Peach
Fire Department

Instructor-led discussion and hands-on familiarization with hazmat monitoring and detection equipment. Officer selects focus. Topics that fit this sheet include: 4-gas / 5-gas multi-gas meter operation (O₂ / LEL / CO / H₂S / VOC), bump test and full calibration procedures, action levels (O₂ < 19.5% or > 23.5% = IDLH; LEL > 10% = withdraw; CO > 35 ppm 8-hr / > 200 ppm IDLH; H₂S > 10 ppm action / > 100 ppm IDLH), photoionization detector (PID) for VOC measurement and ionization potential matching, colorimetric tubes, pH paper for liquid identification (acid / base / neutral), M-8 and M-9 paper for chemical agent identification (military / WMD context), radiation detection (alpha / beta / gamma; pancake probe; dose rate vs exposure rate; ALARA — As Low As Reasonably Achievable; time / distance / shielding), explosive trace detection (ETD), reflex testing on suspicious unknown solids and liquids, and the limitations of each meter (cross-sensitivity, response time, environmental factors — temperature, humidity, flow). Reference: NFPA 470, OSHA 1910.120, manufacturer manuals. Document specific equipment and topic covered.

1. 1. State the action levels for O₂, LEL, CO, and H₂S on a 4-gas meter.
2. 2. Perform a bump test on the multi-gas meter.
3. 3. Identify the appropriate detection tool for a given product class.
4. 4. Apply ALARA principles to radiation operations.
5. 5. Recognize meter limitations and cross-sensitivity issues.

For firefighters from other departments.