Canister and Suitcase SOP

Collecting Synchronous Canister and a Tedlar™ Bag Sample Using a Suitcase

A. Perform all the following preparative operations on the suitcase:

1. Make sure that the "suitcase" decompression valve on the front is closed (fully clockwise). Once this is closed, there will be no need to open it again under normal circumstances.

2. Make sure all the fittings inside the suitcase are snug. Once tight, there should be no reason to loosen but they should be checked occasionally.

3. Attach the Tedlar™ bag securely by inserting the white nozzle as far as it will go into the Teflon™ insert within the inlet tube on the inside of the suitcase. No need to hammer, just a normal firm push.

4. Make sure the Tedlar™ bag valve (on the bag you will use for sampling) is closed and that the bag appears unused. If the valve is open or there is any air inside the bag, discard and use another bag.

5. Fully close the Tedlar™ bag valve and place the red cover on the inlet outside the suitcase.

6. Open the Tedlar™ bag valve one full turn. One full turn is 360 degrees, a complete revolution.

7. Close the lid and secure the latches.

8. Shove the 3/8" Tygon™ tubing on the quick disconnect all the way up into the vacuum pump.

B. Perform the following operations on the canister:

1. Remove the canisters from their protective cases. Note the gauge reading on the chain-of-custody.

2. Return any canister that reads more than -25 inches of mercury for an exchange (for example, -20" Hg).

C. Perform the following operations on the designated co-located unit.

1. Position the canister and the suitcase at the same height and as close to one another as possible but not so close as to be a hindrance.

2. Turn on the vacuum pump and stand it on end or lay it down near the suitcase. Reset the timer if needed.

3. Withdraw the red cap on the right hand side of the suitcase until it is almost but not quite off. Remove the brass plug from the canister. Don't let dust or water get into the inlet.

4. Start the timer and insert the quick connect fitting into the left-hand slot on the suitcase and wait 30 seconds. Simultaneously remove the red cap on the suitcase and open the green valve on the canister.

5. After three minutes (3½ should show on your timer), close the green valve on the canister and replace the red cap on the suitcase inlet simultaneously.

6. Replace the brass plug cap on the canister, remove the quick disconnect, turn off the vacuum pump and close the Tedlar bag valve inside the suitcase (it may have to decompress for a few seconds).

7. Package the Tedlar™ bag and pack the canister in its case. If both cases can be sealed, put the chain of custody in one of them after filling it out according to its procedure.

Canister and Suitcase SOP

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