Portable Gas Detection Resource Hub

Cleaning portable gas detectors requires careful handling to avoid damaging the sensors. Here are the steps you can follow:

• Turn off the gas detector. This is to protect the monitor’s circuitry and the sensors.
• Clean with mild soap and water. Use a sponge to give the monitor a bath with a mild soapy solution. Avoid getting water into the sensor or audible alarm openings.
• Rinse with fresh water. Sponge the meter off again with fresh water.
• Let it air dry. Allow the instrument to fully dry before you turn it back on.
• Calibrate or bump test. After cleaning, most manufacturers recommend you bump test and/or calibrate the gas monitor before putting it back into service.

Please note that you should avoid using cleaning agents that include alcohol, sodium hypochlorite (bleach), or silicone as these can affect the sensitivity of the sensors.

For more detailed instructions, you can reference online videos or consult your gas monitor’s manual for specific cleaning instructions.

Disclaimer: Consult the IP rating of the instrument before cleaning with soap and water, if applicable.

Storing portable gas detectors properly is crucial to maintain their functionality and longevity. Here are some tips:

• Clean Before Storage. Clean the detector with a dust-free cloth before storing. Avoid using cleaning agents that could affect the sensors.
• Fully Charge. Give the unit a full charge before setting it away in storage. Schedule a periodic visit to the storage center/cabinet/locker and recharge the monitors to ensure that the battery does not go completely dead. Some manufacturers encourage the user to keep the monitors on a full-time charge when not in use.
• Avoid Extreme Conditions. Store your detectors in a dry, dust-free, and suitable temperature environment. Extreme temperature and humidity should be avoided (ex: vehicle dashboard, openly exposed at a jobsite, etc).
• Keep Away from Chemicals. Your detectors should be kept away from any chemicals that could potentially affect the sensors. For example, high concentrations of solvents or silicone compounds can poison catalytic flammable sensors.

Remember, always refer to the user manual for specific advice on charging before and during storage periods, as storage times vary from case to case. If you’re unsure, it is best to contact the manufacturer or a professional service provider. 

• Ensure calibration gas concentration aligns with device settings.
• Ensure correct regulator and flow rate are used according to manufacturing instructions.
• Ensure the correct order of calibration on multi-gas instruments (or tank placement in docking stations) to prevent cross-sensitivities that might influence calibration effectiveness.
• Ensure all fittings, connections, gaskets, and calibration tubing is leak free. Leaks can dilute the calibration gas and drive inaccurate calibration.
• Ensure calibration gas cylinders are used within the manufacturer’s labeled expiration date.

Reactive gases are “sticky”. They can easily react with surfaces and components before reaching the sensor. This can lead to inaccurate calibrations. For reactive gas calibrations, the following steps can be used to provide the highest likelihood of a successful calibration.

• Ensure the shortest tubing pathway possible is used in addition to non reactive tubing / regulators.
• Follow manufacturer instructions on how to use reactive gas cylinders within an automated docking station. Most manufactures have recommended cylinder positions or limitations for automated calibration of reactive gases.
• Precondition the tubing/regulator with calibration gas prior to initiating the reactive gas calibration. This ensures the gas path is passivated and limits the impact of the gas path on calibration.
• Store calibration tubing and regulators within a desiccated container until required for calibration. This limits the impact of humidity, which readily interacts with reactive gases, impacting speed of response as the gas is “caught” in humidity. Interaction of reactive gas with humidity can also become highly corrosive, potentially damaging regulators and equipment.

• Sensors do not inherently expire but should be retired when bump tests or calibration indicate end-of-life.
• Calibration gas cylinders must be used within the manufacturer’s labeled expiration date.
• Gas shelf lives vary: methane and oxygen (24-36 months), nitrogen dioxide (6 months).

Gas detector data logs are key for record keeping, audits, incident reports, and OSHA compliance. They show gas exposures, alarms, calibration dates, and device settings at specific times. Knowing how and where your detector stores data and what tools or software you need to access it is essential. Whether logs are stored on the device, in a dock, or streamed to the cloud, make sure you have a plan to retrieve them. Some detectors overwrite old data, so sync regularly.