Gas Detection

The above are examples of gas detection equipment. You must be familiar with the equipment issued by your organization.

General instructions

• Visually check for any signs of damage
• Switch on and allow to run through its start up cycle
• If gas detector activates and will not reset set, do not temper with, send to and approved and authorized agent
• Check battery indicator if fitted
• Cleanliness, paying particular attention to the sensor ports
• Alarm will activate initially then go into run mode, which it may beep periodically
• They must be turned on at all times when in the confined space and attached to your person. Their operation must not be hampered; therefore they are to be worn externally.

Detectors should be capable of testing for 3 atmospheres;

• Firstly the oxygen content of the atmosphere is 21%, if the reading is lower than 19.5% or greater than 23.5% your concerns should be highlighted
• Secondly the test for flammable atmosphere
• Third test is for the toxicity of the atmosphere which detectors can be calibrated to detect carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulphide. However, you need to select the appropriate sensors according to your risk assessment.