MSA ALTAIR PRO Series User manual

Order No.: 10079352/01
Operating Manual
ALTAIR PRO Single Gas Detector
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CONTENTS MSA
Contents
1. Safety Regulations .............................................................................................. 6
1.1. Correct Use ................................................................................................ 6
1.2. Liability Information .................................................................................... 6
1.3. Safety and Precautionary Measures to be Adopted ................................... 7
2. Description........................................................................................................... 8
2.1. Instrument Overview .................................................................................. 8
2.2. On-Screen Indicators ............................................................................... 10
2.3. Monitoring Toxic Gases............................................................................ 12
2.4. Monitoring the Oxygen Concentration ...................................................... 13
2.5. Duration of Use of the Instrument ............................................................ 14
3. Operation ........................................................................................................... 15
3.1. Changing Alarm Setpoints........................................................................ 15
3.2. Turning ON the Instrument....................................................................... 18
3.3. Toxic Gas Measurements ........................................................................ 21
3.4. Oxygen Measurements ............................................................................ 23
3.5. Displaying the Instrument Data - excluding the Steel Mill Version ........... 24
3.6. Displaying the Instrument Data - Steel Mill Version only.......................... 25
3.7. Turning OFF the Instrument ..................................................................... 26
3.8. Data Logging............................................................................................ 28
3.9. Function Tests on the Instrument............................................................. 29
3.10. Calibrating the Instrument ........................................................................ 31
4. Maintenance....................................................................................................... 37
4.1. Troubleshooting ....................................................................................... 37
4.2. Replacing the Battery............................................................................... 38
4.3. Replacing the Sensor............................................................................... 39
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MSA CONTENTS
5. Technical Specifications/Certifications........................................................... 40
5.1. Technical Specifications........................................................................... 40
5.2. Certifications ............................................................................................ 42
5.3. Test Gases Table ..................................................................................... 43
5.4. Oxygen Typical Performance Specifications ............................................ 43
5.5. Toxic Performance Specifications ............................................................ 43
5.6. Data Logging Specifications ..................................................................... 45
6. Order Information .............................................................................................. 46
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SAFETY REGULATIONS MSA
1. Safety Regulations
1.1. Correct Use
The ALTAIR PRO is a portable instrument for monitoring toxic gases and oxygen
deficiency or excess in the workplace. It is used exclusively for monitoring and not
for measuring gas concentrations in the ambient air. It must be serviced and
repaired by qualified and authorised personnel.
It is imperative that this operating manual be read and observed when using this
instrument. In particular, the safety instructions, as well as the information for the
use and operation of the apparatus, 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.
Attention!
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
apparatus 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.
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MSA SAFETY REGULATIONS
1.3. Safety and Precautionary Measures to be Adopted
Attention!
The following safety instructions must be observed implicitly. Only in
this way can the safety and health of the individual operators, and the
correct functioning of the instrument, be guaranteed.
Use instrument only for stipulated gases
The ALTAIR PRO is used for monitoring and detecting gases in the ambient air.
Thereby, it must be used only for gases for which a sensor is installed in the
instrument.
The sensor must not be blocked during use.
Observe oxygen concentration
Although the ALTAIR PRO unit will detect up to 25% oxygen, all ALTAIR PRO
versions are not certified or approfed for use in atmospheres containing more
than 21% oxygen.
Check function and alarm before each use
In case of failed function tests, the instrument must be removed from use.
Conduct additional tests after any significant impact
The instrument function should also be checked after severe mechanical stress
(dropping, impact etc.) and when the instrument or the sensors have been
exposed to silicon, silicates, lead-containing substances, hydrogen sulphide or
contaminated compounds.
Defective vibration alarm possible
At ambient temperatures < 0 °C, the vibration alarm can give a false alarm or can
fail completely. In such conditions, do no rely solely on the vibration alarm.
Observe BG information
In Germany, observe the BG information BGI 836 (5).
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DESCRIPTION MSA
2. Description
2.1. Instrument Overview
Fig. 1 Instrument view
1 Alarm LED 5 Button
2 Infrared port 6 Display with backlight
3 Sensor cover 7 Stipulated gas type
4 Acoustic alarm transmitter
The instrument is a portable gas meter for monitoring gases in the ambient air
and in the workplace.
The instrument is available in three models:
for monitoring oxygen
for monitoring hydrogen sulphide and
for monitoring carbon monoxide
The instrument can detect up to 25% oxygen in the ambient air.
However, all instrument models are calibrated and permitted only up to
21% oxygen-content.
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
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MSA DESCRIPTION
The response levels for the individual gases are set at the factory and cannot be
changed during operation. After commissioning the instrument, changes are
possible only with the MSA FiveStar® Link™Software version 4.4 or higher
(available as option; ÆDescription of software).
If the ambient air contains higher gas concentrations, the instrument
ignores the Fresh Air Setup and goes directly to measuring mode after
the self-test.
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DESCRIPTION MSA
2.2. On-Screen Indicators
Fig. 2 Display
1 Self-test in progress
2 Bump check indicator
3 Hour glass
4 Confidence indicator
5 Alarm indicator
6 Battery life indicator
7 Numeric indicator
8 Gas concentration units
Battery Life Indicator
Attention!
If an alarm is triggered while using the instrument as a monitor, leave
the area immediately.
Remaining on site under such circumstances can cause serious
damage to health or can even lead to death.
The battery condition icon continuously displays in the upper right-hand corner of
the display. As the battery is depleted, battery icon segments go blank until only
the outline of the battery icon remains.
Each battery indicator segment represents approximately 1/4 of the total battery
capacity.
1
6
7
3 4 5
8
2
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MSA DESCRIPTION
Battery Warning
A battery warning indicates that a nominal two days of operation remain before
the instrument's battery is depleted.
The duration of remaining instrument operation during battery warning
depends on ambient temperature (colder temperatures may reduce
battery life) and the number and duration of alarms during battery
warning.
When the ALTAIR PRO goes into battery warning the:
battery outline indicator flashes
audible alarm sounds every 30 seconds
alarm lights flash every 30 seconds
Battery Shut Down
Attention!
If a Battery Shutdown condition occurs, stop using the instrument and
leave the area immediately. The instrument can no longer alert you of
potential hazards since it does not have enough power to operate
properly.
Failure to follow this warning can result in serious personal injury or
death.
When the battery can no longer operate the instrument, the instrument goes into
Battery Shutdown mode:
battery outline indicator flashes
alarm icon turns ON
alarm sounds every 30 seconds
alarm lights flash
no gas reading display
display alternates between "BAT" and "ERR"
no other instrument pages can be viewed
The instrument remains in this state until it is turned OFF or the battery is
completely depleted. The alarm lights and the audible alarm can be silenced by
pushing the button.
When the instrument battery is running low, remove it from service and
replace the battery.
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DESCRIPTION MSA
Confidence indicator
The Confidence indicator flashes once every 60 seconds to notify the user that
the instrument is ON and operating normally. In addition, both LEDs will flash
briefly every 60 seconds.
Backlight
The backlight can be manually activated with a quick push of the button. The
backlight remains ON for 10 seconds.
2.3. Monitoring Toxic Gases
With the ALTAIR PRO, you can monitor the concentration of the following toxic
gases in the ambient air:
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S)
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
Ammonia (NH3)
Phosphine (PH3)
Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN)
Chlorine (Cl2)
Chlorine Dioxide (ClO2).
The ALTAIR PRO Detector displays the gas concentration in parts per million
(PPM) on the measuring page. The instrument remains on this page until another
page is selected or the instrument is turned OFF.
Attention!
If an alarm is triggered while using the instrument as a monitor, leave
the area immediately.
Remaining on site under such circumstances can cause serious
damage to health or can even lead to death.
There are four alarm setpoints in the instrument:
High Alarm
Low Alarm
STEL Alarm
TWA Alarm
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