door with four operation ports (no outer window/light.
I am not quite sure what exactly you are looking for, so if you could give clearer description, I would appreciate it.
The inner glass door in the Espec chamber is provided in lieu of: a window in the door; a light in the chamber; and gloves. The manufacturer s information indicates the following: Allows full-view of the workspace when the outer insulated door is opened. Two glove ports enable you to reach in and manipulate the test samples. The standard window is deleted.
The window, light, and gloves are acceptable alternatives
1) Inner glass door with four operational ports (no outer window/light).
We presume this is requesting two doors - an outer door with no window and not light for the area between the doors,
and an inner door made of glass (or with a glass viewing area) as well two sets (total of four openings) of glove ports,
which only are accessible after opening the outer door.
Is this a correct interpretation ???
Does the window need to be made of glass ???
Or can it be made of Plexiglas ???
We need either the inner glass door with ports, per the Espec chamber (see http://www.espec.com/na/gallery/image_med/63/platinous), or a viewing window and gloves.
2) Regards Specification 9. Facilities: Does it require the humidity supply to be included in the system ???
or quoted as an available option ???
The humidity supply (plumbed or reservoir) needs to be included.
3) Regards Specification 12. Window: This seems to contradict the inner glass door requirement.
Please clarify.
We need either the inner glass door with ports, per the Espec chamber (see http://www.espec.com/na/gallery/image_med/63/platinous), or a viewing window and gloves.
4) Regards Specification 13. # of Access Ports: When standing in front of the door of the unit and facing the unit,
should the access port be on the left hand side of the unit ???
or the right hand side ???
Left side is preferred.
5) Regards Specification 14. Gloves Port: Spec is asking for one set which would be two (2) holes. Again, this seems to contradict
the inner glass door with four operation ports. Please clarify.
we need either the inner glass door with ports, per the Espec chamber (see http://www.espec.com/na/gallery/image_med/63/platinous), or a viewing window and gloves.
6) Regards Specification 15. Shelves: does one set mean one (1) shelf ???
If not, how many shelves in a set ???
One shelf is acceptable.
Also, are there current units accomplishing these tests ???
Yes.
and if so, what brand and or manufacturer ???
Tenney TH-27C.
. Are the test specimens energized during all of the tests?
Yes.
2. What are dimensions of the largest test specimen?
Undefined. However, historically the largest has been per the specification.
3. How many test specimens will be tested at any given time?
Up to four small handheld detectors in a subchamber (approximately 7 liters, see STPs) or one of the large specimens.
4. Are the test specimens composed of primarily aluminum and electronic
components?
Varies, but the largest specimens have been.
5. I need clarification of the four operation ports in the glass door?
We need either the inner glass door with ports, per the Espec chamber (see http://www.espec.com/na/gallery/image_med/63/platinous), or a viewing window and gloves.
6. Are the glove ports to be mounted in the glass door?
We need either the inner glass door with ports, per the Espec chamber (see http://www.espec.com/na/gallery/image_med/63/platinous), or a viewing window and gloves in the outer door.
7. What electrical classifications does the chamber have to meet?
Interior?
Exterior?
No hazardous locations approvals required.
