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Calcimator

Air Monitoring Action Levels Calculator

Interpret PID/FID readings against site-specific action levels and determine PPE protection level.

Inputs

Results

Corrected Reading (ppm)

8

Net Above Background (ppm)

7.5

PPE Level (1=D to 5=A)3
Action Level 1 Exceeded1
Action Level 2 Exceeded0
% of Action Level 1150
% of Action Level 21.5
Monitoring Interval (min)5
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Take an upwind PID/FID reading to establish the Background Reading (ppm) before entering the work zone.
  2. Enter the instrument's PID/FID Reading (ppm) from the work area and the chemical-specific Correction Factor (isobutylene = 1.0).
  3. Set Action Level 1 (ppm) for PPE upgrade and Action Level 2 (ppm) for SCBA/evacuation per your site safety plan.
  4. Review the Corrected Reading and Net Above Background results to see the true vapor concentration above ambient.
  5. Use the PPE Level (1=D to 5=A) output to select the required respiratory and chemical protective equipment.
  6. Follow the Monitoring Interval (min) recommendation and repeat readings to track concentration trends over time.

How the result changes with PID/FID Reading (ppm)

PID/FID Reading (ppm)Corrected Reading (ppm)Net Above Background (ppm)
2,0002,0001,999.5
7,0007,0006,999.5
13,00013,00012,999.5
18,00018,00017,999.5

What each input means

PID/FID Reading (ppm)
Instrument reading in parts per million.
Background Reading (ppm)
Ambient background PID reading upwind.
Correction Factor
Chemical-specific correction factor (isobutylene = 1.0).
Action Level 1 (ppm)
PPM above background triggering PPE upgrade.
Action Level 2 (ppm)
PPM above background triggering evacuation/SCBA.

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    PID/FID Reading (ppm) = 8, Background Reading (ppm) = 0.5, Correction Factor = 1, Action Level 1 (ppm) = 5 = 5 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Corrected Reading
    Corrected Reading
    8 = 8
  3. Calculate Net Above Background
    Net Above Background
    7.5 = 7.5
  4. Calculate PPE Level
    3 = 3
  5. Calculate Action Level 1 Exceeded
    Action Level 1 Exceeded
    1 = 1

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