Gas detectors are pivotal in maintaining safety standards across various industrial operations. By accurately detecting harmful gases like CO2 and ammonia, they help prevent potential hazards. However, the accuracy and reliability of these detectors largely depend on regular calibration.
Calibration ensures your gas detectors function optimally, providing precise readings and safeguarding your workspace from potential gas-related risks. Read on to learn more about this calibration process, including how often your gas detector should be calibrated.
Bump Testing: Every 3-6 Months
Bump testing and full calibration differ significantly, although both contribute to the optimal functioning of gas detectors. A bump test, otherwise known as a functional test, verifies the gas detector’s performance by exposing it to a known gas concentration. This test checks if alarms are working correctly and if the detector responds accurately to the presence of gas. On the other hand, a full calibration adjusts the device’s sensitivity to ensure its readings align with the known concentration of calibration gas.
The frequency of conducting bump tests depends on the type of sensor in your gas detector. For detectors equipped with electrochemical sensors, performing a bump test every three months is advisable due to their susceptibility to environmental changes. In contrast, detectors using infrared spectroscopy technology are more stable and hence require biannual bump tests.
Full Calibration: Annually or Following a Failed Bump Test
Regularly calibrating your gas detectors is crucial for maintaining their efficiency and accuracy. It is recommended that you send your gas detectors for calibration services annually. This routine process helps ensure that your monitoring equipment performs at its best, offering accurate and reliable readings.
Moreover, if a gas detector fails a bump test, it indicates that the device might not be functioning properly. In such cases, immediate calibration is necessary to identify and rectify the underlying issue. Calibration following a failed bump test ensures your gas detector remains reliable and continues to provide accurate measurements for maximum safety.
What Does the Calibration Process Entail?
The calibration process involves a series of steps to ensure your gas detector’s accuracy. Initially, the gas detector is exposed to a known concentration of gases, often called calibration gas. This step helps determine the accuracy of the detector’s monitoring capabilities.
Following this, expert technicians thoroughly examine your device. They check the overall functionality and make necessary adjustments to align the detector’s readings with the known concentration of calibration gas. This comprehensive process ensures that your device performs optimally, providing you with accurate readings and maintaining a safe working environment.
Knowing how often your gas detectors should be calibrated and the difference between full calibrations and bump testing is essential if you work with this equipment regularly. Learn more about our in-house gas monitor calibration services here at CTI!