SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY (Saudi Aramco) G. I. No.

Approved

GENERAL INSTRUCTION MANUAL 2.709

ISSUE DATE REPLACES
ISSUING ORG. LOSS PREVENTION DEPARTMENT 07/01/2016 01/09/2013
APPROVAL PAGE NO.
SUBJECT GAS TESTING USING PORTABLE GAS MONITORS AAG 3 OF 12

4.12 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.
4.13 Oxygen Deficient: An atmosphere that contains less than 20.0% oxygen.
4.14 Oxygen Enriched: An atmosphere that contains more than 23.5% oxygen.
4.15 Parts Per Million (PPM): A unit of measurement used for small portions or concentrations. In gas
analysis, it expresses the volume of gas present in terms of its relationship to a whole of 1 million parts
of air. 1% = 10,000 ppm. 1% of volume = 10,000 ppm, 100% of volume=1,000,000 ppm.
4.16 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.
4.17 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 Proponent management shall:

5.1.1 Ensure employees involved in gas testing and using portable gas monitoring equipment are in
compliance with the procedures and requirements in this instruction.
5.1.2 Verify appropriate gas tests are conducted in accordance with GI 2.100 prior to issuing a work permit
(and during the course of work activities when necessary), and for all jobs where toxic gas,
combustible gas or oxygen deficiency/enrichment may exist.
5.1.3 Ensure that gas tester candidates have sufficient knowledge and experience, are capable of
recognizing hazards, and are competent in the requirements of GI 2.100 and this instruction, prior to
their enrollment in the applicable certification training.
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 Ensure that sufficient number and type of gas testing devices are provided to gas testing personnel.
5.1.7 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.
5.1.8 Ensure users of ISC gas monitor models MX4 and MX6 conduct daily inspection & function test and
pre-use instrument checks in accordance with Section 6.23.
* CHANGE ** ADDITION NEW INSTRUCTION COMPLETE REVISION X
Saudi Aramco: Company General Use
SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY (Saudi Aramco) G. I. No. Approved

GENERAL INSTRUCTION MANUAL 2.709

ISSUE DATE REPLACES
ISSUING ORG. LOSS PREVENTION DEPARTMENT 07/01/2016 01/09/2013
APPROVAL PAGE NO.
SUBJECT GAS TESTING USING PORTABLE GAS MONITORS AAG 4 OF 12

5.1.9 Verify that each instrument is properly calibrated every three months, at a minimum.
5.1.10 Ensure that each instrument calibration is tracked through ATTS. Guidance information on how to
add portable gas monitors to ATTS can be found on the LPD intranet site
(http://lp.aramco.com.sa/site/education/publications/special).
5.1.11 Immediately notify the vendor and arrange for any defective or damaged MX4 and MX6 instruments
and any key accessories (such as the Docking Station, charging units, etc.) to be sent to the vendor’s
service center for necessary repairs.

5.2 Training & Development shall:

5.2.1 Conduct gas tester classes and administer certification and re-certification tests so that the proponent
division head can certify and maintain successful candidates as department/division gas testers.
5.2.2 Maintain a record of current certified gas testers.
5.2.3 Administer re-certification test to candidates that have successfully completed the gas tester e-
Learning course.
5.2.4 Administer e-certificates to proponent organizations for successful candidates.

5.3 Certified gas testers shall:

5.3.1 Ensure they maintain and carry a valid gas testing certificate signed by their respective division head.
5.3.2 Utilize only an instrument which bears a valid calibration-due-date sticker or indicates a valid
calibration date in the system’s memory, has the correct sensors for the gases to be detected, and
which passes daily inspection & function test and the pre-use checks per Section 6.23.
5.3.3 Use only portable gas monitors for which they have been trained and certified.
5.3.4 Conduct daily inspection & function test and pre-use checks for the MX4 and MX6 portable gas
monitors in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Results of the daily inspection &
function test shall be recorded on a daily log sheet.
5.3.5 Conduct required gas tests for combustible atmospheres, toxic atmospheres (e.g., H2S, CO), 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 3 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 and use the ISC MX4 and/or
MX6 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).
6.3 Gas testers shall carry a valid certificate issued by T&D and signed by the gas testers’ respective division
head.

* CHANGE ** ADDITION NEW INSTRUCTION COMPLETE REVISION X

Saudi Aramco: Company General Use