This procedure is established to define

the minimum requirements in gas testing,

the persons authorized to make such tests
and to outline the selection, maintenance
and use of different types of gas testing
equipment.
This procedure applies to all gas
testing activities related to work
permit issuance for confined space
entry, hot work and other
maintenance works within Ibn Zahr.
Supervisor
 Identify the requirement of gas testing and ensure it is
conducted prior to issuing work permit.
 Establish the requirement for periodic gas tests and
mention it in the permit.
 Ensure availability of calibrated and right type of gas meter
to his staff.
 Tag all gas meters that are not operating properly or failing
to recharge or calibrate. Send all these equipment to
Analyzer Section for repair or removing from service.
Ibn Zahr Safety Instructor/Trainer
• Conduct Gas Test Certification Course.
• Evaluate Gas Testers using written and
practical test.
• Issue Gas Testing Authorization Cards
who passes the examination.
• Ensure all the new gas testing equipment
purchased are registered and identified. Their
history shall be documented.
• Make sure that only trained personnel carry out
repairs and maintenance of gas meters.
• Calibrate all gas meters/instruments along with the
preventive maintenance once in three months to
ensure correct performance of the unit.
• Document calibration records of all gas
instruments/meters.
• Gas-testing shall be carried out when it is
necessary to establish the presence or
otherwise of explosive or inflammable
gases or vapors, toxic gases and sufficient
breathable oxygen to prevent employees
being exposed to hazardous and harmful
gas concentrations during the maintenance
work.
Gas testing is required for all hot
works, confined space entries and
may also be required for certain
cold work of the Issuer deems it
necessary for maintenance work
or any job by production.
• Gas testing for jobs executed by
Ibn Zahr Maintenance Team inside
Royal Commission Pipeline
Corridor shall be conducted by any
certified person from Ibn Zahr.
• Combustible type gas detectors shall
only be used in atmospheres containing
oxygen between 10 – 20.8%, as such
instruments will not accurately measure
the flammable limit concentration in
both oxygen deficient or oxygen
enriched atmospheres.
• Non-combustible type gas detectors
that indicate % age of flammable gas or
meters designated to measure the
presence of flammable material in
confined spaces purged with nitrogen
or any other inert gases.
• Chemical reaction tubes and other such
instruments shall be used to measure
the concentration of toxic or corrosive
substances.
• All gas testing equipment shall be
maintained in good condition as
instruments can provide ignition
sources for flammable mixtures.
• If for example, the flame arrestor of a
combustible gas detector is removed or
damaged, the instrument could ignite a
flammable gas cloud.
• If a Work permit is required to be
issued, the issuer decides the need for
gas testing based on the type of work
and hazards in the area.
• He shall address on the permit the
required gas tests to be done, i.e.,
flammable, toxic or oxygen
• When entry into a confined space, gas
testing for flammable vapors and oxygen
deficiency shall be performed.
• Tests for toxic or corrosive substances shall
also be performed when their presence is
possible.
• The test shall be conducted with purge and
ventilation equipment stopped.
• When the equipment has been selected
and the job defined, the Production
Supervisor shall ensure that gas testing
is performed in accordance with the
following guidelines:
• Gas Testing shall be conducted to assist
production personnel with various steps
of equipment preparation.
• Such tests assist in purging and
washing. These tests are considered
preliminary and shall be revalidated
prior to issue of work permit and
releasing the equipment to the work
crew.
• When entry into a confined space for
carrying out gas test, the gas tester shall
use supplied air respiratory protection
and any other protective equipment that
may be needed such as impervious
boots, chemical resistant suit, gloves,
etc.
• Ventilation / purging shall be
stopped 15 minutes prior to
conducting the gas tests, to allow
gas concentrations to equalize.
• In confined spaces of tanks, drums,
towers or excavation where the gas
could be trapped in dead end
nozzles, plugged down-comers,
structural members, gas tests shall
be done throughout the large
spaces.
In tall vessels,
where gases
heavier than air
tends to settle at
bottom and lighter
ones rising to the
top levels, gas tests
shall be performed
at multiple levels.
• Gas tests shall be done for the
following in the order:
1) Oxygen,
2) Flammable gases and
3) Potential toxic air contaminants.
• The primary concern in open areas is
flammable/combustible gas.
• However tests for toxic substances should
also be conducted if their presence is
suspected.
• Checks should be made around and at all
openings of the equipment where the work
is to be done.
• Test should be conducted at sewer
openings, open vents, bleeders and at
any other possible locations in the area
where leaks maybe suspected.
• Although it is possible to work in
concentrations as low as 19.5% oxygen, it is
undesirable to work, if the percentage is less
than 20.8%.
• Action shall be taken immediately to
ascertain the nature of the other gas present
or, if it is an inert gas, then the oxygen
content shall be raised by purging with air.
• Oxygen testing shall be
carried out prior to
entering a confined space
or vessel.
• If the oxygen content is
less than 20.8% and
cannot be raised by
purging with air breathing
apparatus shall be used.
• If a hot work is to be performed in an area where
flammable mixtures may be present, gas testing for
flammables vapours shall be performed.
• The test shall be carried out no more than 2 hours
prior to the issue of the permit.
• In the event that the job is stopped for more than 2
hours, a fresh gas test shall be carried out before
recommencing work.
• A fresh gas test shall also be carried out in confined
space prior to entry.
• In locations or conditions where
there is a greater likelihood of gas
release, Production Supervisor shall
specify the requirement for
repeating as tests at defined
intervals or continuous monitoring
in the Work Permit.
• The concentrations of
flammable/combustible
vapors in the sampled area
are measured as the
percentage of the lower
flammable limit in air.
• If the explosivity meter indicates any
positive reading (more than 0%) hot work
shall not be carried out.
• If subsequent efforts for purging fails to
remove all traces of flammable gas, the
concerned Production Supervisor may
authorize the hot work to proceed after
consultation with Safety & Environment
Section Head, and only if the following
conditions are met:
1)the source of the flammable
material is identified and
2)a determination is made that the
concentration cannot exceed 10%
of the Lower Explosive Limit
(LEL).
• The standard explosivity meter gives a %
reading of the lower flammable limit of the
gas in air.
• In locations where nitrogen or inert gas
purse has been used, it is necessary to
confirm that the flammable gas has been
removed.
• For these cases Tankscope Instrument may
be used, which will indicate the % age of
flammable gas, if any, is left in the inert
gas.
• No person shall be allowed to
enter a confined space which
shows a positive reading on
the explosivity meter.
• Toxic concentrations, or concentration
above which it is not safe to work for
extended periods Threshold Limit Value
(TLV) are usually so small as to be defined
as parts per million (ppm) or mg/m3.
• These cannot readily be measured on dial
instruments and a chemical reaction tube
(generally called a Draeger) is used.
• The glass tube is sealed until required for uses and
then a predetermined quantity of the gas/air
mixture is drawn through the tube by means of a
bellows or pump as given by manufacturer.
• A graduated scale on the tube measures the
discoloration of the tube contents in ppm.
• Care must be taken to ensure the correct tube is
used for the subject gas.
• If there is a mixture of gases, it is necessary to use
more than one type of tube.
• No person shall be allowed to work in
an atmosphere containing toxic gas or
vapor in a concentration above the TLV
without using appropriate respiratory
protection.
• Specific written instructions
supplied with each container of
tubes shall be followed.
• These specific instructions shall
contain limitations of the tube
performance, possible interference
by chemicals, and an expiration
date for that batch of tubes.
Gas
Gas Testing
Testing Equipment
Equipment Reliability
Reliability
• All users of portable gas test
equipment must be trained in
proper use, care, inspection and
calibration requirements, and
limitations of the equipment.
• Purchase of Gas Meter
shall be approved by
Safety & Environment
Section.
Weekly checks of gas meter shall include
the following:
• Inspect squeeze bulb and hoses for
deterioration
• Calibrate and test battery
• Verify response in known
atmosphere (ex. Oxygen deficient
for 02 meter and flammable
atmosphere for explosivity meter.
• Gas meter performance check
and calibration shall take place
before the expiry of its
calibration validity.
• A tag shall be placed on the
equipment to indicate the
revalidation due date.
• Gas meter instruction
manual and response
curve booklets should be
kept by the user/Analyzer
Section.
• Oxygen and explosivity meters shall be
tested for its operability prior to each
use.
• User department shall carry out battery
and zero adjustment checks each time
the instrument is used.
Before going to the worksite the gas tester
shall:

• confirm that he understands the specific

equipment involved and the gas tests to be
performed.
• verify that the instrument is functioning
properly.
• select the correct chemical reaction
tube/instrument while test for toxic
substances are specified.
• The other safety requirements of gas
testing may be strictly adhered to as
indicated under Work Permit Procedure
SF 7.1.

• For a gas test to be valid, it should be

performed as close as possible to the
time that work in the tested area begins.
Gas tests shall be repeated:
• If two hours or more passes between
the test and the start of the work.
• For gas testing of confined spaces, the
maximum time is 30 minutes.
• When the work is interrupted and then
resumed at a later time.
• In some instances the issuer may
specify that gas testing should be
continued throughout the course of the
work or at specified intervals, i.e., hot
work, in an area where conditions
could change or tank cleaning when the
work may cause a change in condition
through sludge agitation or other by
products appearing.
• If an operational upset occurs
or conditions change during the
course of the work which could
affect the concentration of
hazardous or toxic gas at the
work site.
• Gas testing shall be necessarily be
carried out by personnel who are
trained in proper calibration and
use of gas meters and chemical
reaction tubes and certified by Ibn
Zahr Safety Instructor.
• Area Operators, QA Laboratory technicians,
Shift Supervisors, ERT Members,
Maintenance Technicians, Analyzer
Technicians and Safety & Environment
Technicians be allowed to take up gas
testing course to perform the task of gas
testing and they shall be authorized by the
Concerned Department Manager/Section
Head, after passing the qualifying test.
• Gas testing, particularly with
reference to the issue of permits to
work, is generally carried out by
the Operators.
• However, other categories of
employees may also be requested
to conduct the gas test in other
areas outside their responsibility.