2 Use of Nitrogen
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee - MSC.1/Circular.1401 – Guidelines on Tank Entry for Tankers Using Nitrogen as an Inerting Medium – (9 June 2011) - Annex – Guidelines on Tank Entry for Tankers Using Nitrogen as an Inerting Medium - 2 Use of Nitrogen

2 Use of Nitrogen

  2.1 Nitrogen is a colourless and odourless gas that can cause oxygen deficiency in confined spaces, and at exhaust openings on deck, during purging of tanks and void spaces.

  2.2 Nitrogen (N2) is classified as a simple asphyxiate, meaning that it will displace oxygen in high concentrations and create an oxygen deficient (< 21%) atmosphere without any significant physiological effects. Breathing is stimulated and controlled by carbon dioxide (CO2) present in the lungs. As the CO2 level increases, the brain sends a message to increase respiration. When the CO2 level drops, the rate of respiration will also decrease in order to maintain the proper balance.

  2.3 Everyone should understand that one deep breath of 100% N2 will be fatal.

 100% N2 will displace CO2 and O2 completely and, in the absence of a CO2 signal to the brain, the stimulus to breathe no longer exists.

Parent topic: Annex – Guidelines on Tank Entry for Tankers Using Nitrogen as an Inerting Medium
Copyright 2022 Clasifications Register Group Limited, International Maritime Organization, International Labour Organization or Maritime and Coastguard Agency. All rights reserved. Clasifications Register Group Limited, its affiliates and subsidiaries and their respective officers, employees or agents are, individually and collectively, referred to in this clause as 'Clasifications Register'. Clasifications Register assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable to any person for any loss, damage or expense caused by reliance on the information or advice in this document or howsoever provided, unless that person has signed a contract with the relevant Clasifications Register entity for the provision of this information or advice and in that case any responsibility or liability is exclusively on the terms and conditions set out in that contract.