MSA altair 5 User manual

Order No.: 10094177/00 Y-HLS
Operating Manual
ALTAIR 5 – Multi Gas Detector
ALTAIR 5IR – Multi Gas Detector

MSA AUER GmbH
D-12059 Berlin
Thiemannstrasse 1
Germany
© MSA AUER GmbH. All rights reserved

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MSA DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
ALTAIR 5 - Operating Manual 3
Declaration of Conformity
MANUFACTURED BY: Mine Safety Appliances Company
1000 Cranberry Woods Drive
Cranberry Township, PA 16066 USA
The manufacturer or the European Authorized Representative
MSA AUER GmbH, Thiemannstrasse 1, D-12059 Berlin
declares that the product: MSA ALTAIR 5
Complies with the provisions of the council directive 94/9/EC (ATEX).
This declaration is based on the EC-Type Examination Certificate
FTZU 08 ATEX 0340 X
in accordance with Annex III of the ATEX Directive 94/9/EC.
Quality Assurance Notification issued by Ineris of France, Notified Body number
0080, in accordance with Annex IV of the ATEX Directive 94/9/EC.
We additionally declare that this product is in conformance with the EMC Directive
2004 / 108/ EC in accordance with the standards
DIN EN 50270: 2007 Typ 2, DIN EN 61000 - 6 - 3 :2007
MSA AUER GmbH
Dr. Axel Schubert
R & D Instruments Berlin, April 2009

GB
DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY MSA
4ALTAIR 5 - Operating Manual
Declaration of Conformity
MANUFACTURED BY: Mine Safety Appliances Company
1000 Cranberry Woods Drive
Cranberry Township, PA 16066 USA
The manufacturer or the European Authorized Representative
MSA AUER GmbH, Thiemannstrasse 1, D-12059 Berlin
declares that the product: MSA ALTAIR 5IR
Complies with the provisions of the council directive 94/9/EC (ATEX).
This declaration is based on the EC-Type Examination Certificate
FTZU 09 ATEX 0006 X
in accordance with Annex III of the ATEX Directive 94/9/EC.
Quality Assurance Notification issued by Ineris of France, Notified Body number
0080, in accordance with Annex IV of the ATEX Directive 94/9/EC.
We additionally declare that this product is in conformance with the EMC Directive
2004 / 108/ EC in accordance with the standards
DIN EN 50270: 2007 Typ 2, DIN EN 61000 - 6 - 3 :2007
MSA AUER GmbH
Dr. Axel Schubert
R & D Instruments Berlin, April 2009

GB
MSA CONTENTS
ALTAIR 5 - Operating Manual 5
Contents
1. Instrument Safety ..................................................................................... 7
1.1. Correct Use ..................................................................................... 7
1.2. Liability Information ......................................................................... 8
1.3. Safety and Precautionary Measures to be Adopted ........................ 8
1.4. Warranty........................................................................................ 11
2. Description.............................................................................................. 12
2.1. Instrument Overview ..................................................................... 12
2.2. Device Hardware Interfaces .......................................................... 13
2.3. On-Screen Indicators .................................................................... 15
2.4. Viewing Optional Displays............................................................. 19
2.5. Sensor Missing Alarm ................................................................... 22
2.6. Monitoring Toxic Gases................................................................. 23
2.7. Monitoring the Oxygen Concentration ........................................... 24
2.8. Monitoring Combustible Gases ..................................................... 25
3. Operation................................................................................................. 26
3.1. Environmental Factors .................................................................. 26
3.2. Turning ON and Fresh Air Setup ................................................... 27
3.3. Measurement Mode (Normal Operation)....................................... 30
3.4. Instrument Setup ........................................................................... 31
3.5. Data Logging................................................................................. 39
3.6. Function Tests on the Instrument .................................................. 39
3.7. Safe LED....................................................................................... 40
3.8. Calibration Check .......................................................................... 40
3.9. Calibration ..................................................................................... 41
3.10. Instrument Shutdown .................................................................... 44

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CONTENTS MSA
6ALTAIR 5 - Operating Manual
4. Maintenance............................................................................................ 45
4.1. Troubleshooting ............................................................................ 46
4.2. Verifying Pump Operation ............................................................. 47
4.3. Replacing the Battery.................................................................... 48
4.4. Live Maintenance Procedure - Replacing or Adding a Sensor ...... 49
4.5. Replacing the Filter (for instruments with integral pump) .............. 51
4.6. Cleaning the Instrument ................................................................ 51
4.7. Storage.......................................................................................... 51
4.8. Shipment ....................................................................................... 51
5. Technical Specifications/Certifications................................................ 52
5.1. Technical Specifications................................................................ 52
5.2. Factory-set Alarm thresholds ........................................................ 53
5.3. IR sensors ..................................................................................... 54
5.4. Certifications ................................................................................. 56
5.5. Performance Specification ............................................................ 57
6. Order Information................................................................................... 59
7. Appendix – Flow Charts......................................................................... 64
7.1. Start Up Sequence (Power ON) .................................................... 64
7.2. Normal Operation.......................................................................... 65
7.3. Options from Main Page................................................................ 66
7.4. Password Protected Options......................................................... 67
7.5. Menu Sequence from Main page .................................................. 68
7.6. Calibration Sequence.................................................................... 70
7.7. Calibration Options........................................................................ 71
7.8. Alarm Options ............................................................................... 72
7.9. Instrument Options........................................................................ 74

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MSA INSTRUMENT SAFETY
ALTAIR 5 - Operating Manual 7
1. Instrument Safety
1.1. Correct Use
The ALTAIR 5 and ALTAIR 5 IR Multigas Detectors are for use by trained and
qualified personnel. They are designed to be used when performing a hazard
assessment to:
•Assess potential worker exposure to combustible and toxic gases and
vapours as well as low level of oxygen.
•Determine the appropriate gas and vapour monitoring needed for
a workplace.
The ALTAIR 5 and ALTAIR 5 IR Multigas Detectors can be equipped to detect:
•Combustible gases and certain combustible vapours
•Oxygen-deficient or oxygen-rich atmospheres
•Specific toxic gases for which a sensor is installed.
The ALTAIR 5 and ALTAIR 5 IR Multigas Detectors are designed to:
•Detect gases and vapours in air only
•Detect only specified toxic gases for which a sensor is installed (available
sensors see Chapter 6).
While the instrument can detect up to 25 % oxygen in ambient air, it is
approved for use only up to 21 % oxygen.
•Read and follow all instructions carefully.
•Perform a blocked flow test before each day's use if equipped with an integral
pump.
•Check calibration before each day's use and adjust if necessary.
•Check calibration more frequently if exposed to silicone, silicates, lead-
containing compounds, hydrogen sulphide, or high contaminant levels.
•Recheck calibration if unit is subjected to physical shock.
•Use only to detect gases/vapours for which a sensor is installed.
•Do not use to detect combustible dusts or mists.
•Make sure adequate oxygen is present.
•Do not block sensors.
•Never block the pump inlet except to perform a sampling safety test.
•Have a trained and qualified person interpret instrument readings.
•Do not remove battery pack from instrument while in a hazardous location.
•Do not recharge Li Ion battery in a combustible location.
•Do not replace alkaline batteries in a combustible location.
•Do not alter or modify instrument.
•Use only MSA-approved sampling lines.

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INSTRUMENT SAFETY MSA
8 ALTAIR 5 - Operating Manual
•Do not use silicone tubing or sampling lines.
•Wait sufficient time for the reading; response times vary, based on gas and
length of sampling line.
•Do not use the instrument with integral pump for prolonged periods in an
atmosphere containing a concentration of fuel or solvent vapours that may be
greater than 10%LEL.
It is imperative that this operating manual be read and observed when using the
product. In particular, the safety instructions, as well as the information for the use
and operation of the product, must be carefully read and observed. Furthermore,
the national regulations applicable in the user's country must be taken into
account for a safe use.
Danger!
This product is supporting life and health. Inappropriate use,
maintenance or servicing may affect the function of the device and
thereby seriously compromise the user's life.
Before use the product operability must be verified. The product must
not be used if the function test is unsuccessful, it is damaged, a
competent servicing/maintenance has not been made, genuine MSA
spare parts have not been used.
Alternative use, or use outside this specification will be considered as non-
compliance. This also applies especially to unauthorised alterations to the product
and to commissioning work that has not been carried out by MSA or authorised
persons.
1.2. Liability Information
MSA accepts no liability in cases where the product has been used
inappropriately or not as intended. The selection and use of the product are the
exclusive responsibility of the individual operator.
Product liability claims, warranties also as guarantees made by MSA with respect
to the product are voided, if it is not used, serviced or maintained in accordance
with the instructions in this manual.
1.3. Safety and Precautionary Measures to be Adopted
Perform a blocked flow test (see chapter 4.2) before each day's use if equipped
with an integral pump.
MSA recommends to check the instrument's functionality (see chapter 3.6) and
carry out a routine inspection each day before use.
Perform calibration check (see chapter 3.8) before each day's use to verify proper
instrument operation. Adjust calibration if the readings are not within the specified
limits.

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MSA INSTRUMENT SAFETY
ALTAIR 5 - Operating Manual 9
Check calibration more frequently if the unit is subjected to physical shock or high
levels of contaminants. Also, check calibration more frequently if the tested
atmosphere contains the following materials, which may desensitise the
combustible gas sensor and reduce its readings:
•Organic silicones
•Silicates
•Lead-containing compounds
•Hydrogen sulphide exposures over 200 ppm or exposures over 50 ppm
for one minute.
•The minimum concentration of a combustible gas in air that can ignite is
defined as the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL).
A combustible gas reading of "100” or "5.00” indicates the atmosphere is
above 100 % LEL or 5.00 %vol CH4, and an explosion hazard exists.
Move away from hazardous area immediately.
•Do not use the ALTAIR 5 Multigas Detector to test for combustible or toxic
gases in the following atmospheres as this may result in erroneous readings:
•Oxygen-deficient or oxygen-rich atmospheres
•Reducing atmospheres
•Furnace stacks
•Inert environments
•Atmospheres containing combustible airborne mists/dusts.
Measurement in the above atmospheres (except oxygen-rich
atmospheres) can be done with the infrared sensor in the ALTAIR 5 IR.
•Do not use the ALTAIR 5 and ALTAIR 5 IR Multigas Detectors to test for
combustible gases in atmospheres containing vapours from liquids with a high
flash point (above 38 °C, 100°F) as this may result in erroneously low
readings.
•Do not block sensor openings as this may cause inaccurate readings. Do not
press on the face of the sensors, as this may damage them and cause
erroneous readings. Do not use compressed air to clean the sensor holes, as
the pressure may damage the sensors.
•Allow sufficient time for unit to display accurate reading. Response times vary
based on the type of sensor being utilised (see chapter 5.5, "Performance
Specifications"). Additionally, when using a sample pump, allow a minimum of
1 second per foot (3 seconds per metre) of sample line to allow the sample to
be drawn through the sensors.
•Sampling lines made from 1.57 mm (0.062 inch) inner diameter tubing provide
fast transport times to the instrument; however, they must be limited to 15 m
(50 feet) in length.

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INSTRUMENT SAFETY MSA
10 ALTAIR 5 - Operating Manual
•MSA does not recommend the use of sampling lines in monitoring for reactive
toxic gases (Cl2, ClO2, NH3).
•All instrument readings and information must be interpreted by someone
trained and qualified in interpreting instrument readings in relation to the
specific environment, industrial practice and exposure limitations.
Risk of explosion: Do not recharge instrument in hazardous area.
Do not replace batteries in hazardous area.
Observe proper battery maintenance
Use only battery chargers made available by MSA for use with this instrument;
other chargers may damage the battery pack and the unit. Dispose of in
accordance with local health and safety regulations.
Be aware of environmental conditions
A number of environmental factors may affect the oxygen sensor readings,
including changes in pressure, humidity and temperature.
Pressure and humidity changes affect the amount of oxygen actually present in
the atmosphere.
Be aware of the procedures for handling electrostatically sensitive
electronics
The instrument contains electrostatically sensitive components. Do not open or
repair the unit without using appropriate electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection.
The warranty does not cover damage caused by electrostatic discharges.
Be aware of the product regulations
Follow all relevant national regulations applicable in the country of use.
Be aware of the warranty regulations
The warranties made by Mine Safety Appliances Company with respect to the
product are voided if the product is not used and maintained in accordance with
the instructions in this manual. Please protect yourself and others by following
them. We encourage our customers to write or call regarding this equipment prior
to use or for any additional information relative to use or service.