Non-negotiable Considerations When Choosing Gas Detectors
① Calibration Requirements Focus on calibration method, calibration cycle and ease of operation. There are two calibration modes: laboratory calibration and on-site calibration. For on-site calibration, exhale toward the oxygen sensor; the oxygen reading on the instrument shall drop and trigger an alarm.
② Reliability A longer service life of the gas detector sensor is preferred. In general, toxic gas sensors have a minimum service life of 2 years, while flammable gas sensors last 2 to 5 years. Longer mean time between failures (MTBF) indicates better reliability. Check the accuracy and precision; a smaller error margin is desirable. The standard product warranty period is 2 years.
③ Applicability Professional corporate personnel, on-site experienced supervisors or operators shall identify and assess hazardous gases in confined space working environments, so as to verify whether the sensors of the selected detector meet actual application requirements.
④ Stability Check the zero drift and full-scale drift values of the detector; lower drift figures represent superior stability.
⑤ Portability Light weight, compact size, easy and comfortable to wear, and convenient for maintenance and servicing.
⑥ Readability & Identifiability Gas detectors are available in digital display and analog pointer types. Digital models feature clearer readings and lower misjudgment risks. Key checkpoints: whether the display screen is large enough with backlight and oversized fonts for easy viewing; whether the alarm volume is loud enough to be distinguished from ambient noise (90dB(A) or above is recommended); whether the alarm flashing light is visible from all angles; whether the device can continuously output signals according to varying gas concentrations and only silence the alarm after manual confirmation or corrective actions are taken.
