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Recommended Practices
Introduction
Procedures
Recommendations
Introduction
Gas detection instruments are potentially life-saving devices. When completed regularly, the procedures
defined below help to maintain proper instrument functionality and enhance operator safety.
Procedures
Configuration. The configuration process allows qualified personnel to review and adjust a unit's settings.
Self-test. The self-test verifies the functionality of the instrument’s memory operations, battery, and each
alarm indicator (audible, visual, and vibration).
Bump Test. Bump testing is a functional test in which an instrument's installed sensors are to be briefly
exposed to (or “bumped” by) calibration gases in concentrations that are greater than the sensors’ low-
alarm setpoints. This will cause the instrument to go into low alarm and will indicate which sensors pass or
fail this basic test for response to gas.
Zero. Zeroing adjusts the sensors’ “baseline” readings, which become the points of comparison for
subsequent gas readings. It is a prerequisite for calibration. During zeroing, the installed sensors are to be
exposed to an air sample from a zero-grade-air cylinder or ambient air that is known to be clean air. If there
are gases in the air sample that are below the lowest alarm level, the instrument will read them as zero; its
task is to read the air sample as clean air. The user's task is to ensure the air is clean.
Calibration. Regular calibration promotes the accurate measurement of gas concentration values. During
calibration, an instrument’s installed sensors are to be exposed to set concentrations of calibration gases.
Based on the sensors’ responses, the instrument will self-adjust to compensate for declining sensor
sensitivity, which naturally occurs as the installed sensors are used or “consumed."
Docking. When docked, instruments that are supported by iNet
®
Control or DSSAC (Docking Station
Software Admin Console) will be maintained for all scheduled bump tests and calibrations,
synchronized for any changes to settings, and upgraded for improvements from Industrial Scientific.
After implementing any modifications to the instrument through the docking station, such as firmware
updates, it is essential to confirm that there have been no alterations to calibration gas parameters,
alarm setpoints and instrument parameters.
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