Fighting arson.

Handheld, portable photoionisation detectors help emergency services, fire and rescue to detect volatile organic compounds from ignitable liquids

In the on-going fight against arson-related incidents, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (GB) is using TigerLT photoionisation detectors (PIDs) from Ion Science to detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from ignitable liquids that have been used in the development of a fire.

Supplied by Ion Science’s local distributor, Shawcity, the handheld, portable TigerLT PID instruments have helped reduce costs and increase quality by preventing non-contaminated samples being sent for lab analysis.

A long-standing user of Ion Science PID instruments for more than 10 years, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service originally used the company’s PID FirstCheck 1000+. When these became obsolete, they purchased two Tiger PIDs and have recently added two TigerLT units to their growing portfolio of Ion Science VOC monitors.

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service’s team of four fire investigators are each issued with a personal Ion Science Tiger or TigerLT for fire investigation purposes.

Over a five-year period, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service attended more than 1,500 incidents where fires were deliberately set using ignitable liquids. This is an average of six incidents every week.

Ian Mullen, Station Manager at Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, Incident Investigation, comments: “Ion Science Tiger PIDs are a robust and reliable product for detecting VOCs during fire investigations.

“The instruments are a tool to assist in the detection of the presence of ignitable liquids. This also allows the Police CSI to take a sample from a ‘confirmed’ area of post-fire ignitable liquids which can be sent for lab analysis.

“This prevents non-contaminated samples being processed which reduces costs and increases the quality of positive hits for ignitable liquids.

“The Tiger PIDs perform well. Our fire investigators take an instrument to each and every one of the 300 plus incidents they attend each year,” he adds. “The unit will be deployed if ignitable liquids are suspected to have been a factor in the incident.”

The TigerLT offers worldwide Intrinsic Safety (IS) certification for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. It is a streamlined, low cost version of the well proven Tiger PID model.

Like all Ion Science PID instruments, the TigerLT incorporates the company’s advanced patented fence electrode technology. This unique triple- electrode technology ensures increased resistance to humidity and contamination for ultimate reliability and accuracy in the field.

With a detection range of 0 - 5,000 ppm, with a 0.1 ppm minimum sensitivity, Ion Science’s TigerLT also offers an unrivalled industry response time of just two seconds and equally quick clear down.

Both simple to operate and service, the TigerLT offers easy access to the lamp and sensor. The intrinsically safe instrument also meets ATEX, IECEx, UL and CSA standards.

It features long life rechargeable Li-ion batteries that can be safely replaced in hazardous environments and give up to 24 hours usage. Fast battery charging allows the instrument to be fully charged in 6.5 hours, while eight hours of use can be achieved from 1.5 hours of charging time.

TigerLT features a protective, removable boot for harsh environments, while a large, clear back-lit display allows for easy viewing in any light condition. It is IP65 rated against water ingress. An integrated torch helps direct the instrument’s probe into dimly lit areas. Other features include a loud 95 dB audible alarm, multiple language support and is IP65 rated against water ingress.

Ian comments: “The service from Ion Science and its distributor Shawcity has always been very good. We can’t fault the Tiger PIDs which offer a number of practical features for fire investigation, a short power up time, rubber boot, bright colour for ease of visibility and robust design.”

@ionscience @shawcitylimited @elhcomms #PAuto #Safety #Britain

Odour control in Guernsey.

Handheld PID instrument used on outlets of odour control system to assess utilisation of carbon media filter.

Guernsey’s States Works is using an Ion Science  handheld photoionisation detector (PID) to measure volatile organic compounds (VOCs) being emitted from an odour control system installed at Guernsey’s waste transfer station. Supplied by distributor Shawcity and chosen for its portability, high detection rates and range of response factors, the instrument is helping to prevent the escape of malodours into the surrounding environment.

States Works is using the Ion Science Tiger^LT PID instrument at three outlet ports on each of the transfer station’s odour control carbon filter vessels where it is monitoring VOCs being emitted at quarter, half and three quarters depths of the carbon filter media. It enables States Works to estimate usage of the media so they can be replaced to ensure malodours are not being released into the air.

Yannic Bearder, Senior Environmental Monitoring Technician at States Works, comments: “Part of our role is to ensure that the new waste transfer station and old landfill sites are not affecting the environment or impacting the local community.

“The company that installed the odour control system at the waste transfer station recommended we use Ion Science’s Tiger PID to measure VOCs from the three outlet ports to help assess utilisation of the carbon filter media.”

This instrument is being used by States Works for weekly monitoring of VOCs with the data downloaded manually via USB and logged onto a spreadsheet.

Tiger^LT, which offers worldwide Intrinsic Safety (IS) certification for use in potentially explosive atmospheres, is a streamlined, low cost version of Ion Science’s well proven Tiger PID model.

Like all Ion Science PID instruments, the Tiger^LT incorporates the company’s PID technology with advanced patented fence electrode system. This three-electrode format ensures increased resistance to humidity and contamination for ultimate reliability and accuracy in the field.

With a detection range of 0.1 - 5,000 ppm utilising a standard two-point calibration protocol, Ion Science’s robust TigerLT also offers an unrivalled industry response time of just two seconds and equally quick clear down.

Both simple to operate and service, the Tiger^LT offers easy access to the lamp and sensor with batteries that can be safely replaced in hazardous environments. The intrinsically safe instrument also meets ATEX, IECEx, UL and CSA standards.

Yannic continues: “Ion Science’s distributor Shawcity recommended the Ion Science Tiger^LT VOC monitor as it met our requirement for portability, high detection rates and range of response factors. Although the instrument is only being used outdoors for short periods of time, it also has a reassuringly rugged design.”

The Tiger^LT six pin MiniPID detector cell with anti-contamination design dramatically extends run time in the field. Low cost filters and lamps can be easily changed in minutes, minimising downtime.

It features long life rechargeable Li-ion batteries which give up to 24 hours usage. Fast battery charging allows the instrument to be fully charged in 6.5 hours, while eight hours of use can be achieved from 1.5 hours of charging time.

It features a protective, removable boot for harsh environments while a large, clear back-lit display allows for easy viewing in any light condition. It is IP 65 rated against water ingress. An integrated torch is designed for directing the instrument’s probe into dimly lit areas. Other features include a loud 95 dB audible alarm and multiple language support. Ready to use, straight out of the box, the instrument does not require complicated set up procedures via a PC to perform basic functions.

@ionscience @StatesWorks #Enviornment #Guernesy

Facilitating easy bump tests!

An optional Premium Plus Case has been launched for Ion Science's range of high performance Tiger handheld photoionisation detectors (PIDs).

Capable of holding various PID accessories, the rugged, environmentally sealed Premium Plus Case has been specially developed by Ion Science to accommodate a 34L gas cylinder, allowing quick and easy on-site bump testing of its well proven Tiger volatile organic compound (VOC) monitors.

A bump test is a functional test of a gas monitor. Although not a regulatory requirement, it is the only way to ensure optimum performance of both sensors and monitor before use. It checks that the instrument respond to the challenge gas, verifies the display reacts and confirms that alarms are activated properly. The recommended bump test frequency is normally set by the instrument manufacturer.

A bump test works by briefly exposing the instrument to a known concentration of the challenge gas that exceeds alarm settings to confirm the sensor’s ability to respond.

The reading is compared to the actual quantity of gas present, as stated on the test gas cylinder. The instrument is working to the required standard if it goes into alarm and reads within an acceptable range of the actual concentration.

If the bump tests are not within the acceptable range, the PID must be fully calibrated before use.

Offering a robust and reliable design, the popular Ion Science Tiger handheld PID provides the widest measurement range on the market of 1ppb up to 20,000ppm. It is easy to set up and provides advanced VOC detection and software features. It has a fast response time of just two seconds and can be connected directly to a PC via the USB offering rapid data download capabilities.

The TigerLT is a streamlined, low cost version of the Tiger instrument. The entry-level PID also offers worldwide intrinsically safe certification for use in potentially explosive atmospheres and is ideal for environmental surveys.

Another handheld gas detector, the Tiger Select boasts two mode operation for the rapid and accurate detection of benzene and total aromatic compounds (TACs). Utilising the Ion Science 10.0eV lamp, a reading for TACs is seen immediately on start-up. Should TACs be detected, a pre-filter tube can be easily attached to ensure rapid detection and selective measurement of benzene.

#PAuto @ionscience  @elhcomms