Guide to Calibration Gases
Accurate measurements of industrial gas levels are crucial for maintaining safety in multiple industries. Malfunctioning gas detectors increase the exposure of health hazards to employees and the public. That’s why workers use calibration gases to verify that gas detecting equipment is working properly. Calibration gases are gaseous components used to contain toxic and flammable gases on a jobsite. Read more about the uses of calibration gases and how they increase safety.
What Is a Calibration Gas Used For?
Calibration gases are a mixture of compressed gases or gas components used to test gas detecting equipment to make sure that it’s working correctly. Calibrating equipment is critical for all measuring instruments and establishes a known response to a chemical component. Finding the right calibration gas for your detector depends on a variety of factors, including:
Type of Gas Detector
Understanding the type of gas detector you’re working with plays a significant role in which calibration gas you use. Most single gas detectors use methane or iso-butane calibration gases, while multi-gas detectors use specialty gases composed of four-gas blends and mixed in specific concentrations.
Purity of the Gases
It’s important to ensure the purity of the gases you’re testing. Working with impure gases could alter the detector’s sensitivity and lead to inaccurate results. Referring to the gas standard assures that the gas you’re using is pure.
Quality of Calibration Gas
Making sure you’re using high-quality calibration gas enhances safety. Poor quality gases could ignite, making them a significant health hazard for your staff. Also, don’t use any gas that’s past its expiration date; expired gas could lead to inaccurate readings.
How To Calibrate Your Gas Detector
OSHA recommends frequently calibrating your gas detector to maintain employee safety. Here are three ways to verify calibration gas safety:
Bump Test
A bump test is a qualitative test that involves passing calibration gas over the instrument’s sensor at a concentration greater than the set points to trigger the alarm. This serves as a functional test and should be performed before using any equipment.
Instrument Calibration
An instrument calibration exposes the equipment to a test gas to verify that the sensors and alarms adequately respond to a manufacturers’ preferred guidelines. If the calibration check results don’t fall into an acceptable range, then a full calibration should be performed.
Full Calibration
A full calibration adjusts the instruments’ reading to match the known concentration of the test gas. It’s a quantitative test that confirms the instrument’s sensors are open to flow and operate within a specified tolerance.
An instrument’s sensors degrade over time and repeated use. Regular calibration allows your equipment to reset and lets you know when to order replacement parts.
Tired of dealing with industrial gas inventory issues?
Our delivery system increases productivity by eliminating product run-outs. Contact CK Supply today to learn more.
Increase Calibration Gas Safety With CK Supply
Finding the right calibration gas supplier is critical for maintaining workplace safety. CK Supply has been an industry-leading industrial gas provider for over 70 years. We offer a wide selection of high-quality bulk gases for multiple industries, including:
Does your process require a specialty gas? We have a dedicated lab capable of providing rare and specific gas mixes to suit your needs. Our lab is Asterisk certified and adheres to strict consistency, accuracy, and integrity standards.
CK Supply also has a wide selection of gas calibration equipment, including gas detectors and regulators. We know how costly downtime is for your business and source our equipment from leading brands to help you maintain productivity.
CK Supply: Providing High-Quality Calibration Gases and More Since 1948
Businesses choose CK Supply because we’re an employee-owned company that offers the highest-quality gas products and an innovative delivery system that guarantees a steady supply. Our Gas Express System delivers gas directions from our trucks to your stationary bulk gas containers. Our process is designed to minimize interruptions to your business and makes managing bulk gas easier than ever by eliminating:
- Cylinder handling
- Product run-outs
- Residual product returns
- Inventory management
Along with our selection of bulk and industrial gas, we also offer welding equipment and dry ice for multiple industries. Contact CK Supply today to learn more about the services we provide.
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