Professional Documents
Culture Documents
CONTENT
1.0 PURPOSE
2.0 SCOPE
3.0 REFERENCES
4.0 DEFINITIONS
5.0 RESPONSIBILITIES
6.0 REQUIREMENTS
SUPPLEMENTS:
Supplement 2.709-1, Confined Space Entry Atmospheric Limits
Supplement 2.709-2, Portable Gas Monitor Alarm Set Points
Supplement 2.709-3, Portable Gas Monitor Limitations and Precautions
Supplement 2.709-4, Daily Inspection and Function Test Log
1.0 PURPOSE
The purpose of this general Instruction (GI) is to provide information regarding the use of portable gas
monitors (Industrial Scientific [ISC] models LTX310, MX4, MX6 and TMX412) to perform atmospheric gas
tests as required by GI 2.100, Work Permit System. Tests for hydrogen sulfide (H2S), oxygen concentration,
combustible gases, and/or any other toxic substances (e.g., carbon monoxide) shall be performed before
issuing work permits and either continuously or periodically during work activities, as necessary. The Saudi
Aramco-approved gas monitoring equipment and their accessories are used to continuously and
simultaneously monitor the presence of combustible gases or vapors, toxic substances and oxygen
concentration in air.
2.0 SCOPE
2.1 This instruction applies to all gas testing activities during construction, commissioning, start-up,
operation, maintenance, and demolition at Saudi Aramco (SA) facilities and SA project sites in
accordance with GI 2.100.
2.2 This instruction is not a manual of how to operate portable gas monitors.
2.3 The equipment manufacturer's instruction manuals shall be consulted and utilized where applicable when
operating, calibrating or function testing portable gas monitoring instruments.
2.4 Any conflict with this instruction and other applicable engineering standards (SAES), engineering
procedures (SAEPs), or codes used by Saudi Aramco shall be referred to the appropriate standards
committee chairman for resolution.
3.0 REFERENCES
4.0 DEFINITIONS
4.1 Alarm set point: The selected gas concentration level at which an alarm is activated.
4.2 Asphyxiant: A vapor or gas which can cause unconsciousness or death by suffocation (lack of oxygen).
4.3 Atmosphere-supplying respirator: A respirator that provides breathing air from a source independent of
the surrounding atmosphere. There are two types: air-line and self-contained breathing apparatus.
4.4 Calibration gas: A gas of known concentration(s) used to set the instrument span or alarm level(s).
4.5 Confined space: Any space that:
Has limited or restricted means of entry or exit.
Is not designed for human occupancy.
Contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere.
Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard(s).
Examples of confined spaces include tanks, vessels, vessel skirts, vaults, manholes, sewers, valve
boxes and structures or excavations 1.2 m (4 ft.) deep or deeper. Areas above floating roof tanks
where the top of the roof is more than 1.2 m (4 ft.) below the rim of the tank are also considered
confined spaces.
4.6 Flammable mixture: Hydrocarbon mixtures composed of various volatile compounds. Flammable
materials contain vapors or gases which are potentially explosive and can ignite when exposed to an
open flame or ignition source.
4.7 Function test: A function test, or bump test, involves exposing the instrument’s sensors to a known gas
concentration to indicate that the instrument will respond accordingly and that all alarms operate as they
were designed and calibrated.
4.8 Gas test: Analysis, using a company-approved gas monitoring instrument, of an atmospheric sample to
determine the concentration of oxygen, and presence of combustible or toxic gases.
4.9 Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH): An atmospheric concentration of any toxic,
corrosive or asphyxiant substance that poses an immediate threat to life or would cause irreversible or
delayed adverse health effects or would interfere with an individual's ability to escape from a dangerous
atmosphere.
4.10 Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): The lower vapor concentration boundary, for a specific compound or
material of interest, at which the vapor-air mixture will propagate a flame (i.e., explode) if ignited.
When testing for combustible gas using gas monitoring instruments, the amount of combustible gas
present is specified in terms of % LEL: 0% LEL being a combustible gas-free atmosphere and 100%
LEL being an atmosphere in which the gas is at its lower explosive limit.
4.11 Oxygen deficient: An atmosphere that contains less than 20.0% oxygen.
4.12 Oxygen enriched: An atmosphere that contains more than 23.5% oxygen.
4.13 Parts per million (ppm): Parts of air by volume of vapor or gas or other contaminant. Used to measure
air concentrations of vapors and gases (10,000 ppm = 1% concentration by volume).
4.14 Sensor: A sensor (also called detector) is a converter that measures a physical quantity and converts it
into a signal which can be read by an electronic instrument. A gas detecting sensor converts the
presence of a gas or vapor into a measurable signal.
4.15 Threshold Limit Value (TLV): A time-weighted average concentration under which most people can
work consistently for 8 hours a day, day after day, with no harmful effects. A table of these values and
accompanying precautions is published annually by the American Conference of Governmental
Industrial Hygienists.
5.0 RESPONSIBILITIES
5.1.4 Instruct employees to complete the gas testing e-Learning module available on the Training &
Development (T&D) intranet site (http://tdonline.aramco.com.sa) prior to enrollment for gas
testing certification in order to enhance their knowledge of gas testing techniques and
requirements.
5.1.5 Ensure gas testing personnel are trained, tested and certified every two years, in the correct use
of gas testing equipment. Certified gas testers shall be informed of updates or changes to
company and/or department requirements regarding use of portable gas monitors.
5.1.6 Department/division heads shall authorize employees as certified gas testers and issue
certificates after successful completion of the gas testing training (in accordance with Section
6.2), and pass the subsequent certification test. Individuals will be certified on the specific gas
monitoring equipment they have been trained on.
5.1.7 Ensure users of ISC gas monitor models LTX310, MX4, MX6 and TMX412 conduct daily pre-
use instrument checks in accordance with Section 6.22.
5.1.8 Verify that each instrument is properly calibrated every three months. Proponent organizations
should immediately notify the vendor of any non-functional or faulty gas monitor.
5.1.9 Arrange for any defective or damaged LTX310, MX4, MX6 or TMX412 instruments and any
key accessories (such as the DS2 docking station, SP402 sampling pump, four-unit charger,
etc.) to be sent to the vendor’s service center for necessary repairs.
5.1.10 Portable gas monitor MX4 may be calibrated by the user in an appropriate location using the
Docking Station (DS2). The location of installing the DS2 shall be decided by the proponent.
5.3.4 Conduct daily pre-use checks for the ISC LTX310, MX4, MX6 and TMX412 gas monitors in
accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Results of the pre-use checks shall be recorded
on a daily log sheet.
5.3.5 Conduct required gas tests for combustible atmospheres, toxic atmospheres (e.g., hydrogen
sulfide), oxygen concentration and additional air contaminants as required in accordance with
GI 2.100 requirements and this instruction. Gas test limits shall meet the requirements of
Section 6 to determine if safe working conditions exist, before a work permit is issued.
5.3.6 Enter the gas test results on the respective work permit and sign the corresponding gas testers
section (i.e., Section 6 of the work permit).
6.0 REQUIREMENTS
6.1 Only personnel having a valid gas testing certificate issued by T&D and signed by the gas testers’
division head may perform gas tests in accordance with the requirements of GI 2.100, or use the ISC
LTX310, MX4, MX6 or TMX412 devices to monitor atmospheric conditions.
6.2 Gas testing personnel shall be trained, tested and re-certified every two years in the correct use of gas
testing equipment. Training includes the curriculum offered by T&D (BET #40069981, Gas Testing
Program 2012).
6.3 Gas testers shall carry a valid certificate issued by T&D and signed by the gas testers’ respective
division head.
6.4 Atmospheric gas testing is required at all locations where injury to personnel or damage to property
could occur due to the presence of combustible gases, toxic gases, or oxygen enriched/deficient
atmospheres. Atmospheric gas testing shall be performed, but not be limited to the following work
activities/situations:
6.4.1 Oxygen (O2) testing shall be conducted for:
a) All confined space entry activities.
b) All areas which may have a potential for an oxygen deficient or enriched atmosphere.
6.4.2 Combustible gas testing (i.e., LEL) shall be conducted for:
a) All confined space entry activities.
b) All hot work in restricted areas, as defined in G.I. 2.100.
c) All work locations where combustible gases are or may be present.
6.4.3 Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas testing shall be conducted for:
a) All confined space entry activities where H2S may be present.
b) Jobs in areas where sour crude/gas is produced, transported, stored or processed and
where proponent organizations determine that H2S gas testing is necessary.
c) Jobs in close proximity to sewage treatment plants and sewer lift stations.
d) All work locations where H2S monitoring is required for work or operational purposes.
6.4.4 Carbon monoxide (CO) gas testing shall be conducted for all confined space entry activities
that involve combustion (e.g., welding, torch cutting).
6.5 Other toxic gas testing should be conducted for all work locations where other toxic gas(es) or vapor(s)
is(are) or may be present. Examples of other toxic gases include carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide
(CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), chlorine (Cl2), ammonia (NH3), hydrogen chloride (HCl), and mercury
vapor (Hg). LPD should be consulted when questions arise regarding other toxic gas testing.
6.6 The work permit issuer must determine when periodic, frequent or continuous gas monitoring is
required, specify the requirement on the associated work permit, and make arrangements to have a
certified gas tester available to perform required tests.
6.7 The person conducting gas tests in an atmosphere known or suspected of being potentially hazardous
should enter the area only after donning adequate personal protective equipment, including but not
limited to appropriate respiratory protection equipment, e.g., self-contained breathing apparatus
(SCBA). Refer to GI 1780.001 for details.
6.8 Hot work is not permitted if the atmosphere is above 0% of the lower explosive limit (LEL).
6.9 Work is not permitted if the atmosphere has an O2 concentration above 23.5%, or above 50% of the
LEL.
6.10 A breathing apparatus (e.g., self-contained breathing apparatus [SCBA]) shall be used if any of the
following atmospheric conditions exist:
6.10.1 O2 concentration is less than 20.0%.
6.10.2 Flammable/combustible mixtures are at or above 5% and less than 50% of the LEL.
6.10.3 H2S concentration is between 10 and 100 parts per million (ppm).
6.11 The proponent organization division head must countersign applicable work permits when H2S
concentrations are between 10 and 100 ppm, or O2 concentration is below 20.0%, per GI 2.100.
6.12 Atmospheric conditions prior to entry or during work inside a confined space shall meet the
requirements as specified in Supplement 2.709-1, Confined Space Atmospheric Limits.
6.13 Atmospheric gas tests for a confined space shall be performed and immediately recorded:
6.13.1 Prior to entry
6.13.2 After breaks or other interruptions
6.13.3 If there is any reason to believe that conditions inside the confined space have changed
6.13.4 At periodic intervals (e.g., every 2 hours) or continuously as necessary to determine whether
acceptable atmospheric conditions are being maintained during the course of the confined space
entry.
6.14 Initial gas testing prior to entering a confined space shall be performed with all mechanical ventilation
shut down at least 15 minutes prior to testing. Additional testing (e.g., after breaks) shall be conducted
with the ventilation system turned on to ensure that contaminants are being removed and that the
ventilation system is not the source of contamination.
6.15 Confined space entry is not permitted at concentrations above 23.5% O2, at or above 50% LEL, above
1,200 ppm CO, above 100 ppm H2S, or above the IDLH of any other potential toxic gas.
6.16 Whenever testing of the atmosphere results in a gas monitor alarm condition (see Supplement 2.709-2,
Portable Gas Monitor Alarm Set Points), work shall be stopped until proper controls are implemented,
appropriate work procedures established and suitable personal protective equipment is used.
Note: The reason for stopping the work, the time and other relevant information should be written on
the applicable work permit per GI 2.100.
6.17 SA-approved portable gas monitoring equipment (i.e., ICS LTX310, MX4, MX6 and TMX412) and
their accessories (e.g., SP402 Sampling Pump, Calibration Gas Cylinder) are available via B2B. The
appropriate material numbers for these items are listed on the LPD intranet site
(http://lp.aramco.com.sa/site/services/equipment/other/default.aspx?equipment_id=9).
6.18 Operation of ISC models LTX310, MX4, MX6 and TMX412 shall follow manufacturer’s instructions
and the curriculum provided in BET #40069981. Guidance information on the operation of portable gas
monitors can be found on the LTX310 and TMX412 Gas Monitors, Ventis MX4 Features and Functions
and MX6 iBrid Features and Functions pamphlets, respectively. These guidance pamphlets can be
found on the LPD intranet site (http://lp.aramco.com.sa/site/education/publications)
6.19 The ISC models LTX310, MX4, MX6 and TMX412 have certain limitations which must be adhered to
per Supplement 2.709-3 in order to avoid potentially dangerous consequences.
6.20 Each gas testing instrument shall receive a full calibration of all sensors every three (3) months.
6.21 Each portable gas monitor instrument shall be calibrated either via the vendor’s service center or via the
on-site docking station (DS2). The location of installing DS2 devices should be decided by the
proponent.
6.22 Users of portable gas monitors shall conduct daily pre-use instrument checks. These checks should
include, but are not limited to, a visual inspection of the equipment and a function (bump) test. Results
of the checks should be recorded on a daily log sheet (see Supplement 2.709-4).
6.23 Function tests shall be conducted per the manufacturer’s instructions. Instructions for conducting
function tests are found on the respective portable gas monitor operating instructions.
6.24 If a portable gas monitor instrument does not successfully pass the pre-use instrument checks, it shall be
removed from service and repaired/calibrated accordingly.
6.25 The useful life of function test gas canister is designated by expiration date on canister. Any expired or
spent canisters are to be disposed of by sending them to the nearest Storehouse Operations Reclamation
facility. Completion of Saudi Aramco e-Form 112 (Material Disposal Form) is required to request this
service.
1.0 The following conditions are required prior to entry into or work inside a confined space:
1.0 The following alarm set points have been established for Saudi Aramco portable gas monitoring
instruments (i.e., ISC LTX310, MX4, MX6 and TMX412):
1.1 Oxygen (O2):
Low Alarm: 20.0%
High Alarm: 23.5%
1.2 Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): 5%
2.0 Alarm set points for substances/gases not covered under this GI will be established through consultation
with LPD and the Environmental Protection Department.
1.0 The Industrial Scientific [ISC] models LTX310, MX4, MX6 and TMX412 have certain limitations which
must be adhered to in order to avoid potentially dangerous consequences.
2.0 Function test the instrument in a clean environment at the beginning of each shift using a known
concentration of test gas. If the monitor does not pass the function (bump) test, a full calibration is required.
Only use a portable gas monitor with a valid calibration date.
3.0 Servicing the unit, replacing or recharging battery packs, or using the communications port (for MX4/MX6
models) must only be performed in a nonhazardous environment.
4.0 Portable gas monitors are susceptible to poisoning of the sensors when exposed to vapors containing
appreciable concentration of contaminants such as:
4.1 Tetra Ethyl Lead (e.g., from leaded gasoline or associated sludge/residue).
4.2 Silicone vapors from greases, etc. Silicone compound vapors or other contaminants may affect the
combustible gas sensor and cause readings to be lower than actual gas concentrations.
4.3 The effects of these poisons are that they reduce sensitivity to respective sensors. Any instrument
exposed to such vapors without an appropriate filer in place to remove the contaminants must be
function tested. If it fails the test, the affected instrument must be sent for service prior to use.
5.0 To ensure combustible gas testing accuracy (i.e., LEL), the sampled atmospheres should contain at least
16% oxygen by volume (unless the IR sensor of the MX6 is being used). Oxygen deficient atmospheres
may cause combustible gas readings to be lower than actual concentrations.
6.0 Oxygen enriched atmospheres (i.e., O2 > 23.5%) may cause combustible gas readings to be higher than
actual concentrations.
7.0 Obstructions of the sensor openings and/or contamination of the water barriers may cause readings to be
lower than actual gas concentrations,
8.0 The Ventis MX4 is certified for use in Class I, Zone 1 hazardous locations within an ambient temperature
range of -20 °C to +50 °C. The MX6 iBrid is certified for use in Class I, Zone 1 hazardous locations within
an ambient temperature range of -20 °C to +40 °C (with the alkaline battery pack) and -20 °C to +55 °C
(with the Li-ion battery pack).
9.0 Minimize prolonged exposure to high temperature environments. The LTX310 and TMX412 instruments
should not be exposed to a temperature of 50 °C for more than 8 hours.
10.0 High over-range conditions may indicate explosive gas concentrations.
11.0 Physical abuse such as crushing or drowning the instrument, using unapproved materials, or performing
service or repairs by an unauthorized provider will nullify the manufacturer’s warranty.
12.0 For maximum safety and operations performance, read and understand the respective operations manuals
for each portable gas monitor available online at www.indsci.com.
SUPPLEMENT 2.709-4
Gas Function
Visual Inspection Leak Test
Test Checked by Remarks
Date Instrument SP402 SP402 Instrument
P F P F P F P F
__________________________
Supervising Operator
Note: Conduct an inspection and function test at the beginning of each day or prior to use in accordance with GI
2.709, Section 6.20. The results of the daily checks are recorded on the above Daily Inspection and
Function Test Log. Remarks should reflect failure of any pre-use checks or function tests.
P = Pass F = Fail (Check P or F)