Maintaining your Detector (1)

In these final two sections, we will cover some of the basic maintenance requirements for the GasAlertMicro 5. Keep in mind that you will need to perform these tasks at predetermined intervals in order to keep the detector working safely. Failure to do so can result in incorrect readings and a shortened lifespan of the entire device. You can observe a comprehensive list of all required maintenance duties beginning on page 73 of the owner's manual. For the sake of brevity here, we will only look at some of the most important functions that you will need to remember to perform from time to time.

Basic Tasks

As we have seen numerous times throughout this summary, you should always perform calibrations, bump tests and detector inspection at regular intervals. Bump tests should be performed each day before commencing operations and calibration dates need to be observed and adhered to.

Before powering up your detector, visually inspect for any signs of damage. These can include cracks, common wear and tear or scratches. Make certain that the flow inlet is clear and free from any obstructions. When removing any part of the device, look for any dirt and debris that may have built up. This is particularly relevant between the two halves, for excess air that enters in from anywhere besides the pump can provide false readings.

Never immerse or partially immerse the unit in liquids. When you are cleaning the unit, use a clean and damp cloth that contains no toxic or poisonous solvents (refer to the table in the beginning of the owner's manual for a complete list of these.

Battery Warnings

You should always adhere to this section to avoid any personal injury or potential damage to the detector. As soon as the detector displays a low battery alarm (refer to the alarms section), you should deactivate it and replace the batteries. However, only use batteries that are approved for use by BW Technologies by Honeywell. Others can be dangerous. Make sure all batteries are properly installed before activating the device.

You must ONLY charge your detector with a charger that is supplied by BW Technologies by Honeywell (M5-C01). If you use another type of charger, you risk a potential fire and even an explosion. Recall that you need to turn the unit off before beginning the charging process. It is also worth noting that the lithium battery pack and the alkaline battery pack can be changed in locations that contain hazardous gases. However, the alkaline cells WITHIN the pack can ONLY be changed in an environment that is free from any known dangerous gases. These cells are rated to be used in temperatures not exceeding 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit). Never disassemble, reuse or incinerate the batteries, as you will once again risk the chance of an explosion and personal injury. Never calibrate the detector during charging. Even after, wait a bit of time before performing this task, for incorrect readings may otherwise result.

We will continue with some final maintenance issues in the next section.