PortaSens II
Gas Detector
C16 Leak Detector
O & M Manual
Rev. G, 11/07
- 8 -
RESPONSE TEST
Prior to using the detector for field measurements, it is recommended that the unit first be
tested for gas response. A response test simply means drawing a sample from some type of
container that will give off the type of gas you are looking to measure. The following are
examples of materials that can be used for a quick response test. Contact ATI if you have any
questions about this matter.
Sensor Type
Quick Test Material
Oxidant Sensors (except H
2
O
2
)
Dry calcium hypochlorite or liquid bleach
Hydrogen Peroxide
Sodium bisulfite in plastic bottle
Ammonia Sensor
Household ammonia solution
Carbon Monoxide
Cigarette smoke
Hydrogen
No simple test. Must test with cylinder hydrogen
Oxygen
Unit should read air levels
Nitric Oxide
No simple test. Must test with nitric oxide
Phosgene
No simple test. Must test with phosgene
Hydrogen Chloride
Two drops of conc. HCl in plastic bottle
Hydrogen Fluoride
Dry calcium hypochlorite or liquid bleach
Hydrogen Cyanide
Sodium bisulfite in plastic bottle
Hydrogen Sulfide
Sodium sulfide in plastic bottle
Nitrogen Dioxide
Dry calcium hypochlorite or liquid bleach
Sulfur Dioxide
Sodium bisulfite in plastic bottle
Hydride Gases
No simple test. Must test with hydride gas.
Hydrocarbon Gases
Rubbing alcohol
CAUTION:
When running response check using any type of liquid solutions, do not
draw liquid into the wand. Make sure that you only sample the gaseous
head space over the liquid.
Many of these materials can produce fairly high gas levels in closed containers, so it is
best when running a response check to approach the mouth of the bottle slowly with the tip of the
sampling wand. This will reduce the possibility of a large gas exposure to the sensor. While a
high exposure will do no harm, it can take quite a few minutes for some sensors to recover to
zero from high level exposure. The intent of the response check is simply to insure that the
sensor is responding to the intended gas.
