PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-723
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 723
FEBRUARY 2013
20
PS 723
FEB 13
21
PS 723
FEB 13
Fails zero check
•±
Are the green and silver inlet ports loose? If they are, hand-tighten the
ports and then use pliers to turn each inlet an additional 1/8 turn.
•±
Is the HEPA filter leaking? Use a different HEPA filter. If that doesn’t
work, connect two filters together with a small piece of tubing and try
the zero check again.
•±
Is the ambient particle concentration too high? If a particle generator is
being used, move it at least 6 feet from the PortaCount® fit tester.
Editor’s note:
You do have PATS troubleshooting down pat, Jerry. Read
and save this, CBRN specialists. It will help make PATS testing a snap.
PATS won’t measure any particles
•±
Is the alcohol cartridge installed?
•±
Are you using reagent grade alcohol (99.5 percent or greater) in the
alcohol fill capsule?
•±
Is the alcohol wick properly installed in the alcohol cartridge?
•±
Is the nozzle blocked? See WP 14 in TM 3-4240-349-12&P (Nov 99)
on how to clear it.
Alcohol cartridge fits too tight or is difficult to turn
See the alcohol cartridge technical note in WP 0015 00-1 of TM
3-4240-349-12&P.
Low alcohol warning comes on
Re-soak the alcohol wick in the alcohol fill capsule. But check that the
alcohol level is to the fill line in the alcohol fill capsule before re-soaking.
Too much humidity
•±
Replace the alcohol wick with one of the spare wicks.
•±
Dry out the wick by putting it in a well-ventilated area with less than 50
percent humidity for at least 16 hours. This will dry out any water in the
wick. Never throw out a wick. It can be reused.
•±
Turn off or lower the output setting of any water-based particle
generator, such as an ultrasonic humidifier.
Fails minimum particle check
The ambient particle concentration may be too low. Use a particle
generator to raise the ambient particle concentration. The ideal
concentration is 1,000-8,000 pt/cc.
The fit test stops or the overall fit factor
is below the pass level
•±
Is PATS passing the daily checks? If it is, check the mask or mask
adapter for particle leaks. Check the mask adapter for dirt, corrosion,
nicks or cracks. Clean away dirt or corrosion. Nicks and cracks mean
the adapter may need to be replaced. To check the mask, do a quick
PMCS like it says in the -10 TM.
•±
Is the ambient particle concentration too low? Use a particle generator
to generate a concentration of 1,000-8,000 pt/cc.
Room for Help
Ideally, the room for testing should be approximately 20 x 20 feet.
Position the fit test station near the room’s return air grid. Close or cover
the supply air diffuser and return air grid. Keep the room’s doors closed.
And, of course, keep a copy of TM 3-4240-349-12&P handy.
Jerry Young
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
shHhH!
I’m counting
particles!
it ain’t
the heat…
it’s the
humidity!
but I
pUlled an
All-Nighter!
723 20-21.indd
1-2
12/31/12
2:19 PM
Back to TopBack to Top
