How Important Is Annual Gas Analyser Calibration?

An industrial gas analyser is something that is relied on by a wide range of businesses and sectors. It is a portable electronic device that measures the level of different gases within the atmosphere, with the aim to identify harmful gasses such as carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide as well as provide accurate details for your emission reporting.

It is also capable of ensuring that appliances are working efficiently, and it can measure air temperature and oxygen levels to ensure that appliances are properly ventilated. This means that gas analysers are a very important piece of kit, and so having it calibrated on an annual basis is incredibly important.

In this article, CEM Solutions explain why gas analyser calibration is highly important.

What is gas analyser calibration?

Gas analyser calibration is the process of adjusting a measuring equipment to provide accurate and consistent readings. In the process, the instruments output is compared to a traceable reference standard. When, or if any deviation is found the necessary adjustment is made to correct the gas analysers reading.

Why you should undertake annual gas analyser calibration

Safety reasons: The most obvious reason for calibrating your gas analyser is for safety purposes. As its primary function is to identify harmful gases it is essential that it is working properly. Inaccurate reports or a faulty gas analyser can be highly dangerous.

As the sensors inside the analyser will react with the gases that it is designed to detect, they can degrade slightly over time, which means that the results it produces may not be as accurate as they once were.

Certain gases within the atmosphere can cause health issues and can lead to accidents happening in the home or industrial settings, and so it is important to have accurate emissions readings. Without regular calibration, an engineer could be given inaccurate readings, leaving unsafe appliances in place.

British standards: There are British Standards in place for many pieces of equipment to make sure that they all work to a designated standard.

The British Standards for gas analysers stipulate that a calibration certificate is needed before the equipment can be used. When a gas analyser is calibrated, it will then be tested to ensure it is measuring gases, temperatures and pressures correctly before a certificate will be issued. Once a certificate is issues, it is valid until the next annual calibration.

Failure to keep up with your calibration schedule can mean that important pieces of equipment are out of use. Having important equipment out of use can have an detrimental effect on your businesses operations.

If the Gas Register or authorities become aware that you are using a gas analyser that does not have a valid calibration certificate, then you could be in trouble. As this is a legal requirement, you could be left facing some hefty penalties and if an accident occurred due to a failure of your analyser, then you may be held criminally and civilly liable. However, with annual gas analyser calibration you can reduce this risk and ensure your compliance.

Precise readings: As your industrial gas analyser reports on different gas levels and identifies dangerous gases, it is important that the readings it gives are as accurate as possible. Being incorrect by even the smallest amount can be the difference between deciding whether something is safe or not. By having your gas analyser calibrated on a regular basis you can be confident that it is giving the most accurate readings possible. Furthermore, it provides you with peace of mind that your staff are safe whilst at work and are not exposed to any dangerous gases.

Accurate reporting is key towards ensuring your compliance with authorities who may asks to see your records at any given time.

Manufacturer requirements: Annual gas analyser calibration may also be something that is specified by the manufacturer and some may even require it to be done more frequently than this. If this is the case, then your device should warn you that a calibration is due.

If this isn’t specified by the manufacturer, it is recommended to calibrate your commercial gas analyser either every six months or every twelve months however this does depend on usage.

Calibrating a gas analyser

Calibrating a gas analyser is not something that you can do yourself. This is because a valid calibration certificate is required, and this must come from a recognised manufacturer or provider. Most devices do not come with instructions on how to calibrate them and so the process will need to be completed by a professional.

The annual calibration of your gas analyser is a legal requirement because the safety of others rely on its accuracy. This is something that needs to be done at least once a year, or more frequently if your manufacturer stipulates it or if you believe that the device is not working up to the correct standards.