MSA Altair Pro User manual

ALTAIR®Pro
Single Gas Detector
Operating Manual
In North America, to contact your nearest stocking location, dial toll-free 1-800-MSA-2222
To contact MSA International, dial 724-776-8626 or 1-800-MSA-7777
© MINE SAFETY APPLIANCES COMPANY 2011 - All Rights Reserved
This manual is available on the internet at www.msanet.com
Manufactured by
MSA NORTH AMERICA
1000 Cranberry Woods Drive, Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania 16066
(L) Rev 4 10074734

i
THIS MANUAL MUST BE CAREFULLY READ BY ALL INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE OR WILL
HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR USING OR SERVICING THE PRODUCT. Like any piece
of complex equipment, this instrument will perform as designed only if it is used and
serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. OTHERWISE, IT COULD
FAIL TO PERFORM AS DESIGNED AND PERSONS WHO RELY ON THIS PRODUCT FOR
THEIR SAFETY COULD SUSTAIN SEVERE PERSONAL IN URY OR LOSS OF LIFE.
The warranties made by Mine Safety Appliances Company with respect to the product
are voided if the product is not used and serviced 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 repairs.
"! WARNING

Table of Contents
Chapter 1,
Instrument Safety and Certifications . . . . . .1-1
ertifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-2
Figure 2-1. ALTAIR Pro Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-1
Figure 2-2. ALTAIR Pro Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-1
Chapter 2,
Using the ALTAIR Pro Single Gas Detector .2-1
hanging Alarm Setpoints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2
To hange Alarm Setpoints Manually: . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2
Figure 2-3. ALTAIR Pro Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-4
Turning ON the ALTAIR Pro Single Gas Detector . . . . .2-5
Figure 2-4. ALTAIR Pro Turn-On Flow hart . . . . . .2-7
Battery Life Indicator (See FIGURE 2-2) . . . . . . . . . . .2-8
Battery Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-8
"AUTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-8
onfidence Indicator (see Figure 2-2) . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-9
Backlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-9
ALTAIR Pro Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-9
Toxic Gas Measurements (see figure 2-1) . . . . . . . . .2-9
"WARNING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-9
Oxygen Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-11
"WARNING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-11
Accessing the Instrument Pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-12
For All Versions (Excluding the Steel Mill Version): . .2-12
Steel Mill Version Only: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-14
Turning OFF the ALTAIR Pro Detector . . . . . . . . . . .2-15
Figure 2-5. Accessing ALTAIR Pro Pages
(Does not apply to the Steel Mill Version) . .2-16
Data Logging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-17
Session Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-17
Periodic Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-17
ii

Chapter 3,
ALTAIR Pro Function Checks . . . . . . . . . . . .3-1
onfidence and Heartbeat Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-1
Alarm Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-1
Bump Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-1
Figure 3-1. Bump Test Flow hart . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-2
Table 3-1. Factory Set Default
alibration/Bump Test Values . . . . . . . . . . . .3-3
"WARNING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-1
Chapter 4,
Calibrating the ALTAIR Pro
Single Gas Detector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-1
alibrating the Toxic Gas Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-2
"AUTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-2
"WARNING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-3
Figure 4-1. alibration (Toxics) Flow hart . . . . . .4-4
alibrating an Oxygen Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-5
Figure 4-2 alibration (Oxygen) Flow hart . . . . . .4-6
Chapter 5,
Warranty, Maintenance, & Troubleshooting .5-1
MSA Portable Instrument Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-1
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-2
"WARNING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-2
Table 5-1. Troubleshooting Guidelines . . . . . . . . . .5-3
Repair Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-4
Replacing the ALTAIR Pro Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-4
Replacing the ALTAIR Pro Sensor
(Except Remote O2 Version) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-4
"AUTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-4
"AUTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-4
"AUTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-5
"AUTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-5
"WARNING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-5
Figure 5-1. Sensor and Battery Replacement
(Except Remote O2Version) . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-5
iii

Chapter 6,
Performance Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-1
Table 6-1. ertifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-1
Table 6-2. Instrument Specifications . . . . . . . . . . .6-2
Table 6-3. Oxygen
Typical Performance Specifications . . . . . . . .6-3
Table 6-4. Toxic Performance Specifications . . . . .6-3
Table 6-5. Data Logging Specifications . . . . . . . . .6-4
Chapter 7,
Replacement and Accessory Parts . . . . . . . .7-1
Table 7-1. Replacement Parts List . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-1
iv

1-1
Chapter 1,
Instrument Safety and Certifications
The ALTAIR Pro Single Gas Detector is:
• For use by trained, qualified personnel
• Designed to be used when performing a hazard assessment to
determine the appropriate gas monitoring needed for a workplace.
• To be used when performing a hazard assessment to:
• Assess potential worker exposure to Specific toxic gases
for which a sensor is installed
• Oxygen-deficient or oxygen-rich atmospheres for oxygen
versions only
NOTE: Although the ALTAIR Pro O2unit will detect up to 25%
oxygen, all ALTAIR Pro versions are not certified or classi-
fied for use in atmospheres containing more than 21.0%
oxygen.
• Read and follow all instructions carefully.
• Do not use this detector to sample the instrument’s
specified gas in gases other than air.
• Perform an alarm function check and a bump test
before each day’s use. If the instrument fails either
check, the instrument must be taken out of service.
• Recheck response and alarm function if the instrument
is subjected to physical shock.
• Do not alter this instrument or make repairs beyond
those specified in this manual. Only MSA-authorized
personnel may repair this unit; otherwise, damage may
result.
• This unit contains a lithium battery; dispose of
according to local regulations.
• Wait for an accurate reading; response times vary,
based on the gas being detected.
• Use only to detect a gas for which a sensor is
installed.
• Do not block sensor.
• Leave area immediately if a gas alarm condition is
reached.
"WARNING

1-2
• Do not use pressurized air to clean the sensor or
alarm holes.
• 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.
• ALTAIR Pro Detector’s gas sensors may have a cross-
sensitivity response to common interference gases
other than the gas it is designed to detect. In some
cases, this cross-sensitivity may be positive,
producing a reading higher than actual. In other cases,
it may be negative, giving lower readings or even
negative. Contact MSA for further details if cross-
sensitivity may be an issue.
••Conditions for Safe Use:
•When it is necessary to replace the battery, use
only a Lithium battery listed in TABLE 6-2.
INCORRECT USE OR FAILURE TO FOLLOW THIS WARNING
CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS PERSONAL IN URY OR DEATH.

Certifications
The ALTAIR Pro Single Gas Detector meets applicable industry and
government standards as indicated on the instrument Approval label
and specified in TABLE 6-1.
1-3

Chapter 2,
Using the ALTAIR Pro
Single Gas Detector
Fi ure 2-2. ALTAIR Pro Display
Fi ure 2-1. ALTAIR Pro Overview
2-1

Changing Alarm Setpoints
NOTE: Alarm setpoints can only be changed manually during instru-
ment setup, which can be entered after battery attachment or
reattachment. See FIGURE 2-3 for details. Alarm setpoints can
also be changed electronically using the the MSA FiveStar®
LINK®Software. The latest software version can be downloaded
from the MSA webpage (www.msanet.com).
To Change Alarm Setpoints Manually:
1. Ensure instrument is turned OFF before proceeding.
2. Remove and re-attach battery.
3. Turn instrument ON.
The unit must be turned ON before it can be used to warn the user
of a potentially hazardous condition.
a. To turn ON the personal protection instrument, press and hold
the "TEST" button for three seconds.
•"ON" displays during this time period.
NOTE: The Steel Mill version cannot be turned OFF without
removing the battery.
4. "ALARM", "SET", "?" displays for three seconds.
5. To change the alarm setpoints manually, press the button once
while "ALARM", "SET", "?" displays.
NOTE: If the TEST button is not pressed, the instrument turns ON,
as usual, after three seconds.
6. The Software Version displays for three seconds
7. The gas type displays for three seconds.
[" O", " O+" (steel mill version), "H2S", or "O2", etc.].
8. Alarm Setpoints are displayed:
• Low Alarm Setpoint for three seconds
• LO and ALARM icons turn ON
a. To change the low alarm setpoint, press the TEST button
when "LO" "ALARM" displays:
• "LO" "ALARM" "SET" "?" displays.
b. Press the TEST button in rapid succession to increment
the low alarm value.
2-2