1. ATMOSPHERIC MONITORING OPERATIONS
Gamber MSA Orian
4-GAS METER
WHAT DO THOSE NUMBERS AND NOISES MEAN?

2. TRAINING OBJECTIVES
All members shall show knowledge and proficiency in use of our four-gas monitoring meters.

3. DIGITAL NUMBERS AND SPONTANEOUS BEEPS
It is important to understand what you are monitoring for but also what the numbers indicate throughout your investigations process
Do not wait for the monitor to exhibit an audible alarm for you to realize you are in a bad place
Understanding what the digital numbers indicate are integral to everyday monitoring operations we may encounter during carbon monoxide incidents or natural gas leak investigations

4. INSPECTION PROCEDURES
Pre-Use Inspection
The “Pre-Use Inspection” should be done each morning during the engine’s daily inspection
Remove the unit into a fresh outside air environment
Turn the monitor on by depressing the “on/off” button
The monitor will perform its warm up operation
Use MSA FiveStar® 4-gas monitor for demonstrations correlating to each specific bullet

5. INSPECTION PROCEDURES
Pre-Use Inspection
Perform the “Fresh Air Set-Up” (in fresh air)
On the MSA when starting up the ZERO square will flash.
While flashing press and hold the RESET button until the ZERO stays on.
Once the Zero disappears it will be ready for use
Allow the monitor to obtain its readings
Shut the monitor off by depressing the “on/off” button when finished
Be sure all normal values are restored before shutting off
Use MSA FiveStar® 4-gas monitor for demonstrations correlating to each specific bullet

6. PRE-USE INSPECTION Visual Check
Ensure there is no damage to the outer case of the device
Inspect the sensor filters to ensure they are intact and free of obstruction
Inspect the top of the MSA monitors for dirt or thread damage.

7. PRE-USE INSPECTION The DO NOTs of Pre-Use Inspection
Never turn on the device in the vicinity of apparatus that is running
Never intentionally expose the device to hazardous or toxic substances (ie: exhaust from diesel motor or natural gas stove burner)
Never shut off the device unless you are in a fresh air environment

8. PURPOSE OF MONITORING
In the event of a suspected or confirmed hazardous atmosphere, the process of atmospheric monitoring shall be used to:
Begin Baseline Monitoring
Establish Operational Zones
Protect Responders and Public
Observe Incident Mitigation Progress

9. MONITORING CONSIDERATIONS
To gain better results while engaged in monitoring, the firefighter must adhere to following considerations while using the device
What you are attempting to monitor
Source of the hazardous atmospheric condition
Vapor Density Awareness

10. MONITORING CONSIDERATIONS
What you are attempting to monitor
What information was given at time of dispatch?
What information has the occupant made available upon arrival at the scene?
Is the information consistent with what you believe to be the problem?

11. MONITORING CONSIDERATIONS
Common Sources to Investigate for CO
Furnaces
Hot water heaters
Fireplaces
Kerosene heaters
Any gas appliance

12. MONITORING CONSIDERATIONS
Common Sources to Investigate for CO
Gasoline engines running inside garages or basements
BBQ grills
Faulty flues or exhaust pipes

13. MONITORING CONSIDERATIONS
Common Sources to Investigate for Flammable Gas
Furnaces
Hot water heaters
Fireplaces
Kerosene heaters

14. MONITORING CONSIDERATIONS
Vapor Density Awareness
Remember that you are more than likely monitoring the atmosphere for a substance that has taken the state of matter commonly known as a “gas”
Gases have the tendency to lie or rise in areas that correlate with their vapor density
When monitoring, be cognizant of the device’s position in relation to the substance’s vapor density

15. GENERAL MONITORING CONSIDERATIONS
Common Monitoring Errors
Wrong monitoring equipment
Activating the monitoring device once entry has been made into the hazardous environment
Monitoring technique is too fast
Not monitoring according to physical property of actual substance
4 gas monitor is not the correct monitor to be used in an acidic vapor environment
Turn on all monitoring equipment prior to entering the suspected environment
Monitoring takes time, do not run through the occupancy and expect accurate readings
If you monitoring for a specific chemical property, be sure the device is to be used for that particular property

16. MONITORING TECHNIQUES
To gain better results while engaged in monitoring, the firefighter must adhere to following techniques while using the device:
X and Y Axis Monitoring

17. MONITORING TECHNIQUES
X and Y Axis Monitoring
Within the room you are monitoring, place an imaginary X and Y axis directly in front of you and spot the device where the lines intersect X Y

18. MONITORING TECHNIQUES
X and Y Axis Monitoring
Move the device from side to side on the “X” axis and up and down on the “Y” axis X Y

19. MONITORING TECHNIQUES
X and Y Axis Monitoring
As you move over the lines on the axis, move slowly allowing the device to sample and interpret the atmospheric counts
MSA SOLARIS
LEL O2
0 20.3
CO H2S
0 0

20. WHAT CAN BE MONITORED Capabilities of the Monitoring Device
CO: Carbon Monoxide
O2: Oxygen
H2S: Hydrogen Sulfide
%LEL**
**Conversion Charts available for various combustible gases, MSA ORION Operator’s Manual; Pages 7-3.

21. MEASURING COMBUSTIBLE GAS CONCENTRATIONS
The Multi-gas Detectors are equipped to detect combustible gases in the atmosphere
Alarms sound when concentrations reach:
Alarm Set point
100% LEL (Lower Explosive Limit), 5% CH4(methane)

22. MEASURING COMBUSTIBLE GAS CONCENTRATIONS
When the combustible gas indication reaches the Alarm Set point:
Alarm sounds
Alarm lights flash
To silence the alarm, press the RESET button
NOTE: The alarm will stay silent only if the alarm condition has cleared.
When the combustible gas indication reaches 100% LEL or 5% CH4, the LockAlarm™ circuit locks the combustible gas reading and alarm and:
100 appears on the display and flashes
This alarm cannot be reset with the RESET button

23. MEASURING COMBUSTIBLE GAS CONCENTRATIONS
The LEL Number
Lower Explosive Level (LEL) and Upper Explosive Level (UEL) comprise what is known as the flammable range
The UEL variable is what a fire company must understand and be prepared to interpret
UEL is dangerous being that it is the minimum variable in the flammable range

24. MEASURING COMBUSTIBLE GAS CONCENTRATIONS
The LEL Number
When the device monitors for LEL, it is calibrated to interpret pentane
When the monitor displays its reading it will present as a percentage (%)
The percentage is a percentage of the overall LEL

25. MEASURING COMBUSTIBLE GAS CONCENTRATIONS
EXAMPLE:
Engine 3 is monitoring for gasoline vapors. Gasoline’s LEL is 1.4%. During the monitoring operation, it is noted the LEL reads 4%. Being that our monitors are calibrated to pentane, a conversion needs to be computed. Per the MSA ORION Operator’s Manual Cross Reference chart, the responder must multiply the LEL % reading by So, multiply 0.04 x The result should equate to This means there is 5% percent of the total 1.4% in the ambient atmosphere.

26. MEASURING COMBUSTIBLE GAS CONCENTRATIONS
INSTURMENT WITH ACTIVATED LEL DISPLAY

27. MEASURING TOXIC GAS CONCETRATIONS
The Multi-gas Detectors are equipped to detect:
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)
When the alarm set point is reached for Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S):
Alarm Sounds
Alarm Lights flash

28. MEASURING TOXIC GAS CONCETRATIONS
Carbon Monoxide is measured in “parts per million” (PPM)
PPM is the dose per million units of volume
In this case, PPM refers the dose of CO per million units of air

29. MEASURING TOXIC GAS CONCETRATIONS
Example:
1 PPM = 1/1,000,000 particle per volume
1 PPM is % of the atmosphere by volume
1 PPM
1,000,000 PPM

30. MEASURING TOXIC GAS CONCETRATIONS
Example:
Engine 3 is dispatched for a carbon monoxide investigation. While monitoring the atmosphere, the device indicates there is 42 PPM of CO.
If we take 42/1,000,000 we calculate that as or 0.042%
0.042% of the atmosphere is comprised of CO

31. MEASURING TOXIC GAS CONCETRATIONS
Be cognizant that Carbon Monoxide has a Threshold Limit Value (TLV) of 35 PPM
The “35 PPM” variable represents conditions under which it is believed a firefighter may be exposed day after day with no adverse effect
The 35 PPM is only an exposure guideline not a standard
If you suspect you are going to be exposed to any level of CO, it is advisable to protect your respiratory tract by donning SCBA

32. MEASURING COMBUSTIBLE TOXIC GAS CONCENTRATIONS
INSTURMENT WITH ACTIVATED TOXIC GAS DISPLAY

33. Alarm Levels Factory Settings CO High Alarm 35 PPM
H2S High Alarm 10 PPM
LEL High Alarm 10 % LEL
O2 High 22.0% Low 19.5%

34. CO INCIDENT RESPONSE GUIDELINES

35. CO INCIDENT RESPONSE GUIDELINES
CO Investigation with no Illness
One Unit with 4-Gas Meter
Non-emergency response
Consider Engine if driver is available
CO Investigation with Illness
Engine and Ambulance
Emergency response

36. CO INCIDENT OPERATIONS GUIDELINES

37. CO INCIDENT OPERATIONS GUIDELINES
Carbon Monoxide Incidents
Remove the unit into a fresh outside air environment
Turn the monitor on by depressing the “on/off” button
The monitor will perform its warm up operation
Perform the “Fresh Air Set-Up” (in fresh air)
On the MSA when starting up the ZERO square will flash.
While flashing press and hold the REST button until the ZERO stays on.
Once the Zero disappears it will be ready for use
Use MSA FiveStar® 4-gas monitor for demonstrations correlating to each specific bullet

38. CO INCIDENT OPERATIONS GUIDELINES
Carbon Monoxide Incidents
Allow the monitor to obtain its readings
Begin the investigation within the occupancy
Bring the device to a fresh air environment and allow all readings to return to normal
H2S, CO, and LEL should all indicate “0 PPM”
O2 should indicate between 19.5% and 23.5%
Shut the monitor off by depressing the “on/off” button when finished
Use MSA FiveStar® 4-gas monitor for demonstrations correlating to each specific bullet

39. CO INCIDENT OPERATIONS GUIDELINES
CO without illness
Ensure firefighter and resident safety
Investigate the occupancy for the presence of CO
Monitor the present level of CO
Determine a source or location of the CO release

40. CO INCIDENT OPERATIONS GUIDELINES
CO without illness
Discontinue the release of CO
Ventilate appropriately
Re-monitor the occupancy and note any improvement, worsening, or unchanged CO levels
Document the incident accordingly

41. CO INCIDENT OPERATIONS GUIDELINES
CO with illness
Immediately remove the person(s) from the suspected potential exposures
Triage and assess the patients
Treat per Maryland EMS System Protocols
Transport if necessary
Observe use of proper personal protective equipment
Full PPE and SCBA
Investigate the occupancy for the presence of CO
Monitor the present level of CO
Instructor may refer to the GEA MICP CO Poisoning SMO

42. CO INCIDENT OPERATIONS GUIDELINES
CO with illness
Determine a source or location of the CO release
Discontinue the release of CO
Ventilate appropriately
Re-monitor the occupancy and note any improvement, worsening, or unchanged CO levels
Document the incident accordingly

43. NATURAL GAS LEAK INCIDENT RESPONSE GUIDELINES

44. NATURAL GAS LEAK INCIDENT RESPONSE GUIDELINES
Outside & Inside gas leak
Out Side Gas Leak One Engine
Inside Gas Leak 2 Engines and 1 Special Service.

45. NATURAL GAS LEAK INCIDENT OPERATIONS GUIDELINES

46. NATURAL GAS LEAK INCIDENT OPERATIONS GUIDELINES
Natural Gas Leak Incidents
Remove the unit into a fresh outside air environment
Turn the monitor on by depressing the “on/off” button
The monitor will perform its warm up operation
Perform the “Fresh Air Set-Up” (in fresh air)
On the MSA when starting up the ZERO square will flash.
While flashing press and hold the REST button until the ZERO stays on.
Once the Zero disappears it will be ready for use.
Use MSA FiveStar® 4-gas monitor for demonstrations correlating to each specific bullet

47. NATURAL GAS LEAK INCIDENT OPERATIONS GUIDELINES
Natural Gas Leak Incidents
Allow the monitor to obtain its readings
Begin the investigation within the occupancy
Bring the device to a fresh air environment and allow all readings to return to normal
H2S, CO, and LEL should all indicate “0 PPM”
O2 should indicate between 19.5% and 23.5%
Shut the monitor off by depressing the “on/off” button when finished
Use MSA FiveStar® 4-gas monitor for demonstrations correlating to each specific bullet

48. NATURAL GAS LEAK INCIDENT OPERATIONS GUIDELINES
Outside Gas Leak
Observe use of proper personal protective equipment
Isolate area
Ensure firefighter and resident safety
Investigate the occupancy for the presence of gas
Make suppression considerations if exposures exist
Monitor the present level of combustible gas
Determine a source or location of the gas release

49. NATURAL GAS LEAK INCIDENT OPERATIONS GUIDELINES
Outside Gas Leak
Discontinue the release of gas
Ventilate appropriately
Re-monitor the occupancy and note any improvement, worsening, or unchanged gas levels
Notify BGE as needed
Document the incident accordingly

50. NATURAL GAS LEAK INCIDENT OPERATIONS GUIDELINES
Inside Gas Leak
Isolate area
Immediately remove the person(s) from the suspected potential exposures
Triage and assess the patients
Treat per Maryland EMS System Protocols
Transport if necessary
Instructor may refer to the GEA MICP CO Poisoning SMO

51. NATURAL GAS LEAK INCIDENT OPERATIONS GUIDELINES
Inside Gas Leak
Observe use of proper personal protective equipment
Determine the need for water supply
Investigate the occupancy for the presence of gas
Natural Gas
Propane
Monitor the present level of gas
Instructor may refer to the GEA MICP CO Poisoning SMO

52. Size up for Gas leaks

53. Size-up

54. NATURAL GAS LEAK INCIDENT OPERATIONS GUIDELINES
Inside Gas Leak
Determine a source or location of the gas release
Discontinue the release of gas
Ventilate appropriately
Re-monitor the occupancy and note any improvement, worsening, or unchanged gas levels
Document the incident accordingly

55. Location of Meters MSA Four gas Meters are carried on: E131 & E134
Duty 13

56. Meter Service
All Maintenance and Calibration is handled by our day time Engineers.
Any issues please document on the online forms on the members area.