If you work in an industrial facility, laboratory, or a confined space, a properly calibrated gas detector can issue a timely warning so you can take necessary precautions. Regular calibration of your gas detector is critical to ensure its accuracy and reliability in detecting potentially harmful gases. We recommend testing and calibration at least once per year at a minimum. Calibration of your Macurco detector will only take a few minutes with the help of their tech support time.
There are two different ways to ensure that your equipment is running in a healthy and efficient way: Calibration and Bump Tests.
Gas calibration is the process of exposing a sensor to a target gas at a specific concentration and then adjusting the gas detector to read that gas concentration properly.
A bump test is a very brief exposure of a monitor to a gas to help verify that the sensors respond and the alarms are functioning. A bump test does not measure the instrument’s accuracy. Instead, it gives the user confidence in its ability to recognize and respond when a hazard is present.
Gas calibration is important because it gives you the assurance of an accurate read of gas concentrations and issues important warnings if gas levels reach an unsafe level. If your industry demands regular testing for high gas concentrations, this is a great way to stay compliant with those standards. Additionally, calibration will help you know whether your gas detector is working properly or if environmental factors may have led to ineffectiveness.
There are a number of misconceptions around gas detection. One thing that you should be aware of is the difference between calibration and adjustment. Calibration is the process of verifying and adjusting the data of a device to meet accepted standards. Not all calibration needs to be changed; sometimes it is enough to confirm that the device is within an acceptable range and requires no adjustments.
It is important that you are using the correct gas detector – one that will read the type of potential gas exposure in your facility. Calibration addresses accuracy, but malfunctioning sensors or other mechanical problems might require repairs beyond standard calibration procedures.
Ultimately, calibrating and testing your gas detector yearly or even more frequently will give you the peace of mind that you and others in your building are working in a safe environment. At Climate Systems, Inc., we have the skilled personnel to provide instructions or calibrate your gas sensor requirements if needed.
Source: Macurco https://macurco.com/carbon-monoxide-co-vs-carbon-dioxide-co2/