Mini Merlin Installation, Operation & Maintenance
Rev: 03 05-22
12
Maintenance
Cleaning
Concentrations of alcohol found in many products may damage, deteriorate, or affect the gas sensing elements such as
wine; deodorants; stain removers and thinners. Other gases and substances to avoid are corrosives (i.e., chlorine &
hydrogen chloride); alkali metals; basic or acidic compounds; silicones; tetraethyl lead; halogens and halogenated
compounds!
Keep your gas detector in good working order - follow these basic principles.
•
Remove any dust/debris from the outer enclosure regularly using a slightly damp cloth.
•
Never use detergents or solvents to clean your device.
•
Never spray air fresheners, hair spray, paint or other aerosols near the device.
•
Never paint the device. Paint will seal vents and interfere with the device.
Manual Circuit Simulation Test
The manual circuit test does not check the gas sensor itself!
Press and hold the touch sensor during normal operation.
This option gives the user the opportunity to test each relay/output in response to gas.
When the touch button is pressed and held during normal operation the mini merlin will simulate an open circuit to
ensure all configured systems, outputs, alarms, indications, and other external devices operate as intended in
response to gas.
Bump Test (Gas Response Check)
What is a Bump Test?
Gas r
esponse checks are often referred to as a ‘
bump test
’. Bump tests are important to make sure a device
can
detect a release of gas as early as possible. The aim of the bump test is to make sure a detector is working at its
optimum by briefly exposing the unit to a known concentration of the target gas that usually exceeds the highest
alarm point. If the detector goes into alarm and all signals/outputs activate, then the system is working safely.
If the system fails to operate as intended in an alarm state, the gas detector must not be used until a full inspection
and service has been conducted. NFPA requires all gas detectors to be tested annually and that the test results be
recorded on site and available to inspectors.
Why is it important?
A detector may visually appear in good working order, but its sensitivity and accuracy can be inhibited by external
factors. Dust, humidity, temperature fluctuations, cleaning products, contaminants, exposure to its target gas or
sensor drift (ageing) can cause a decline in sensitivity, accuracy, and eventual failure.
How often?
Regular bump tests are important to make sure the detector can detect a release of gas as early as possible and
usually takes seconds (gas type dependant i.e., CO sensors will take over a minute) and is often completed alongside
a scheduled fire alarm test, however the frequency should be determined following an appropriate risk assessment by
the end user.
We recommend testing detectors every 12-18 months along with the regular fire test procedures and coincide with
the annual service message prompted on the detection system after each year of service/operation.
What do I need?
Contact your AGS representative for details of suitable bump testing kits and gases. Kits usually consist of a certified
gas cylinder or spray. We recommend only using AGS calibration gas kits to ensure correct flow rates meet AGS
technical requirements. A bump testing gas is usually a concentration mix that exceeds the highest alarm set point.
