Page:NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods - Chapter H.pdf/3

 preferably in a fume hood if one is available. Make sure that the calibration procedure itself does not pressurize the sensing cell. This is especially important to observe when pressurized cylinders of standard gases are used for calibration. Overpressurization of the sensor can be avoided by using a pressure regulator on the calibration gas cylinder or by installing a "tee" fitting in the line to reduce the stream to atmospheric pressure. Another method is to fill a bag with gas from the cylinder so that it can be presented to the sensor at atmospheric pressure from the bag. Sensors should be replaced when they can no longer be calibrated or zeroed easily during the routine calibration procedure.

b.

(1) Toxic Gases

Electrochemical sensors used for toxic gases are normally used as dosimeter/alarms, which means that the electronic circuitry provides a time weighted average (TWA) but not necessarily a continuous readout of the concentration. The alarm circuit is designed to activate whenever the preselected value is reached or exceeded for a predetermined time (or number of counts). On some systems, the TWA value may be obtained from the systems' microprocessor at the end of the shift by attaching it to an accessory printer or plotter designed to display this information. Some units provide a display of the current TWA which can be updated periodically or at the user's command.

(2) Oxygen

Oxygen electrochemical sensors provide either a continuous or on demand display of the present percent oxygen in the atmosphere, and the alarm circuitry is designed to activate at the moment the concentration drops to 19.5% O2. Some models, designed to be used in hospitals or as area monitors, have both upper and lower alarm levels so that oxygen-enriched atmospheres may also be monitored. Many of these models have output suitable for a strip chart recorder so that a permanent record of the oxygen in the atmosphere may be maintained. The output of these devices is in % O2. Method 6601 gives a recommended procedure for the use of oxygen monitors.