What is the difference between bump testing and calibrating an air monitor and when should I do both?
A. Bump testing an air monitor consists of applying a known concentration of gas to the monitor to see if its respective sensor reacts within 90-120% of the expected value. If the monitor doesn’t respond accurately then it should be fully calibrated. Bump testing should be performed prior to each days use. Calibrating an air monitor can be done in two ways depending on the features of the monitor and the calibration equipment used. A manual calibration consists of entering the monitor’s calibration mode, (usually through its menu), then applying a constant flow of calibration gas that is within the manufacturer’s specifications at the correct flow rate. Using incorrect gas concentrations or a regulator with the incorrect flow rate can cause the monitor to produce inaccurate readings. Some air monitors will require the user to adjust what the monitor is reading to match the concentration of the calibration gas for each sensor, where other monitors will test all sensors at the same time
