What effect does an oxygen enriched atmosphere have on combustible gas readings?

An oxygen-enriched atmosphere can significantly influence the readings of combustible gases. When the oxygen concentration in the air increases above normal levels (which is typically around 21%), it enhances the combustion process. This means that combustible gases present in that atmosphere are more readily ignitable and can produce larger amounts of energy when ignited.

As a result, when using gas detection equipment, the readings can indicate higher concentrations than what is actually present. This occurs because the detectors are calibrated to respond to gases in a typical atmospheric composition. In an oxygen-rich environment, the explosive potential of the gases is amplified, which leads to elevated readings. Therefore, the presence of more oxygen in the air causes measurements of combustible gases to be higher than they would be under standard atmospheric conditions. This understanding is crucial for safety assessments and responding correctly to hazardous situations involving combustible materials.