Do you feel confident in your team’s practical knowledge and preparedness for situations involving hazardous materials? Do they have a deep understanding of the impact of hazardous materials on their immediate environment and the actions required to ensure safety in ever-changing conditions?
As we know, it’s not enough to simply understand the numbers on a detector. HazMat teams need to utilise their situational awareness to respond accordingly, and this generally only comes with significant practical experience.
Investing in the right equipment for practical training, however, comes with the need to consider preventative maintenance, calibration, and ongoing investment in repairs and consumables. Many instructors have turned to simulators to override these challenges and allow for realistic plug-and-play applications of HazMat situations.
And in the months since Argon’s introduction of the new Generic MultiGAS-SIM, many users have benefited from enhanced hands-on training in realistic environments. Their feedback has been invaluable, and we at Argon are pleased to see that our newest offering is improving HazMat training for teams across Government and industry.
With this in mind, we want to take a closer look at the Generic MultiGAS-SIM, its benefits and applications, and a few practical applications of this powerful training technology.
Related: Argon Launch Generic MultiGAS Training Simulator
Introducing the Generic MultiGAS-SIM
Multi-Gas meters are essential tools for HazMat teams, firefighters, military and industrial personnel tasked with monitoring the environment and aiding in safe operations, especially in locations that involve confined spaces.
These tools are highly sensitive and require a great deal of hands-on, realistic training, however prohibitions and logistical constraints can make it difficult to achieve the type of instruction required to adequately prepare users for any operational challenges involving real-life HazMat incidents.
To address this, response teams across governments, industries and countries have begun implementing simulation tools such as Argon’s Generic MultiGAS-SIM as part of their HazMat training.
The Generic MultiGAS-SIM is a highly configurable simulator that mimics the operation of real gas detectors. It enables instructors to select the quantity and type of simulated sensor and configure the visual layout of the sensors on the display screen. You can also set the low and high alarms to align with your own procedures. This allows instructors to accurately replicate the sensor layout configuration and alarms of their operational detectors.
Key benefits of the Generic MultiGAS-SIM:
- Supports from one to a total of six different simulation sensor types, including O2, CL2, SO2 and LEL
- Does not require regular calibrations or preventative maintenance
- Total cost of ownership is low due to low requirement of consumables (AA batteries only)
- Can be easily configured to incorporate specific simulation sensors as required to represent fielded single or multiple sensor MultiGAS detectors
- Enables tailored training for a wide range of hazardous environments and operational conditions
- Instructor monitoring via optional instructor control enables real-time trainee feedback
- Provides realistic O2 readings and LRVS simulation gas emitters (detected up to 25 meters/80 feet) in free space
- Can be provided with an optional Gamma Radiation Survey sensor which offers highly realistic simulations of radiological hazard responses
Related: Introduction to HazMat Training
Use case and applications for the Generic MultiGAS-SIM
The Generic MultiGAS-SIM is beneficial to a variety of Government agencies and industries as it’s easy to use, does not require regular calibrations or preventative maintenance, and doesn’t involve any consumables (other than AA batteries).
There are many applications where MultiGas detectors are implemented, for example the fire service may be required to investigate natural gas leaks, gasoline spills, home CO alarm calls, and overall operations. Argon’s MultiGAS-SIM allows users to train in a wide variety of incidents and environments, making it a valuable training resource.
The MultiGAS-SIM responds to our standard, easy-to-use simulation Long Range Vapour Source (LRVS) hazards that can be deployed almost anywhere - from shipboard exercises at sea, to the open air, to confined indoor spaces. The simulation sources are programmable to represent a wide range of hazardous substances and scenarios (including the depletion of O2), allowing for flexible, fully customisable training scenarios. Simulation even includes displacement of O2 due to other substances even if the sensor for the displacing substance is not installed.
The optional Gamma Radiation Survey sensor also enables compatibility with Argon’s GS series simulation Gamma Sources and seamlessly pairs with our range of simulation Gamma Survey meters, Spectrometers, and Personal Dosimeters. This allows for highly realistic simulation of radiological hazard responses, and wider range of scenarios that more closely align with real-world situations.
MultiGAS-SIM can also be used alongside the PlumeSIM, Argon’s world-leading wide-area CBRN/HazMat training system. Using the MultiGAS-SIM with this wide area training system allows teams to prepare for complex HazMat scenarios in real time.
Some practical applications for the MultiGAS-SIM include:
- Gas density exercises where LRVS units can be placed at different altitudes. This allows the student to conduct a specific operational procedure involving confined space entry.
- Practice the correct use of SCBA and PPE based upon different emergency response protocols. This is especially critical if there is low oxygen or toxic gases present.
- Utilising its ability to simulate LEL depletion and Oxygen depletion simultaneously. This allows students to learn the LEL level required for different gases and how they are dependant on atmospheric conditions such as temperature.
Simulation gas leaks and how to locate the source of the leak and whether the environment is safe – for example carbon monoxide leaks or natural gas leaks where the capability of measuring several gases at once is crucial.
These are just a few of the many applications available for the MultiGAS-SIM. Utilising this powerful and adaptable tool will help ensure your team gains the practical experience necessary to develop situational awareness for any potential HazMat situation.
Want to find out more? Download the Generic MultiGAS-SIM brochure, or get in touch with Argon Electronics to discuss how simulators can enhance your organisation's HazMat training.
