MSA Altair QuickCheck Station User manual

Operating Manual
ALTAIR QuickCheck Station
ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck Station
Order No. 10079853/01

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

Declaration of ConformityMSA
ALTAIR QuickCheck Station/ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck Station
GB 3
Declaration of Conformity
Manufactured by: Mine Safety Appliances Company
1000 Cranberry Woods Drive
Cranberry Township, PA 16066 USA
European authorized representative:
MSA AUER GmbH
Thiemannstrasse 1
D-12059 Berlin
We declare that the
ALTAIR QuickCheck Station
and
ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck Station
is in conformance with the European EMC Directives 2004/108/EC and in accordance
with European standards
EN 61000-6-1:2007 and EN 61000-6-3:2007
MSA AUER GmbH
Dr. Axel Schubert
R&D Instruments
Berlin, June 2009

MSAContents
ALTAIR QuickCheck Station/ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck Station
4GB
Contents
1 Safety Regulations ................................................................................................. 5
1.1 Correct Use .................................................................................................. 5
1.2 Liability Information ....................................................................................... 5
1.3 Safety and Precautionary Measures to be Adopted ..................................... 6
2 Description ............................................................................................................. 7
2.1 System overview .......................................................................................... 7
2.2 Instrument Setup .......................................................................................... 8
3 Operation .............................................................................................................. 10
3.1 Automatic Version ...................................................................................... 10
3.2 Manual Version for ALTAIR QuickCheck Station ....................................... 11
3.3 Test Failure ................................................................................................. 12
3.4 Gas Tolerance Levels ................................................................................. 13
4 Maintenance ......................................................................................................... 14
4.1 Troubleshooting .......................................................................................... 14
4.2 Instructions for Troubleshooting ................................................................. 15
5 Technical Specifications ..................................................................................... 17
6 Ordering Information ........................................................................................... 19
6.1 ALTAIR QuickCheck Station Versions ....................................................... 19
6.2 ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck Station Versions .................................................... 19
6.3 Replacement parts ..................................................................................... 19
6.4 ALTAIR QuickCheck Test Gas Cylinders ................................................... 20
6.5 ALTAIR 4 Quick Check Test Gas Cylinders ............................................... 20

Safety RegulationsMSA
ALTAIR QuickCheck Station/ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck Station
GB 5
1 Safety Regulations
1.1 Correct Use
The QuickCheck Stations, hereafter referred to as test units, verify instrument re-
sponses to gas [bump check] and alarm functionality, with the
ALTAIR QuickCheck Station testing ALTAIR and ALTAIR PRO gas detectors and
the ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck Station testing ALTAIR 4 gas detectors.
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.
Alternative use, or use outside this specification will be considered as non-compli-
ance. 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 respon-
sibility 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.
Danger!
This product is supporting life and health. Inappropriate use, mainte-
nance or servicing may affect the function of the device and thereby se-
riously 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 compe-
tent servicing/maintenance has not been made, genuine MSA spare
parts have not been used.

MSASafety Regulations
ALTAIR QuickCheck Station/ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck Station
6GB
1.3 Safety and Precautionary Measures to be Adopted
- Please ensure the test unit in use corresponds to the gas type of instrument to
be tested. All test units are only to be used with the specific gas for which they
are labelled.
- Use the test unit only in non-hazardous environments.
- Repair or alteration of the test unit, beyond the procedures described in this
manual or by anyone other than a person authorized by MSA, could cause the
instrument to fail to perform properly.
- Use only genuine MSA replacement parts when performing any maintenance
procedures described in this manual. Substitution of components can seriously
impair instrument performance, alter intrinsic safety characteristics or void
agency approvals.
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.

DescriptionMSA
ALTAIR QuickCheck Station/ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck Station
GB 7
2 Description
2.1 System overview
Fig. 1 Instrument view
1 Test unit housing 4c Fail LED
2 Alarm test LED 5 ALTAIR instrument *)
3 Gas test LED 6 Gas cylinder *)
4a Pass/Fail and confidence pulse LED 7 Regulator *)
4b Pass and confidence Pulse LED
*) These parts may be sold seperately.
7
6
5
4a312
7
6
4b3
1
24c

MSADescription
ALTAIR QuickCheck Station/ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck Station
8GB
The Test Unit
- uses a microphone to detect the audible alarm.
- electronically checks the instrument’s visual LED alarm.
- electronically checks the instrument's standard vibrating alarm for ALTAIR and
ALTAIR PRO.
The ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck does not detect vibrating alarm funcionality.
- tests the instrument’s response to a known concentration of gas.
The ALTAIR, ALTAIR PRO and ALTAIR 4 instruments record the date, time, and
result of a bump test internally in their event recorder.
2.2 Instrument Setup
(1) Place the test unit on a level surface in an atmosphere with an ambient noise
level of 60 dB or less.
Test unit power requirement is 6 VDC from a 115 - 230 VAC 50 - 60 Hz sup-
ply to the power cord.
(2) Connect 6 VDC power cord to the receptor at the back of the unit.
(3) To connect tubing, attach one end of tubing to the regulator barb fitting and the
other end to the test unit barb fitting.
(4) Connect regulator to the necessary gas cylinder [Æchapter 6.4 and 6.5].
For ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck Station, place the plastic cap over the unused
barb fitting on the opposite side of test unit.
The audible alarm is not checked on ALTAIR instruments with software
version 1.0.
Attention!
Only the specified gas concentrations may be used with the test unit.
Attention!
The vehicle power supply for the test unit must only be used when the
vehicle is stationary. If it is intended to be used when the vehicle is mo-
ving both the cylinder and test unit must be fixed to the interior of the ve-
hicle.

DescriptionMSA
ALTAIR QuickCheck Station/ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck Station
GB 9
The ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck can be:
- used with an ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck Cylinder Holder with the supplied adapter
and tubing
- mounted on either side of the ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck Cylinder Holder.
When using the cylinder holder:
- mount the cylinder holder adapter to the desired side of the cylinder holder with
the provided screws.
- attach one end of of provided tubing to the cylinder holder gas fitting and the
other to the gas fitting on the test unit. Ensure that the tubing is fully seated over
the barbs to prevent gas from leaking.
- connect the test unit to the remaining side of the cylinder holder with the provi-
ded screws.
- up to two ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck test units can be used with an ALTAIR 4
QuickCheck Cylinder Holder.
Fig. 2 ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck Station Setup
Warning!
Use of more than two test units per regulator may cause erroneous re-
sults.
Attention!
Before operation, be sure to cover unused gas fittings located on each
side of the test unit and cylinder holder with the supplied fitting cover.

MSAOperation
ALTAIR QuickCheck Station/ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck Station
10 GB
3 Operation
3.1 Automatic Version
(1) Verify tubing is connected and power is supplied.
The Pass/Fail LED or Pass LED flashes green in 30 s intervals, serving as
a confidence pulse to indicate that unit is powered.
(2) Verify that automatic regulator is ON.
(3) Press ALTAIR or ALTAIR PRO TEST button for one second.
(4) Insert instrument into the test unit.
The following test sequence occurs:
Alarm Test
- checks for functionality of audible and visual alarm
- checks for functionality of vibrating alarm for ALTAIR and ALTAIR PRO
- corresponds with "Alarm Test" LED
- LED flashes amber during test
- green LED indicates passing
- red LED indicates failure
- Alarms disabled by the user will not be tested by the test unit; the test unit will
view these as passing, but ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck Station displays a solid am-
ber LED
Gas Test
- verifies that sensor responds to gas
- corresponds with "Gas Test" LED
- LED flashes amber during test
- green LED indicates passing
- red LED indicates failure.
On the ALTAIR 4 instrument no button needs to be pressed.

OperationMSA
ALTAIR QuickCheck Station/ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck Station
GB 11
Overall Pass/Fail Test
- corresponds with "Pass/Fail" LED or "Pass" or "Fail" LED
- green LED indicates passing
- red LED indicates failure
- checkmark symbol appears on instrument display when it is successfully bump
checked
- Failure of either of the two previous tests results in an overall failure. If alarms
are turned OFF, but all other functions are working correctly, the overall test
passes.
(5) After a Pass/Fail indication is given, remove instrument from the test unit.
The ALTAIR QuickCheck LEDs automatically turn OFF if the instrument is left in the
cradle for more than 30 seconds after a passed test.
The ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck LEDs do not turn OFF until the instrument is removed
from the QuickCheck Station.
3.2 Manual Version for ALTAIR QuickCheck Station
(1) Verify tubing is connected and power is supplied.
The Pass/Fail LED or Pass LED flashes green in 30 s intervals, serving as
a confidence pulse to indicate that unit is powered.
(2) Press the instrument TEST button for one second.
(3) Insert the instrument into the test unit.
(4) Turn ON regulator.
The following test sequence occurs:
Alarm Test
- checks for functionality of the three alarms [audible, visual and vibrating]
- corresponds with "Alarm Test" LED
- LED flashes amber during test
- green LED indicates passing
- red LED indicates failure
- Alarms disabled by the user will not be tested by the test unit; the test unit will
view these as passing.

MSAOperation
ALTAIR QuickCheck Station/ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck Station
12 GB
Gas Test
- verifies that sensor responds to gas
- corresponds with "Gas Test" LED
- LED flashes amber during test
- green LED indicates passing
- red LED indicates failure.
Overall Pass/Fail Test
- corresponds with "Pass/Fail" LED
- green LED indicates passing
- red LED indicates failure
- checkmark symbol appears on instrument display when it is successfully bump
checked
- Failure of either of the two previous tests results in an overall failure.
(5) After a Pass/Fail indication is given, remove instrument from the test unit.
(6) Turn OFF the regulator.
The ALTAIR QuickCheck LEDs automatically turn OFF if the instrument is left in the
cradle for more than 30 seconds after a passed test.
3.3 Test Failure
If the detector fails the gas test, recalibrate instrument and perform another bump
test. If the detector fails the Alarm Test or continues to fail the bump test see
chapter 4.1.
If an instrument is removed from the test unit before test completion, the:
- instrument is not properly bump tested
-testfails
- checkmark symbol does not appear on instrument display.
A failed or aborted test removes the checkmark symbol from the instrument display.
Attention!
Failure to turn OFF the regulator will empty the gas cylinder.

OperationMSA
ALTAIR QuickCheck Station/ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck Station
GB 13
3.4 Gas Tolerance Levels
Testing time may vary based on:
- instrument software version
- sensor condition
- gas tolerance level
The gas tolerance level can be found on the label located on the bottom of the
ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck Station.
During a test, the gas tolerance level indicates where the read gas levels must be
to pass the gas test.
For example
If a 30% gas tolerance level QuickCheck is used and the calibration cylinder con-
tains 60 ppm CO, the instrument sensor must read above 42 ppm CO for the gas
test to pass.
[60 - (60*0.30) = 42].
Oxygen is the only exception to this calculation.
Oxygen passes a test if the reading:
- for the 20% gas tolerance unit is less than or equal to 17% O2
- for the 30% gas tolerance unit is less than or equal to 18% O2
- for the 40% gas tolerance unit is less than or equal to 19% O2
- for the 50% gas tolerance unit is less than or equal to 19.5% O2.
The gas tolerance level indicates the accuracy of the instrument reading, verified
by the bump check [based on a +0% accurate gas cylinder] as follows:
LEL, CO, and H2S Units
Attention!
For ALTAIR 4, a value of 15% vol must be used as a calibration concen-
tration for O2.
Gas tolerance level Accuracy
20% 80%
30% 70%
40% 60%
50% 50%

MSAMaintenance
ALTAIR QuickCheck Station/ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck Station
14 GB
O2Unit
As a reference, a full calibration sets the instrument response to the accuracy of the
calibration cylinder.
4 Maintenance
4.1 Troubleshooting
The test unit operates reliably when handled properly.
If the unit becomes inoperative, refer to the Troubleshooting Guidelines, which in-
dicate the most likely causes of a problem.
Inoperative units that are under warranty may be returned to MSA.
Gas tolerance level Accuracy
20% 87%
30% 80%
40% 73%
50% 70%
Warning!
Repair or alteration of the test unit, beyond the procedures described in
this manual or by anyone other than a person authorized by MSA, could
cause the unit to fail to perform properly. Use only genuine MSA replace-
ment parts when performing any maintenance procedures described in
this manual.
Substitution of components can seriously impair performance of the unit,
alter intrinsic safety characteristics or void agency approvals. Failure to
follow this warning can result in serious personal injury or death.
Clean with a damp cloth only when unit is unplugged. Allow to dry before
providing power to the unit.

MaintenanceMSA
ALTAIR QuickCheck Station/ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck Station
GB 15
4.2 Instructions for Troubleshooting
Problem Description Reaction
Alarm Test Failure Alarm chamber plugged
with dirt or debris.
Check for contamination in
alarm chamber and on instru-
ment; clean as needed.
Alarm non-functional Press instrument TEST button;
if no sound occurs during alarm
check, contact MSA.
Instrument LEDs acti-
vated, but LEDs do not
light during alarm test
LEDs non-functional Press instrument TEST button;
if LEDs are non-functional,
contact MSA.
Vibrating alarm is acti-
vated on ALTAIR or
ALTAIR PRO instru-
ment, but it does not vi-
brate during Alarm test
Vibrator Alarm non-func-
tional
Press instrument TEST button;
if vibrator alarm is non-func-
tional, contact MSA.
Gas Test Failure No gas in calibration cyl-
inder
Check pressure gauge on cali-
bration cylinder.
Instrument requires cali-
bration
Calibrate instrument.
Calibration cylinder tub-
ing improperly installed
Verify tubing is fully connected
to station fitting.
Station gas delivery out-
let plugged with dirt.
Clean gas delivery outlet.
Instrument inlet is
blocked
Check for blockage and re-
move if necessary.
Wrong calibration cylin-
der
Verify that calibration cylinder
is the same gas type as the in-
strument.
Wrong calibration gas
concentration
Check manual and calibration
cylinder for proper concentra-
tion.
Regulator closed Ensure regulator is opened or
turned ON before placing the
instrument into the station.

MSAMaintenance
ALTAIR QuickCheck Station/ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck Station
16 GB
Expired Cylinder Check expiration date of cali-
bration cylinder; replace if ne-
cessary.
Incorrect regulator Verify that station is used with
the recommended regulator.
Station not responding
to instrument
The unit is not powered Check power connections to
unit
ALTAIR or ALTAIR PRO
TEST button pressed for
less than one second pri-
or to instrument place-
ment in station
Remove instrument; press and
hold TEST button for one full
second before placing instru-
ment into the unit
Instrument not fully seat-
ed
Fully seat instrument in station
No checkmark ap-
pears on instrument af-
ter a bump test
Instrument removed prior
to test completion
Re-test instrument
Failed test Check instrument for operation
Problem Description Reaction

Technical SpecificationsMSA
ALTAIR QuickCheck Station/ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck Station
GB 17
5 Technical Specifications
For use with ALTAIR Single Gas Detector All versions
ALTAIR PRO
Single Gas Detector
O2, CO, CO Steel, CO Fire,
H2S, HCN, Cl2and ClO2, SO2,
NO2and NH3
ALTAIR 4 Gas Detector All versions
Tests performed Visual alarm activation
Vibrating alarm activation with
ALTAIR QuickCheck Station
only
Audible alarm activation and
verification
Sensor response to gas
General pass fail indication
Visual indicators LED indicators For alarm test, gas test and
general pass/fail or pass and
fail
Flashing amber Test in progress
Solid red Failed test
Solid green Passed test
Solid amber Test not perfomed
Checkmark Displays on instrument for
24 hours following a passed
test
ALTAIR Quick-
Check Station
Manual Features a 0.25 l/min manual
regulator that user turns ON
during testing
ALTAIR Quick-
Check Station
ALTAIR 4 Quick-
Check Station
Automatic Features a 0.25 l/min automa-
tic regulator that pulls gas as
needed
Testing time Average Less than 30 seconds for
ALTAIR QuickCheck
Less than 1 minute for
ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck

MSATechnical Specifications
ALTAIR QuickCheck Station/ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck Station
18 GB
Dimensions
[L x B x H]
ALTAIR QuickCheck
ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck
16.5 cm x 12.1 cm x 5.1 cm
22.2 cm x 16.6 cm x 9.2 cm
Weight ALTAIR QuickCheck
ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck
245 g
Less than 700 g
Power supply 115/230 VAC, 50/60 Hz
6 VDC [Only use MSA
power supply Æchapter 6]
Temperature
range
0°C to +40°C
Ingress
Protection
ALTAIR QuickCheck IP 30
Warranty ALTAIR QuickCheck
ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck
2 years

Ordering InformationMSA
ALTAIR QuickCheck Station/ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck Station
GB 19
6 Ordering Information
6.1 ALTAIR QuickCheck Station Versions
*) For manual versions of the ALTAIR QuickCheck Station, a manual regulator and
regulator tubing must be purchased separately.
6.2 ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck Station Versions
6.3 Replacement parts
Gas type Regulator Regulator included Part No.
O2, CO, H2S, SO2, NO2Manual *) No 10076693
O2, CO, H2S, SO2, NO2Automatic Yes 10076705
Cl2, ClO2Manual *) No 10076702
Cl2, ClO2Automatic Yes 10076714
NH3Manual *) No 10076696
NH3Automatic Yes 10076708
HCN Manual *) No 10076699
HCN Automatic Yes 10076711
Gas type Regulator Gas
SPAN
Regulator
included Part No.
Ex, O2, CO, H2S Automatic 50% No 10101554
Ex, O2, CO, H2S Automatic 40% No 10101555
Ex, O2, CO, H2S Automatic 30% No 10101556
Ex, O2, CO, H2S Automatic 20% No 10101557
Description Part No.
European Power Supply 10104873
Vehicle Power Supply 10049410
Regulator Tubing 10077384
Automatic-Gas Regulator 10075893
Manual Regulator 478359
Single Cylinder Holder 710386
ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck Cylinder Holder 10101085

MSAOrdering Information
ALTAIR QuickCheck Station/ALTAIR 4 QuickCheck Station
20 GB
6.4 ALTAIR QuickCheck Test Gas Cylinders
6.5 ALTAIR 4 Quick Check Test Gas Cylinders
Sensors Gas Concentration for QuickCheck Cylinder type Part No.
H2S 40 ppm RP 10011727
CO 60 ppm RP 10073231
O25% RP 10081672
NO210 ppm RP 10029521
SO210 ppm RP 10079806
NH325 ppm RP 10079807
Cl210 ppm RP 10011939
ClO22 ppm Cl2RP 711082
HCN 10 ppm RP 711072
Description Part No.
Gas Can RP (58 l) 1.45% CH4, 15% O2, 60 ppm CO, 20 ppm H2S 10053022