Calibration and Service FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions · Frontline Safety

Yes, our gas detectors come calibrated and a certificate of calibration/service will be included with the unit.

Most portable gas detectors that we sell require calibration or service every 6 months/180 days.  This is advised by the manufacturers and the unit will be calibrated to count down from 180 days.  However, there are a few PID/VOC gas detectors that are set to be calibrated every 12 months.  If you are unsure how often your specific gas detector requires calibration, then email us at [email protected] or you can visit the live chat on our website and one of our agents will be able to advise you.

If your gas detector has been deemed as beyond economical repair (BER) or is unable to be repaired, then this may be down to a few reasons.  There may be too much damage to be repaired, it may be obsolete, the spare parts required are obsolete or the cost of the parts may be more than the actual cost of a new unit.  Our engineers will advise you if your unit is BER and will offset the cost of inspection against the cost of a new unit, should you wish to replace it.

A bump test is designed to check that a gas detector unit is operating properly and responds as it should to the presence of gas. A target gas is used to check that the sensors respond, that the visual alarm reacts and the vibrating alarm, if applicable. For more information on why this is important, visit our blog.

Of course, we can.  If the detector is part of the range that we supply and calibrate then we will be able to do this for you.  If it is a unit that we do not sell as standard, then feel free to contact us at [email protected] to check if this is something we can help with.  Once confirmed then follow the RMA procedure on our website to return your unit for service - www.frontline-safety.co.uk/rma. 

A bump test will check the response of a gas detector and whether it is detecting gas as it should, whereas a calibration test will check the accuracy of its response to gas.  A bump test is a qualitative test where the detector is briefly exposed to a concentration of gas to ensure all alarms and indicators alert.  A calibration test is a quantitative test as a set concentration of gas, determined by the type of detector, will demonstrate that the monitor is responding to specific gas limits.

Each gas detector responds differently to various temperatures and environments, so it is best to check the manual and specifications.  However, in terms of physical storage there should be a carry case available for your gas detector.  If there, isn't one recommended by the manufacturer then our team can certainly help with providing you with a carry case, suitable for your monitor?  Speak to our Sales Team on 0141 771 7749 or [email protected].

In most cases training can be provided, please send your request to [email protected] and one of our team will get back to you.

If your breathing apparatus has been deemed as beyond economical repair (BER) or is unable to be repaired, then this may be down to a few reasons.  There may be too much damage to be repaired, it may be obsolete, the spare parts required are obsolete or the cost of the parts may be more than the actual cost of a new set.  Our engineers will advise you if your unit is BER and will offset the cost of inspection against the cost of a new set, should you wish to replace it.

Once your unit has been received, the RMA form you have attached will allow our warehouse to book the unit in for service.  Our engineers will then inspect your unit and advise any additional work required, or the cost of the calibration/service.  Once the work is agreed our engineers will proceed and your unit will be despatched to you as soon as possible with its new certification.

This is dependant on which gases  are being used to calibrate.  Instruments containing sensors with ‘exotic’ gases may be subject to a higher calibration fee than detectors with the ‘standard 4’ gas mixture (H2S, CO, LEL, O2).

Like most instruments, any physical deterioration of the unit can impact on its ability to accrately detect gas. The instruments, and surrounding area, should be kept clear of obstruction and contamination (by dust, liquids, etc.) and should be inspected on a regular basis with any damage reported immediately to Frontline's engineers.

This will depend exactly on how the system is configured but, in most cases, yes. The Control System may be inhibited during the Calibration of the devices, meaning that parts of the system will not be able to detect gas, but this does not necessarily mean your Process(es) need to be disabled.

COSHH Risk Assessments are available for all calibration gases used during service.