IEC 62990-1:2019

Workplace Atmospheres — Part 1: Gas detectors — Performance requirements of detectors for toxic gases

Atmosphères des lieux de travail — Partie 1: Détecteurs de gaz — Exigences d’aptitude à la fonction des détecteurs de gaz toxiques

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 04-Dec-2019
• ICS: 13.040.30 - Workplace atmospheres
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 146/SC 2 - Workplace atmospheres
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 146/SC 2/WG 3 - Gases
• Current Stage: 6060 - International Standard published
• Completion Date: 05-Dec-2019

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 62990-1
Edition 1.0 2019-06
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Workplace atmospheres –
Part 1: Gas detectors – Performance requirements of detectors for toxic gases
Atmosphères des lieux de travail –
Partie 1: Détecteurs de gaz – Exigences d'aptitude à la fonction des détecteurs
de gaz toxiques
IEC 62990-1:2019-06(en-fr)

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IEC 62990-1


Edition 1.0 2019-06




INTERNATIONAL



STANDARD




NORME



INTERNATIONALE
colour

inside










Workplace atmospheres –

Part 1: Gas detectors – Performance requirements of detectors for toxic gases




Atmosphères des lieux de travail –

Partie 1: Détecteurs de gaz – Exigences d'aptitude à la fonction des détecteurs

de gaz toxiques















INTERNATIONAL

ELECTROTECHNICAL

COMMISSION


COMMISSION

ELECTROTECHNIQUE


INTERNATIONALE




ICS 29.260.20 ISBN 978-2-8322-7080-6




Warning! Make sure that you obtained this publication from an authorized distributor.

Attention! Veuillez vous assurer que vous avez obtenu cette publication via un distributeur agréé.

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– 2 – IEC 62990-1:2019 © IEC 2019

CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
INTRODUCTION . 6
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 8
3 Terms and definitions . 8
4 General requirements . 16
4.1 Overview. 16
4.2 Design . 17
4.2.1 General . 17
4.2.2 Indicating devices . 17
4.2.3 Alarm signal . 19
4.2.4 Fault signals . 19
4.2.5 Adjustments . 20
4.2.6 Battery-powered equipment . 20
4.2.7 Gas detection transmitter for use with separate gas detection control
units . 20
4.2.8 Separate gas detection control units for use with gas detection
transmitter(s) . 21
4.2.9 Software-controlled equipment . 21
4.3 Labelling and marking . 22
4.4 Instruction manual . 23
5 Test methods . 25
5.1 General . 25
5.2 General requirements for tests . 26
5.2.1 Samples and sequence of tests . 26
5.2.2 Preparation of equipment before each test. 27
5.2.3 Mask for calibration and test . 28
5.3 Normal conditions for test . 28
5.3.1 General . 28
5.3.2 Test gas(es) . 28
5.3.3 Flow rate for test gases . 28
5.3.4 Power supply . 29
5.3.5 Temperature . 29
5.3.6 Pressure . 29
5.3.7 Humidity . 29
5.3.8 Acclimation time . 29
5.3.9 Orientation . 29
5.3.10 Communications options . 29
5.3.11 Gas detection equipment as part of systems . 30
5.4 Tests . 30
5.4.1 General . 30
5.4.2 Unpowered storage . 30
5.4.3 Measurement of deviations . 31
5.4.4 Mechanical tests . 31
5.4.5 Environmental tests . 33
5.4.6 Performance tests . 36
5.4.7 Electrical tests . 41

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IEC 62990-1:2019 © IEC 2019 – 3 –
5.4.8 Stability . 44
5.4.9 Fault signal tests . 45
5.4.10 Software controlled equipment . 46
5.4.11 Protection against water . 46
6 Uncertainty of measurement and lower limit of measurement for type HM

equipment . 47
6.1 General . 47
6.2 Method of calculation of uncertainty of measurement . 47
6.2.1 Basic concept . 47
6.2.2 Sources of uncertainty . 48
6.2.3 Calculation of relative expanded uncertainty . 53
6.3 Method of calculation of lower limit of measurement . 54
6.4 Acceptance criteria . 55
6.4.1 Uncertainty of measurement . 55
6.4.2 Lower limit of measurement . 55
6.5 Relation between uncertainty and accuracy . 55
Annex A (normative) Gas specific performance requirements . 56
Annex B (informative) Determination of time of response and time of recovery . 57
B.1 Aspirated equipment . 57
B.1.1 Test rig . 57
B.1.2 Equipment without internal pump . 57
B.1.3 Equipment with internal pump . 57
B.2 Equipment that samples by diffusion . 58
B.2.1 Calibration mask method . 58
B.2.2 Diffusion or flow methods . 58
Bibliography . 60

Figure 1 – Relationship between indication range and measuring range . 14
Figure 2 – Warm-up time in clean air (typical) . 15
Figure 3 – Warm-up time in standard test gas (typical) . 15
Figure 4 – Example of zero uncertainty . 16
Figure B.1 – Schematic example of test rig for use with aspirated equipment . 58
Figure B.2 – Schematic example of test chamber for diffusion method . 59
Figure B.3 – Schematic example of test chamber for flow method . 59

Table 1 – Factors to be considered in the expanded uncertainty estimate . 48
Table A.1 – Gas specific performance requirements . 56

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– 4 – IEC 62990-1:2019 © IEC 2019
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________

WORKPLACE ATMOSPHERES –

Part 1: Gas detectors –
Performance requirements of detectors for toxic gases

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
Technical Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC
Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-
governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely
with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by
agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
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4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
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5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
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6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
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8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 62990-1 has been prepared by Joint Working Group (JWG) 45 of
IEC technical committee 31: Equipment for explosive atmospheres in cooperation with
ISO technical committee 146: Air quality, sub-committee 2: Workplace atmospheres.
It is published as a dual logo standard.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
31/1463/FDIS 31/1480/RVD

Full information on the voting for the approval of this International Standard can be found in
the report on voting indicated in the above table.

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IEC 62990-1:2019 © IEC 2019 – 5 –
This document has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
A list of all parts in the IEC 62990 series, published under the general title Workplace
atmospheres, can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data related to
the specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
The contents of the corrigendum of December 2019 have been included in this copy.

IMPORTANT – The 'colour inside' logo on the cover page of this publication indicates
that it contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct
understanding of its contents. Users should therefore print this document using a
colour printer.

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– 6 – IEC 62990-1:2019 © IEC 2019
INTRODUCTION
This part of IEC 62990 specifies general requirements for construction, testing and
performance of equipment intended to measure the concentration of toxic gas and vapour in
workplace atmospheres and other industrial and commercial applications. The performance
requirements are intended to apply under environmental conditions present at the site of
operation. However, because a wide range of environmental conditions are encountered in
practise, this document specifies requirements that have to be fulfilled by equipment when
tested under prescribed laboratory conditions.
This document applies to the following types of equipment: Health Monitoring (HM) and Safety
Monitoring (SM). For a given measurement task of Type HM equipment the range over which
the requirements must be met depends on the occupational exposure limit value. However, for
most toxic gases and vapours the occupational exposure limit values have not been
harmonized at the international level. Therefore, it was decided to use a reference value
instead of the occupational exposure limit value for the performance tests. The list of
reference values is given in Annex A. The reference values chosen are equal to or close to
the occupational exposure limit values used in different countries but are intended to be used
only for type testing equipment without any legal implications.
Electrical equipment used for the direct detection and direct concentration measurement of
toxic gases and vapours generate readings in clean air (nominally zero), which vary with
environmental conditions and time. This document therefore includes test methods and
requirements for acceptable variations in measured values at application of zero gas and of
defined test gases.
For gas detection equipment including additional function for detecting flammable gas and/or
oxygen, consideration should be given to the relevant standards.
General requirements for construction, testing and performance of gas detectors for
flammable gases and vapours are set out in IEC 60079-29-1, Explosive atmospheres –
Part 29-1: Gas detectors – Performance requirements of detectors for flammable gases.
General requirements for construction, testing and performance of open path detectors for
flammable gases are set out in IEC 60079-29-4, Explosive atmospheres – Part 29-4: Gas
detectors – Performance requirements of open path detectors for flammable gases.
Guidance for the selection, installation, use and maintenance of gas detecting equipment is
set out in IEC 60079-29-2: Explosive atmospheres – Part 29-2, Gas detectors – Selection,
installation, use and maintenance of detectors for flammable gases and oxygen.
Guidance for functional safety of fixed gas detection systems is set out in IEC 60079-29-3:
Explosive atmospheres – Part 29-3, Gas detectors – Guidance on functional safety of fixed
gas detection systems.

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IEC 62990-1:2019 © IEC 2019 – 7 –
WORKPLACE ATMOSPHERES –

Part 1: Gas detectors –
Performance requirements of detectors for toxic gases



1 Scope
This part of IEC 62990 specifies general requirements for design, function and performance,
and describes the test methods that apply to portable, transportable, and fixed equipment for
the detection and concentration measurement of toxic gases and vapours in workplace
atmospheres and other industrial and commercial applications.
This document is applicable to continuously sensing equipment whose primary purpose is to
provide an indication, alarm and/or other output function the purpose of which is to indicate
the presence of a toxic gas or vapour in the atmosphere and in some cases to initiate
automatic or manual protective action(s). It is applicable to equipment in which the sensor
generates an electrical signal when gas is present.
This document applies to two types of equipment:
• Type HM (Health Monitoring) ‘occupational exposure’ equipment:
For occupational exposure measurement, the performance requirements are focused on
uncertainty of measurement of gas concentrations in the region of Occupational Exposure
Limit Values (OELV). The upper limit of measurement will be defined by the manufacturer
in accordance with 4.2.1.
• Type SM (Safety Monitoring) ‘general gas detection’ equipment:
For general gas detection applications (e.g. safety warning, leak detection), the
performance requirements are focused on alarm signalling. The upper limit of
measurement will be defined by the manufacturer according to the intended use of the
equipment.
In general, the requirements for accuracy will be higher for Type HM equipment than for Type
SM equipment. The same equipment may meet the requirements of both Type HM and Type
SM.
For equipment used for sensing the presence of multiple gases this document applies only to
the detection of toxic gas or vapour.
This document is not applicable to equipment:
– with samplers and concentrators such as sorbents or paper tape having an irreversible
indication;
– used for the measurement of gases and vapours related to the risk of explosion;
– used for the measurement of oxygen;
– used only in laboratories for analysis or measurement;
– used only for process measurement purposes;
– used in the domestic environment;
– used in environmental air pollution monitoring;
– used for open-path (line of sight) area gas measurement;
– used for ventilation control in car parks or tunnels.

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– 8 – IEC 62990-1:2019 © IEC 2019
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their
content constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition
cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including
any amendments) applies.
IEC 60068-2-6, Environmental testing – Part 2-6: Tests – Test Fc: Vibration (sinusoidal)
IEC 60079-0, Explosive atmospheres – Part 0: Equipment – General requirements
IEC 60529, Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code)
IEC 61000-4-29, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 4-29: Testing and measurement
techniques – Voltage dips, short interruptions and voltage variations on d.c. input power port
immunity tests
IEC 61000-6-3, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 6-3: Generic standards –
Emission standard for residential, commercial and light-industrial environments
IEC 61000-6-4, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 6-4: Generic standards –
Emission standard for industrial environments
IEC 61326-1, Electrical equipment for measurement, control and laboratory use – EMC
requirements – Part 1: General requirements
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
3.1
gas properties
3.1.1
ambient air
normal atmosphere surrounding the equipment
3.1.2
clean air
air that is free of gases or vapours which the sensor is sensitive to or which influence the
performance of the sensor
3.1.3
occupational exposure limit value
OELV
limit of the time-weighted average of the concentration of a chemical agent in the air within
the breathing zone of a worker in relation to a specified reference period
Note 1 to entry: The term “limit value” is often used as a synonym for “occupational exposure limit value”, but the
term “occupational exposure limit value” is preferred because there is more than one limit value (e.g., biological
limit value and occupational exposure limit value).

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IEC 62990-1:2019 © IEC 2019 – 9 –
Note 2 to entry: Occupational exposure limit values (OELVs) are often set for reference periods of 8 h, but can
also be set for shorter periods or concentration excursions.
[SOURCE: ISO 18158:2016, 2.1.5.4, modified (Note 2 to entry is shortened)]
3.1.4
reference value
value used as the basis to specify requirements such as measuring
range, resolution and alarm set point
Note 1 to entry: The term reference value is used in this document because for most toxic gases and vapours the
occupational exposure limit values have not been harmonized at the International level.
3.1.5
poisons
substances that lead to temporary or permanent change of
performance, particularly loss of sensitivity of the sensing element
3.1.6
toxic gas
gas or vapour that can be harmful to human health and/or the performance of persons due to
its physical or physico-chemical properties
Note 1 to entry: For the purpose of this document, the term “toxic g
...