Author: Peggy Coulter Document Number: Equ10-05

Effective (or Post) Date: 15 Jan 09

Review History Date of last review: 10-Feb-20
Reviewed by: Heidi Hanes
SMILE Comments: This document is provided as an example only. It must be revised to accurately reflect your
lab’s specific processes and/or specific protocol requirements. Users are encouraged to ensure compliance with local
laws and study protocol policies when considering the application of this document. If you have any questions
contact SMILE.

Procedure Locations

Authorized to Approve:

Authorized to Review:
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Proc. # . .2

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Performance of this procedure will expose testing personnel to biohazardous material and possible
chemical hazards.

All specimens must be handled as potentially infectious material as outlined in the hospital Safety
Manual.

The reagent(s) and/or chemical(s), which are used in this assay, may be hazardous to your health if
handled incorrectly. A brief listing of precautions for each chemical hazard is included in the reagent
section of this procedure.

More extensive information concerning the safe handling of the reagents and/or chemicals used in this
assay, as well as other important safety information, may be obtained by consulting the Material Safety
Data Sheet (MSDS) and HAZ-COM Manual, and hospital safety manual. Before performing any part
of this assay, the technologist must take any and all precautions and adhere to all prescribed policies.

This procedure may expose you to:

[ ] Bloodborne pathogens
[ ] Airborne pathogens
[X] Hazardous reagents

To perform this procedure, you must use:

[X] Gloves
[ ] Face shield, or safety glasses with mask
[X] Laboratory coat
[ ] Gown
[ ] Biological safety cabinet
[ ] Fume hood
[ ] Ventilator
[ ] Disinfectant following procedure:
[ ] Diluted bleach (1:10 v/v solution made fresh daily)
[ ] Amphyl
[ ] Caltech Dispatch with Bleach
[ ] Miscellaneous, after Hospital Infection Control Department approval

Reference for spill/decontamination:

[X] MSDS
[ ] Chemical hygiene plan
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Proc. # . .3

PRINCIPLE:
The FYRITE employs the “Orsat” method of volumetric analysis involving chemical
absorption of a sample gas, such as carbon dioxide. The reagent used to absorb carbon dioxide is
potassium hydroxide (dyed red).

SPECIMEN:
Type:
Gas from the CO2 incubator to be tested.

EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS:

Equipment:
FYRITE Gas Analyzer

Materials:
CO2 FYRITE Indicator fluid

PRECAUTIONS:
FYRITE fluid in the CO2 analyzer is corrosive and contains poisonous elements which
must not be taken internally. In the event of a spill or accidental body refer to MSDS
information.

Preparation:
Refer to FYRITE package instructions for FYRITE Gas Analyzer preparation.

Performance Parameters:
Fresh FYRITE fluid will absorb all CO2 from more than 350 samples containing
10% CO2 before replacing.

Storage Requirements:
1. Store FYRITE and Sampling Assembly in cool, dry place.
2. The FYRITE temperature should be at or close to the temperature of the working
environment where the analysis is being made and should not be subject to sudden
temperature changes.
3. FYRITE refill bottles should be stored at room temperature in the carton provided
and placed in use within one year.

QUALITY CONTROL:
1. Check FYRITE Fluid strength by repeating procedure steps 7 through 9 during Basic
Operation.
2. Readings increasing by more than ½ percent for CO2 in second reading as compared to the
first indicates a need for fluid replacement.
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Proc. # . .4

PROCEDURE- STEPWISE:
Pre-operational Check:
1. FYRITE Fluid Level- with FYRITE in vertical position, top of the fluid column should
not be less than 1/8 inch or more than 5/8 inch above the bottom of the small center
FYRITE bore, in order to permit scale zero adjustment.
2. With FYRITE vented and in vertical position, it should be possible to adjust scale zero to
top of fluid column. If this is not possible, add or remove small amount of fluid.
3. Check sampling assembly for leaks before proceeding with test.
4. Make certain wool in Filter Saturator Tube is moistened with water.

Basic Operation:
1. Hold FYRITE upright and away from face. Depress Plunger Valve to vent FYRITE, and
release.
2. Invert FYRITE. Hold at slight angle to drain fluid into top reservoir.
3. Turn upright. Hold FYRITE at 45º angle momentarily to allow fluid droplet drainage into
bottom reservoir.
4. Hold FYRITE in upright position and away from face. Depress Plunger Valve, and
release.
5. Holding FYRITE upright loosen locknut at rear of scale. Slide scale until top of fluid
column lines up with zero on scale. Tighten scale locknut.
6. To pump gas sample into FYRITE, insert open end of metal sampling tube into area
bearing gas for analysis. Hold FYRITE in upright position and place sampling assembly
rubber connector tip over the Plunger Valve. Depress Plunger Valve firmly with
connector tip. Pump sample by squeezing and releasing bulb 18 times. During the 18th
bulb squeeze (with bulb held deflated) release connector tip and Plunger Valve.
7. Absorb sample gas into FYRITE by inverting until fluid drains into top reservoir, then
turn upright to drain fluid into bottom reservoir. Repeat this step once.
8. Hold FYRITE at 45º angle momentarily to allow fluid droplets to drain into bottom
reservoir.
9. With FYRITE held upright, permit fluid in column to stabilize a few seconds, then
immediately read % CO2 on scale at point corresponding to top of fluid column.

REPORTING RESULTS:
1. Hold FYRITE vertically and level with eyes and sight across scale to top of fluid column.
2. To read, locate top of fluid column. The surface at the top of the fluid column in the
center bore will be dish-shaped.
3. Either the high or low point of this dish-shaped surface may be used to locate top of fluid
column providing the same point is always used for both setting the scale zero and
reading percent CO2.

Reporting Format:
Enter CO2 results on the Monthly CO2 chart located on the incubator.

PROCEDURE NOTES:
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Proc. # . .5
1. To prevent warming of FYRITE Fluid during analysis, hold FYRITE by the fins only.
2. A delay in reading of 5 or 10 seconds may decrease accuracy of reading slightly but
longer delays may cause substantial error.
3. The FYRITE is calibrated to analyze gas samples which are normally saturated with
moisture. Failure to moisten wool packing in Filter Saturator Tube with water will cause
FYRITE to read slightly lower than actual gas concentration.
4. CAUTION: Never depress plunger valve to vent FYRITE in the inverted position. This
will cause fluid spill which is corrosive and contains poisonous elements. In the event of
a spill, please refer to MSDS information.

LIMITATIONS OF THE PROCEDURE:

FYRITE accuracy is within + ½ % CO2 compared to actual value.

REFERENCES:
Bacharach FYRITE Gas Analyzers instrument manual, Bacharach Instruments, Pittsburgh, PA,
January 1980.