By Brian Zaitz
Have you ever been on a gas leak call and heard over the radio: “We have 50% gas in here!” Likely this was not the case, but rather a situation were the operator did not know how to read the instrument. Atmospheric monitoring is a critical function in the fire service. It is used to determine if gas is leaking in or out of a structure as well as a means to determine the safety of the air for firefighters working on the fireground. While we are not all有害物质technicians, it is important that we understand how to read a four-gas monitor and what the instrument is telling us.
大多数四气仪具有标准氧，一氧化碳，硫化氢和较低的爆炸性极限（LEL）。氧气始终是标准的，因为它对生命至关重要 - 氧气很少，而生命无法维持。氧气在大气中的百分比测量，通常约为21％。请注意，尽管氧气太少是一件坏事，所以氧气太多了。如果发现读数为24-27％的氧气，请注意，某件事不正确。同样，1％的变化等于每百万分之10,000（ppm。因此，如果氧气读数为19.9％，正常为20.9％，则在大气中有10,000 ppm的东西……始终在谨慎的方面出错。
一氧化碳（CO）是对火山的有用测量，因为它是有毒双胞胎之一（与氰化氢一起），并且是燃烧的副产品。CO在PPM中进行测量，部门标准操作指南（SOG）将决定相对于CO读数的独立呼吸器的划分。
Hydrogen sulfide is commonly referred to as sewer gas due to its pungent aroma; it too is measured in ppm.
LEL is used to determine gas readings. It is measured as a percentage, but unlike oxygen it is not a percentage of the atmosphere but rather a percentage of the lower explosive limit of the gas. Example: A 20 percent LEL reading indicates the atmosphere is contains 20 percent of the lower explosive limit of the gas. Again, department SOGs will dictate action levels for LEL readings.
Many detectors are also being fitted with photoionization capabilities to measure volatile organic compounds. These carbon-containing compounds are chemicals such as benzene and toluene and almost always致癌. With the recent rise infirefighter癌症，许多人正在采取步骤尝试不识别，而是认识到他们在火场上的存在。重要的是要了解乐器告诉您的内容，并将其与您与您合作的人的安全和安全相关。就像Halligan和AX一样，使用大气监视器并理解它至关重要。
Download this drill as a PDF这里(242 KB).
布莱恩·扎伊茨（Brian Zaitz）是一名14年的消防员学生，目前被分配为船长/训练officer with the Metro West (MO) Fire Protection District. Brian is an instructor with Engine House Training, LLC as well as instructor at the St. Louis County Fire Academy. Brian holds several degrees, including an associates in paramedic technology, a bachelors in fire science management, and a masters in human resource development. Brian is currently and accredited chief training officer and student of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program.
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