Factors to Consider When Buying a Portable Gas Monitor

Gas monitors represent one of the most important pieces of personal protective equipment used in industries that deal with potentially hazardous gases. They provide advanced warning of gas leaks which can help protect employees, prevent substantial property damage, and keep surrounding populations safe. In many industries, gas detection technology is required by regulation, which means having good gas detection equipment is not an option.

Gas detection technology has become so advanced that the size of accurate detection devices allows for a high degree of portability. This has opened new doors for devices by allowing them to be used in places where gas detection may previously have been unfeasible or impossible. It’s not hard to find a portable gas detector for sale these days, but there are some things you should know before making a purchase.

Here are a few factors to consider when shopping for a portable gas detector.

Accuracy

Of primary concern to industries that depend on gas detectors for safety is the accuracy of the device. Modern gas detectors have become quite accurate, but you’ll want to make sure that the device you choose is accurate enough to detect the hazardous gases it may encounter in your workplace. In gas monitors, there are 3 components to the reliability of the reading generated by a device. Those 3 characteristics are resolution, sensitivity, and accuracy. It’s important to understand those three terms and understand what they mean for gas detection in your specific industry.

Response Time

In the presence of hazardous gases, time can mean the difference between life and death. Therefore, you’ll want a gas detector with a quick response time. If the sensor is slow to alert you to the presence of dangerous gases, lives could be lost. Therefore, it’s important that your chosen detector lets you know as soon as possible when gas has been detected so that you can take action to escape its presence.

Cross-Sensitivity

Very rarely will a gas detector be used in an area where no other gases are present. In fact, in many industrial applications, an amalgam of gases can usually be found in the environment. Some of those inert gases could throw off the readings of some detectors, which could spell trouble to those who are depending on the device for safety. Therefore, make sure that you know whether the device you may purchase has any accuracy weaknesses caused by cross-sensitivity.

If you’re looking for a portable gas detector for sale, make sure to know which features are critical before making a purchase. Since lives count on proper functioning of gas detectors, reliability and accuracy are of the utmost importance.