Which procedure is used to verify a gas detector responds to gas before use?

• A. A full calibration with a standard gas concentration
• B. A bump test
• C. A visual inspection
• D. A battery check

Answer: (B)

Verifying gas detector responsiveness before use is done with a bump test. This quick check exposes the detector to a small, known concentration of test gas to confirm the sensors respond and the alarms (audible and visual) trigger as expected. It validates that the device would detect a real exposure in the field without performing a full calibration.

A full calibration with standard gas concentration is more thorough, adjusting the sensor readings to match known values for accuracy, but it’s not the immediate pre-use check you rely on to confirm the detector will respond. Visual inspection looks for physical damage or blockages, not actual gas response. A battery check ensures power is present but doesn’t verify sensor function.