Calibration
and testing.
Gas sensors drift. Electrochemical CO and NO2 cells lose sensitivity as they age, and a sensor that reads low will leave your fans off when they should be running. A sensor that reads high does the opposite and runs your fans around the clock. Calibration is the only way to know which one you have.
What we do on a calibration visit
- Apply certified span gas to every sensor in the building, not a sample of them
- Zero and span each sensor, and replace cells that will not hold calibration
- Verify alarm and ventilation setpoints against the sequence the building was designed to
- Confirm the fans, VFDs and relays actually respond when the sensor calls for it
- Inspect the panel, wiring terminations and any horn/strobe devices
- Leave a dated service report listing every sensor, its as-found and as-left readings, and any fault
Why the report matters as much as the service
When a fire inspector, insurer or attorney asks about your gas detection system, they are asking for records. A service report that names each sensor and shows what it read is the document that closes the question. We write ours to be handed straight to an inspector.
What the code requires
California Fire Code §916.11: inspection and testing of gas detection systems not less than annually, with calibration confirmed at installation and performed at the frequency the sensor manufacturer specifies. Annual is the floor. If your sensors call for six months, six months is your requirement. Full detail on the fire code requirements page.
Systems we service
We work on the equipment already in your building rather than replacing it to suit us: Macurco, CETCI, Honeywell/Vulcain, INTEC and others, in enclosed parking garages, drive-in warehouses, loading docks, maintenance shops and truck bays. Gas monitoring is all we do, which is the difference between us and a mechanical contractor who tacks it onto an HVAC visit without the gas or the tools.
How service works
Tell us the building and roughly how many sensors it has and we will quote it. We cover the entire US and are usually on site within a week. Most customers move onto an annual or semi-annual agreement after the first visit so the compliance date never gets missed again. See what a real calibration includes if you want to compare us against a current vendor.
Common questions
How often do CO sensors need to be calibrated?
California Fire Code 916.11 requires gas detection systems to be inspected and tested not less than annually, and each sensor to be calibrated at the frequency specified by its manufacturer, typically every 6 to 12 months.
What does a calibration visit include?
Certified span gas applied to every sensor, zero and span adjustment, verification of alarm setpoints, a check that the ventilation equipment actually responds, and a dated service report listing each sensor and its readings.
Can our maintenance staff do it?
Not meaningfully. Calibration requires certified span gas with a current fill date, the right regulator and delivery equipment for each sensor type, and access to the panel programming. Pressing test on a panel is not a calibration.
What does it cost?
Calibration typically runs $150 to $200 per sensor depending on system type and sensor count. Most garages run 10 to 20 sensors.
Talk to a gas monitoring specialist
Tell us the building and how many sensors you have. We will tell you what service it needs and what it costs, no pressure.