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GAS DETECTION
THE IMPORTANCE OF CALIBRATING FIXED GAS DETECTORS FOR SAFETY
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ixed gas detectors play a critical role in safeguarding people, places, and the planet against potentially life-threatening gases in environments ranging from high value industrial complexes to laboratories and hazardous
confined spaces. However, to ensure their accuracy and reliability, regular calibration is an indispensable practice. Calibration is usually a two-step procedure – the zero and the span. In the first step, the sensor is zeroed using ambient air after confirming that the target gas is not present or by using a suitable gas from a cylinder. The second step is to expose the instrument to the calibration gas that contains a known concentration of the target gas the sensor is designed to measure. The readings are then adjusted to match these values. Whether an
instrument warns and/or alarms at the proper time depends on its ability to translate the detected concentration of a target gas into an accurate reading During calibration, gas detectors perform relative measurements. Rather than
independently assessing the quantity of gas present, they measure the concentration of targeted gas within a test gas mixture by comparing real-time sensor response to the sensor’s response to a known concentration of target gas that the instrument is configured to detect and measure. This “known concentration” test gas
32 SUMMER 2024 | INDUSTRIAL COMPLIANCE
serves as the instrument’s measurement scale, or reference point.
So, why is this important? Here are a few reasons to consider:
1. ENSURING GAS MEASUREMENT ACCURACY AND RELIABILITY
A gas detector that is not accurately calibrated can lead to mis-readings, false alarms, and inadequate responses to hazardous situations. Proper calibration fine-tunes the detector’s sensor(s) to maximise speed of response, measurement accuracy, and provide reliable information to personnel required to make informed decisions in critical moments.
2. MEETING REGULATORY COMPLIANCE Safety regulations and standards are in place for a reason – to protect people, property, and the environment from potential
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