Calibration Procedure of Portable Gas Detectors

A gas monitor/detector looses sensitivity over time due to aging, exposure to high concentrations of gases, sensor poisoning etc and so the accuracy of the gas monitor must be verified on a regular basis. This can be done by performing a calibration that will ensure the gas monitor is operating correctly

Calibration Frequency :

The frequency of span calibration is best determined by local standards, company policies and industry best practices.

The calibration frequency should be determined by the level of risk. A high risk situation will require a higher frequency of calibration in comparison to a low risk situation. Best practice is to test the gas monitor with a known concentration of gas before each use (bump test/challenge test).

Another way to determine the calibration frequency is to check the response of the gas monitor daily in the intended atmosphere for a pre-determined time (example being 10 days). If there is nothing in the atmosphere that is causing a loss of sensitivity to the installed sensors then these tests indicate that there is no need to make any adjustments and the time between checks can be lengthened.

Calibration Procedure :

The calibration procedure includes both a zero calibration (fresh air calibration) and sensor calibration with known concentrations of gas (span calibration).

• Zero calibration is performed to establish baseline readings of atmospheres that are known to be free of toxic and combustible gases.
• Baseline readings are zero for carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulphide, combustibles and 20.9% for oxygen.
• Span calibration is the adjustment of the gas monitors response to match that of a known concentration of gas. Sensors can lose sensitivity through normal degradation, exposure to high gas concentrations or sensor poisoning.
• The Span calibration is performed to ensure the gas monitor detects the target gases within specific operating parameters.

Equipment required to perform a manual span calibration:

• Calibration gas with the following concentrations (concentrations may vary depends on make/model)
  • 50 ppm CO
  • 25 ppm H2S
  • 1.62 Vol% CH4 (32% LEL)
  • 19 Vol% O2
• Tygon tubing
• Gas flow regulator able to provide 0.5 LPM
• Calibration adapter

ZERO calibration procedure (also known as fresh air calibration)

• Verify the ambient air is free of toxic or combustible gases. If air is not free or cannot be verified free, obtain Zero Air gas cylinder.
• Power on the device
• Press and hold the Right Operating Button until PLEASE WAIT displays.
• The zero calibration is now in progress
• If display indicates “IS AIR CLEAR” verify the atmosphere is clean and press the Right Operating Button to start the Zero Calibration.
• Wait for device to complete Zero Calibration.

If passed, the LCD displays APPLY GAS to being the SPAN calibration

SPAN calibration procedure

Before beginning the calibration process it is important to check that the calibration gas concentrations set on the Protégé device match the actual gas concentration on the gas cylinder.

When APPLY GAS is displayed :

• Attach the flow regulator to the gas cylinder and verify cylinder pressure
• Connect the tygon tubing to both the regulator and calibration adapter
• If the password screen appears enter the 4-digit password using the left operation button to scroll through the numeric characters and the right operation button to accept the entry.
• Attach the calibration adaptor to the gas monitor and apply the gas from the regulator.
• Once each sensor is calibrated, the device displays CAL PASSED then REMOVE GAS.
• Remove Calibration Adapter and wait for the device’s main display to return before turning off the device.