Explanation of terminology

A means for measuring the concentration of one or more target gases using a detector tube and a gas sampling pump

A device for aspirating a specific volume of air to be sampled into the detector tube

By pulling the fully retracted (pushed-in) pump handle, a complete vacuum is created inside the pump cylinder, which in turn aspirates (draws in) the air sample into the attached detector tube

Used for some gas detector tube systems; an air sample is first drawn into a syringe before being injected into the detector tube

Most gas detector tubes are thin glass tubes, with calibration scales printed right on them, so you can directly read concentrations of the target gases and vapours to be measured; each tube contains detection reagents that are especially sensitive to the target substance and quickly produce a distinct layer of colour change

The carrier is a matrix in granulated form that preserves the reagent; GASTEC uses silica gel, alumina, celite, silica sand, etc

This is the general term used to describe a particular chemical (e.g. silica gel, alumina, etc.) in the detector or reaction tube that serves to bind the reagent to the carrier and preserve it;
detection reagents, reactants, oxidants, scrubbers, and desiccants, all fall under this category

This term refers to the chemical within the calibrated portion of the detector tube which reacts with the target gas and discolours, whereby, the existence of the target gas is established

A chemical agent that transforms the target gas into a measurable substance

A chemical agent that oxidises the target gas and converts it into a measurable substance

A chemical that removes the effects of any interferents in the gas sample

A chemical additive that removes moisture

One of the basic types of gas sampling pump

A sealing sleeve that is used on the adhesion surface of a cylinder and piston; it resembles a lip and is extremely airtight (hence, it is called a lip seal)

This refers to the rubber flange portion of the sampling pump's inlet port which holds the detector tube in place

Stuffing material (which is tightly packed into both ends of a detector tube) prevents the content of the tube from becoming loose or dislodged. GASTEC uses polyethylene, glass wool, as well as other material

The calibrated concentration range which is printed on the detector tubes and can be directly read to determine the concentration value of the target gas (after the standard number of sampling strokes has been completed)

The maximum range in which sampling (i.e. measuring) is possible with a certain detector tube; it often involves changing the number of pump (sampling) strokes; by doing so the sampling range can be extended beyond the calibrated scale on the tube

The lowest threshold of target substance concentration that can be detected with the individual detector tube; it is only barely detectable with the naked eye through a slight discolouration (at the entry to the detection agent area)

The time that should be allowed to ensure full completion of one pump stroke (aspiration)

The time required from commencement of sampling time (pulling the handle for the first pump stroke) and attempting to read the calibrated scale: Measuring time = the amount of time (required to complete one pump stroke [aspiration]) x number of pump strokes

The change in colour of the detection agent due to the chemical reaction

The period for which the accuracy of a detector tube is guaranteed, provided that it is stored correctly (in accordance with the storage instructions)

A method for correcting any measurement/reading for any accuracy-affecting external factors

A gas of known concentration level(s) that is used to set (calibrate) or correct (recalibrate) detector tube or sensor based gas measuring systems

The amount of air that can be aspirated (drawn) into the gas sampling pump

There are two evaluation methods for indication accuracy:(1) When the spread in indicated values is to be evaluated the coefficient of variance (CV) is used(2) When overall evaluation of both the accuracy of the indicated values is intended, the standard deviation (in %) is used

The tip of the discolouration in a detector tube should be slanted after sampling/measurement is completed

The entry portion (zero point) of the detection agent should be slanting

The difference between the indicated value(s) of a detector tube and the true concentration

When rather than being concentrated within a narrow range, the indicated values (or their mean values) extend across a broad range

The number of times the (fully retracted) gas sampling pump handle is pulled out in order to aspirate (draw) a gas sample into a detector tube

Indicated value = This defines the number of pump strokes necessary for direct reading of the value(s) indicated on a detector tube (without any corrections, adjustments or calculations being necessary)

The target substance's concentration is determined by the length of the discoloured layer in the detector tube (the longer the discolouration the higher the concentration); GASTEC detector tubes belong use this principle

Detector tubes with calibrated scales printed right on them allow the target gas concentration(s) to be "read directly"; it was GASTEC who pioneered this type of tube in Japan

The length of the reagent layer that discolours when the detection agent in the detector tube reacts with the target substance

Indicates the relationship between the concentration of target gas and the discolouration (layer) length; it is used to accurately calibrate the detector tube

Zero is calibrated (printed) on the detector tube at the point from where the detection agent is filled in

The value indicated by reading the tip of the slanted discolouration in the detector tube

Anything of finite mass that occupies space is called "matter"; and any such substance can be found in any of three basic states: gas, liquid, and solid; depending on such factors as chemical composition, temperature, pressure

A gas is a phase of matter which expands indefinitely to fill any containment vessel; it is characterized as having a low density

A liquid is a phase of matter which at standard temperature is free to conform to any shape of vessel but has a fixed volume as well as a greater density than a gas

A solid is a phase of matter characterized by a definite volume and shape, for instance: a metal, or quartz; moreover, a solid resists external forces to change its shape

This refers to the "air" that is extracted, or "sampled" in order to determine the target gas(es)' concentration in it during environmental measurement of gas (usually, for specific chemical experimentation, examination or analysis)

The gas whose concentration is to be measured/determined

A substance which has the characteristic of substantively deteriorating (transforming) any other substance it comes into contact with

Any substance which which gives off an odour that is generally considered to be unpleasant

Primarily carbon or hydrogen based organic compounds (frequently having oxygen or halogen atoms as well) which have the ability to dissolve (break down) other substances

The term generally refers to gaseous inorganic compounds, which usually have their counterpart of the same name in the organic compounds

Very fine oil particles or droplets that are airborne

An interferent is any gas that will cause a similar chemical reaction in a detector tube than the target gas. This affects the accuracy of the reading

A gas, other than the target gas, that is also present in an air/gas sample

This refers to the temperature range in which a gas measuring instrument (e.g. detector tube system) can be operated; it is NOT the ambient temperature of the air sample , but, the temperature of the detector tube and the gas sampling pump, precise, accurate measurements can only be ensured within this range

Some detector tubes are susceptible to the effects of temperature, in which case the values read off the detector tube, need to be adjusted or corrected accordingly

Some detector tubes are susceptible to the effects of humidity, in which case the values read off the detector tube, need to be adjusted or corrected accordingly

Drastic changes in atmospheric pressure, can also affect the accuracy of detector tube readings, so that they need to be adjusted or corrected accordingly

The rate (speed) at which the quantity of each component substance changes during the course of a chemical reaction

The phenomenon in which one substance is transformed into another due to environmental change or interaction(s) with other substances

When an acid reacts with a base

In its most basic form oxidation is a chemical reaction with oxygen;essentially, oxidation is a reciprocal process in which one agent is reduced and one oxidised as well as a transfer of electrons occurs.

Any substance that is given off when a substance changes in a chemical reaction with with itself or other substances

When a compound is broken down (decomposed) due to the effects of heat

The type of measurement with detector tubes that is conducted according to a fixed volume of sampling (rather than over a certain period of time)

The type of measurement with detector tubes that is conducted over a certain amount of time (rather than with a fixed volume of sampling)

Additional gases, other than the target gas(es) that the detector tube was designed and calibrated for, can also be measured by the detector tube scale to be multiplied by a conversion coefficient to obtain a value indicative for the alternate gas in question.

This sampling process entails the use of a pump with which the sample is extracted and aspirated (drawn) into the detector tube

The system utilising natural gaseous diffusion as the extraction method for the gas sample

The GASTEC quality control number printed on every detector tube which is affixed to all products (of the same lot) manufactured under identical (or equivalent) strictly controlled conditions

The degree of filling in a detector tube (how tightly the reagents are packed into the tube)

The procedure (within the manufacturing process of chemicals including detection reagents, fillers, etc.) for compounding the chemicals to adhere to the carrier

The final inspection phase in which it is assessed and recorded whether the completed detector tube fulfills its stipulated requirements as a product

Performance inspection periodically conducted during the term of validity of the detector tube products

Investigates the airtightness of a gas sampling pump

In order to ensure the accuracy of GASTEC products should always be stored as per their enclosed instructions

Acronym of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (USA)

Any company-wide program or system for quality assurance

The requirements placed on the performance of a specific product

Threshold Limit Value / Time Weighted Average
TLV stands for Threshold Limit Value which is the maximum permissible concentration of a substance (usually expressed in parts per million in air) for some defined period of time (usually 8 hours, but sometimes for 40 hours per week over an assumed working lifetime). These values, vary somewhat from country to country, and are contained in laws and regulations to varying extents as well
TWA stands for Time Weighted Average which is the common term used in the specification of Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) to define the average concentration of a chemical to which it is permissible to expose a worker to over a period of time, usually 8 hours

Threshold Limit Value/Time Weighted Average
TLV-STEL stands for Threshold Limit Value, Short Term Exposure Limit, which is the maximum concentration permitted for a continuous 15-minutes exposure period.

Japanese industrial standard (JIS) for gas measuring systems utilizing detector tubes.

Japanese industrial standard (JIS) for long-term measurement carbon monoxide detectors.

Workplace atmospheres — Short term detector tube measurement systems — Requirements and test methods

Abbreviation for International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry

Abbreviation for American National Standards Institute