5.1 The Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, in 29 CFR 1910, designates that certain gases and vapors must not be present in workplace atmospheres at concentrations above specific values.

5.2 This practice will provide a means for the determination of airborne concentrations of certain gases and vapors given in 29 CFR 1910.

5.3 A partial list of chemicals for which this practice is applicable is presented in Annex A1.

5.4 This practice also provides for the sampling of gaseous atmospheres to be used for process control or other purposes (2, 24-23).

5.5 Advantages of the Detector Tube Method: 

5.5.1 As the detector tube method requires no chemical analyzers, external reagents, etc., advance preparations are not needed; detector tubes are always ready for use.

5.5.2 The detector tube method is well-suited for use at the work site because it is small, lightweight, and needs only a small sample volume to determine the concentration of gas or vapor in a sample.

5.5.3 The operating procedures are simple.

5.5.4 The results of measurements are available in just minutes, so fast action can be taken when needed.

5.5.5 Where no electrical power source is required, detector tubes can be used even when flammable gases are present.

5.5.6 Different types of detector tubes are available for different gases and measuring ranges, from 0.01 ppm to more than 10 %, depending on analyte and tube design, making the system flexible tor different sampling situations.

1.1 This practice covers the detection and measurement of concentrations of toxic gases or vapors using detector tubes (1, 2).2 A list of some of the gases and vapors that can be detected by this practice and their measurement ranges are provided in Annex A1. This list is given as a guide and should be considered neither absolute nor complete.

1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.