NCJ Number
95155
Date Published
1984
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This standard establishes performance requirements and test methods for evaluating portable organic vapor detectors, instruments that may be used by arson investigators to locate fire debris that may contain residues of a liquid accelerant.
Abstract
Portable organic vapor detectors are addressed whose sensor is one of the following types: catalytic combustion, flame-ionization, photoionization, or spectrophotometric. Terms are defined and performance requirements are spelled out. The manufacturer or distributor shall supply an instruction manual. The design and transporting devices shall permit transportation and operation by one person without excessive strain or exhaustion. The device shall measure concentrations of isooctane and toluene vapor in air within the range of 10 to 50 parts per million, with a standard deviation of no more than 20 percent. The response of the detector to the vapor of simulated arson fire debris containing gasoline residues shall be significantly greater than the response to accelerant-free fire debris. Fully-charged batteries shall have sufficient power to operate the detector accurately for at least 4 consecutive hours. Test methods to be used in a laboratory are outlined. A list of five references is appended.