Bump Testing: What You Need to Know | Air-Met Scientific
Ensuring Worker Safety with a Daily Gas Monitor Bump Test
A portable gas detector is a critical instrument for the protection of workers in hazardous or confined space environments where toxic or combustible gases are present. It alerts the user of a gas hazard through an audible, visual and, with some instruments, a vibrating alarm. It is also used for detecting oxygen deficiency in confined spaces.
However, as with all instruments, a gas monitor needs to be regularly calibrated and serviced to ensure it is operating at its optimum capacity. Bump testing should be an important part of your gas detection program.
What is a Bump Test?
A bump test is a simple process where the sensors of the handheld gas detectors are exposed to an expected concentration of gas that is greater than the alarm points. If everything is working as expected, the gas detector will go into an alarm.
There are many reasons why your monitor may not alarm and react to gas. A bump test is the only way to ensure that a gas detectors sensors and alarms are working properly.
Why is Bump Testing Important
Gas detectors are made for harsh environments, often used in mines, manufacturing, and confined spaces. They are often dropped, exposed to extreme temperature, humidity, dust, and mud. However robust and durable they are built, any of these instances can affect a gas monitor’s performance. When used and functioning correctly, gas monitors play a vital role in the workplace safety programs and can save a life. So, it is crucial that the whole unit is working correctly and that the sensors respond to the target gas every time.
How do you conduct a Bump test?
There are several bump test equipment, ranging from fully-automated charging, calibration and bump testing docking stations such as the Industrial Scientific DSX Docking Station to semi-automated bump test kits currently in the market. Docking stations are an easy and efficient way to conduct a bump test. They can also be connected to a gas detection management software with which you can schedule automatic bump tests and store data for auditing purposes.
A bump test can also be conducted manually by using a gas bottle, a regulator, tubing, and a calibration cup. The unit is put to bump test mode and then applied with the gas. Depending on the unit’s settings, the gas detector will either cycle through each individual sensor or do them all at once. A bump test can usually be conducted under one minute. After the test is complete, the monitor will display the results, showing if the instrument passed or failed the bump test and therefore indicating if the unit is safe for use or should be sent to your local Air-Met Scientific service centre for an assessment and service.
Air-Met Scientific’s Service Centres provide standard and NATA accredited traceable calibrations and bump testing services for portable and fixed gas detectors.
The bump test frequency depends on the manufacturer’s recommendation. As best practice, it is recommended units to be bump tested every time prior to use to ensure they operational. Just because a gas monitor was calibrated, and bump tested last week doesn’t ensure its capability today. A simple and quick bump test can save lives. Our experienced team can also provide training on how to properly use and bump test a gas detector.
Bump test and calibrations, what is the difference?
There is often confusion between bump testing and calibrations. A calibration is the process to accurately set the levels of the sensor in a gas monitor in a controlled environment to demonstrate that the sensors and alarms respond to the gas within acceptable limits. Whereas a bump test is a quick check if the gas detection instrument is working or not by going into alarm mode when a toxic gas is present. Both bump test and calibration are required to ensure functionality and maintain the accuracy of the gas detection system. A full calibration should only be conducted by trained and qualified technicians.
Looking for bump test stations or a team of experienced service technicians to conduct full calibrations and service your gas monitoring equipment?
Contact us today for more information about how we can assist you.
