SOLARIS 3-GAS METER

1. SOLARIS 3-GAS METER Complete operation of Solaris multi-gas meter can be found on the LAFD Ethernet

2. SOLARIS 3-GAS METER • Carried by all LAFD Truck companies • Used as needed on various incidents, i.e.: LNG, • Chemical Investigations, Fuel spills, Haz Mat, Confined Space, etc. • To be used to monitor atmospheres during overhauls. • Used in conjunction with the Air Purifying Respirators. (PAPR’s) • UNITS SHALL BE ADDED TO STATION INVENTORY AND CARRIED ON TRUCK COMPANIES.

3. SOLARIS 3-GAS METER The MSA “Solaris” is a gas detection meter capable of detecting three pre determined gases The three are as follows: Carbon Monoxide or CO Measures in parts per million Alarms @ 25 PPM CO as per Cal-OSHA requirements. Lower explosive limit or LEL Measures the % of LEL Calibrated to detect combustible gases and certain combustible vapors. Alarms @ 10% of the LEL and above (Calibration gas is Methane which has a LEL of 5.5%) Oxygen concentration Measures % of O2 in the atmosphere. Normal O2 is 20.8% Alarms if O2 falls below 19.5% or above 23.5% WARNING: Any measurable deviation % of O2 in the immediate atmosphere could indicate an extreme hazard. In O2 depleted atmospheres the oxygen could be reduced due to the presence of a hazardous gas.

4. UNDERSTANDING LEL AND UEL LEL UEL 50% 10% 15.0% 5.0% or 100% of LEL Any % below the red area is to lean to explode Any % above the red area is to rich to explode

5. User friendly Three-button Function Buttons SOLARIS 3-GAS METER • ON/OFF • Page Up • Used to scroll through various readouts such as: • Min % Exposure • Max % Exposure • STEL (short term exposure limit equal to 15 mins.) • TWA (Time Weighted Average, equal to 8 an hour exposure in a 40 hr work week). • Current time. • Current Date. • Reset: • Resets/silences alarms SENSORS ON/OFF PAGE SCROLL RESET DIGITAL DIPLAY

6. SOLARIS 3-GAS METER • TURN ON: • Press and hold on/off button for approximately three seconds • Unit will then go through a 90 second warm-up and self diagnostic test. • When ready, units LCD will display three categories of pre test gases. When in a clear atmosphere, only the Oxygen in the upper right of the display will register. (20.8%) • NOTE: Only turn on unit in clear atmosphere. When unit is on and in clear atmosphere, a green LED light will flash and the unit will vibrate every 15 seconds.

7. Using the Solaris-con’t • While instrument displays ZERO ?, if the ON/OFF button is not pressed to access the “Fresh Air” option within 10 seconds, the instrument will display “Please Wait” for 5 seconds, then the main page will be displayed. • NOTE: Total warm-up time after initial activation of the instrument is approximately 90 seconds.

8. Turn off: Press and hold On/Off button for approximately three seconds. The “Solaris” is provided as a tool to detect and monitor potentially dangerous atmospheres encountered by First Responders. It is also to be used to monitor atmospheres that LAFD members may be working in. Unit is to be used to monitor PPM levels of CO during overhauls and in conjunction with PAPR’s Whenever the Solaris warning alarms activates, members shall immediately exit to a safe environment and take appropriate measures to mitigate the hazard. This may include such actions as ordering additional resources such as a HMTF, ventilating the area/structure. While on scene of an applicable incident, the unit shall be carried by a responsible/trained member whose responsibility will be to alert all members present of a potentially dangerous environment. That member will be alerted by the three alarm method: audible, visible red flashing LED and vibration. SOLARIS 3-GAS METER

9. SOLARIS 3-GAS METER Continued: When a unit alarms, the responsible member should immediately take a visual reading of the LCD display to determine what type of hazard is present. Member shall then momentarily press the reset button to silence the unit. If the unit goes back into the alarm mode within 10-15 seconds after pushing the reset button, member shall immediately exit the area to a safe environment. At this time officers determine the necessary action to mitigate the hazard. If it determined that the unit is alarming because of elevated levels of CO,(25PPM or higher) Officers shall order all members working in the environment to don SCBA’s and to ventilate the area/structure until CO levels reach a safe level. NOTE: CO is considered flammable in high concentrations Always wear full PPE’s and SCBA when entering an unknown atmospheres.

10. MAINTENANCE • The Solaris gas meter uses a lithium rechargeable battery with continuous runtime of 14 hours. • Unit shall be placed in its recharging cradle and fully charged every Monday or as needed. • Recharge time on a fully discharged battery is up to 4 hours • The unit is built to withstand low level drops and moisture. Care should be given to protect the unit and to keep it clean and dry. • Clean the “Solaris” using a clean damp cloth. • Avoid any pressure or bangs to the display and face of the unit where sensors are exposed. • Avoid direct contact with hands or chemicals to sensors. Residue may build on sensors thus preventing accurate monitoring. • If unit displays any problems such as failing the self-diagnostic start-up, or shows obvious damage, contact your division based HMTF for direction. • Every three months units shall be collected by responsible Battalions and forwarded to each division based HMTF for calibration and maintenance. • When units are exposed to extreme atmospheres that cause the unit to activate its alarm function, contact the appropriate HMTF for direction.