TIF 8800 combustible gas analyzer checking a furnace draft hood for spillage (C) Daniel Friedman

Guide to Using the TIF 8800 for Combustible Gas or Heating Flue Gas Detection

TIF 8800 GAS DETECTOR - Using the TIF 8800 Gas Detector & pocket-sized gas detectors for combustible and heating flue gases. Guide to detecting flue gas leaks, heat exchanger leaks, carbon monoxide, chimney leaks, sewer gas leaks
- TIF 8800 Test procedure: how to use the instrument
- Use the TIF-8800 to Check for Carbon Monoxide Hazards?
- Safety Warnings About Using a Gas Detection Device
CO DETECTOR OPTIONS - separate article
Drager GAS DETECTORS - separate article
GAS DETECTION INSTRUMENTS - separate article
GAS DETECTOR WARNINGS - separate article
TIF 8800 FIELD TEST - separate article, experience using the TIF8800 for LP gas leak detection
Questions & answers and safety advice for using combustible gas detection equipment
References

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InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

How to test for combustible gas or flue gas leaks: This document explains how to use the TIF 8800 combustible gas analyzer and similar equipment, outlining methods used to test for the level of toxic and other gases in buildings and in outdoors. In related documents we give references and explanation regarding toxicity of several of the most common indoor gases, based on literature search and obtained from the U.S. government and expert sources. We include reference links to many articles that can help diagnose the source of dangerous carbon monoxide in buildings.

Seek prompt advice from your doctor or health/safety experts if you have any reason to be concerned about exposure to toxic gases.

Guide to Using the TIF 8800 Combustible Gas Detector

Flue gas detectors and combustible gas analyzers such as the TIF8800 discussed here can add an additional level of testing for dangerous gas leaks, flue gas leaks, and assist in detecting leaky chimneys or unsafe gas or oil fired heat exchangers.

This text may assist readers in understanding these topics. However it should by no means be considered exhaustive.

We include safety warnings about relying on any instrument to detect flue gas leaks, natural gas leaks, LP or propane gas leaks, etc.

In our photo at left the TIF 8800 combustible gas analyzer is being used to check for flue gas spillage at the built-in draft hood intake at a gas furnace.

Because it responds to a wide spectrum of hydrocarbons and other gases or chemicals, broad spectrum sensitive instruments such as the TIF8800 must be used with some intelligence.

The photograph at left shows our TIF 8800 combustible gas analyzer being used to sniff for possible sewer gases at an industrial sink. Just about any building drain at a sink includes a local plumbing trap that will produce low levels of detectable gases.

The TIF 8800 gas detection instrument is very sensitive to a wide range of combustibles and hydrocarbons, and is a quick and reliable way to check for gas leaks at LP or natural gas lines as well as for flue gas spillage.

An audible signal which makes a "geiger-counter"-like ticking noise will speed up as the sensor is moved closer to a leak source. This permits the user to not only detect that a combustible gas leak is present, but to follow the gas leak concentration to its source.

Tracking down odors to a beauty salon (C) Daniel Friedman

The difficulty of making sense of sensitive gas test instrument readings is illustrated by our photographs just above. Called to track down "chemical odors" in a New York law office we found that all of the offices in a one story building shared a common ceiling plenum through which HVAC return air circulated. At the opposite end of the building from the law office was a beauty parlor whose chemicals proved to be the odor source. Checking the sink (above left) where chemicals were used gave a strong reaction from our TIF8800, but the main chemical source proved to be a closet in which loosely-capped, leaky, and even spilled chemical bottles were stored (above right).

The user can adjust the actual field sensitivity of the instrument using a knob visible at the lower right of the silver control panel in the photograph. The TIF instrument company rates the instrument as responding to very small traces of combustible gases, from 50 PPM to 1000 PPM.

When checking gas piping for leaks, if the plumber has recently sealed a connection using certain pipe sealants containing aromatic hydrocarbon solvents, this instrument will respond just as if there were a gas leak.

It's a fabulous tool when used with thought, and it has often found gas leaks that were otherwise missed by the soap or match (dangerous) method used by many plumbers.

To maximize the sensitivity of the TIF8800 and thus its ability to detect combustible gas leaks, we recommend turning on the instrument while outside in fresh air (and away from any running automobiles or similar equipment).

Let the instrument stabilize, adjust it for a steady but fairly sensitive beeping tone, then enter the area to be inspected.

TIF 8800 Test procedure To Screen for Flue Gas Spillage or for Combustible LP or Natural Gas

Following a warm up period (electrode in the sensing tip has to heat up) an adjustable dial sets a tic noise to a steady but modest rate. The manufacturer says to use a rapid rate - which is a more sensitive setting.

As the sensing tip is moved into test locations the operator listens for an increase in the tic rate. The faster the tic the higher the concentration of whatever is being detected.

Your breath will make the instrument respond, even if you're sober - because of its humidity. Gas leaks in any serious quantity will promptly change the tic rate to a continuous siren.

If the siren sounds before the leak source can be identified, the air in the area is contaminated with heavy concentrations of gas. The user can desensitize the tip by turning the control knob to a slower tic rate. When looking for small leaks, a high tic rate must be used.

When to make heating furnace plenum measurements for gas leakage

At CO DETECTOR OPTIONS we expliain in detail that when using any gas detector tool to test inside of the air plenum of a fossil-fuel fired appliance as a screen for CO or flue gas leakage, a critical test time is before the blower fan has come on. That's because once the fan begins not only is building air in the plenum diluted, the pressurization of air around the heat exchanger may change the direction of a combustion gas leak.

When using the TIF 8800 or similar gas detectors, remember to test the air for combustible gases at various levels or heights

As we illustrate below, test building air at floor, mid-room height, and near the ceiling, since despite the varying weights of gases (such as LP gas and natural gas), a combustible gas or flue gas might be found at an unexpected location.

For example, flue gases that should be heavier than air and should be found accumulating at floor level may in fact be accumulating at ceiling level in a building where they are carried while mixed with other hot or warm combustion air products (which rise by natural convection).

Using a CO gas detector to screen for Carbon Monoxide: 3 test positions (C) InspecgtAPedia Matzen Friedman

Our sketches illustrate at least three test locations that should be checked when using a CO detector or a Combustible gas detector (like the TIF-8800)at a heating appliance.

We test at the appliance, we test at the floor (heavier-than-air gas mixes including LP gas), and we test near the ceiling (warm air such as leaky flue gas rises). You may find surprising results.

We inspected a property that had suffered an LP gas explosion and damage. An screened porch was enclosed by solid walls in its lower half. An LP tank stored there was attached to a portable barbecue unit and was leaking.

The property owner opened the kitchen door to access the screened porch whose lower half was filled with LP gas. When the kitchen door opened and a kitchen light switch was operated, LP gas that had entered the kitchen from the porch exploded.

Also see HEAT EXCHANGER LEAK ALLOWED - separate article

Because the TIF 8800 responds to a very wide range of combustible gases, it is useful in tracking down sewer gas or septic gas odors as well. See

Sewer Gas Odors diagnosing, finding, and curing septic tank and sewer line smells and odors
Building Drains & Sewer Lines - diagnosing odors in buildings coming from leaky sewer lines or drain lines
Sewer Gas - Methane and other septic system gas explosion or asphyxiation hazards such as hydrogen sulfide
Odors, Smells, Gases - diagnosis and cure of all kinds of odors in buildings

Is it Reasonable to Use the TIF-8800 to Check for Carbon Monoxide Hazards?

Yes and No. If the instrument responds we don't know just which gas it is responding-to as it is very sensitive to a wide range of hazardous and combustible gases. However, as carbon monoxide released from a heating appliance such as a furnace, boiler, or water heater is being produced by gas (or possibly fuel oil, kerosene, coal or other bio fuel) it is not going to be produced in pure nor isolated form.

Rather the CO (carbon monoxide) will be mixed with leaking or spilling flue gases.

For this reason alone, in our OPINION the detection of abnormal flue gas spillage would be a sufficient indicator of unsafe conditions in a building regardless of the absolute level of carbon monoxide in the mix at that moment.

What the heck is "abnormal flue gas spillage?" Well it's normal for there to be a brief burp or spill of flue gases from many heating appliances at the time of burner start-up and before the chimney has become heated enough to establish full draft. Certainly after a few minutes (five minutes is a reasonable rule of thumb for most residential buildings) there should be no ongoing flue gas spillage at the appliance.

Safety Warnings About Using a Gas Detection Device to Check for Dangerous Flue Gases or Natural Gas / LP / Propane Gas Leaks

Watch out: Testing for any gas in a building by relying solely on test instruments can be dangerously misleading.

Our photo at left shows a dangerously leaky heating flue - in this case it was visually obvious and no flue gas detection equipment was necessary.

Watch out: when inspecting and testing furnace heat exchangers for leaks, don't forget to look for other flue gas or carbon monoxide leak sources such as shown in our photo at left. Failure to observe a gross safety hazard such as this one risks focusing on the wrong hazard.

False positive gas test results: The TIF8800, for example, is a wonderfully sensitive instrument and it can detect very low levels of flue gas or combustible gases.

But it will also respond to other substances that are miscible in air. Just try breathing on the sensing tip when the instrument is set to a sensitive position and you'll get a response. So test instruments work best in the hands of a very experienced building investigator and instrument user.

False negative results: any gas detection instrument is vulnerable to variations in building conditions or in the operation of mechanical systems in the building that can temporarily hide the presence of a dangerous gas leak. For example, a leaky heat exchanger in a heating furnace may leak detectable gases into the warm air plenum only until the blower fan comes on. Changes in building pressures, open or shut windows or doors, fans on or off, and other such variables can completely change the detectable presence of a dangerous gas indoors.

For this reason, if you call a fire department or emergency worker to test a building for the presence of a dangerous gas such as flue gases, leaks in natural or LP or propane gas lines or equipment, or carbon monoxide levels, even if the worker detects no gas leak present at the time of the inspection that is not a guarantee that the building is safe.

What should you do about this gas test reliability problem? Where there are reasons to be concerned about unsafe gas levels in a building, a more thorough building investigation is in order. Such an investigation includes at least

Taking a history of building related indoor air or safety or gas leak complaints
A visual inspection of the entire building for possible conditions that could produce or hide a dangerous gas leak, such as the condition of chimneys, vents, heating equipment and appliances as well as building fans and ventilation systems.
Tests for the presence of leaking chimneys, flues, appliances, gas piping etc. These may include introducing of a tracer gas into heating equipment to test for leaks in a heat exchanger or flue.

Readers should see GAS DETECTOR WARNINGS for additional recommendations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about how to use the TIF8800 combustible gas analyzer to sniff for gas leaks such as LP, natural gas, flue gas, or carbon monoxide leaks in buildings

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Technical Reviewers & References

Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.

TIF Instruments, Inc., 9101 NW 7th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33150 (This is where we've sent our TIF 8800 and TIF 5000 for repairs).
Jennifer Moore, Sales Administrator, Nextteq, LLC, Tampa FL, www.nextteq.com 813-249-5888. Nextteq is the master Distributor for Gastec in the United States. According to the company's website, Gastec Gas Sampling Pumps are the industry’s first and only pumps to provide on-the-spot measurement of ambient temperature. [Private email, JM to DF 5/23/08]
"Choosing and Using a Carbon Monoxide CO Monitor," Dan Friedman, The ASHI Technical Journal, Vol. 2 No. 1, July1991
"Heat Exchanger Testing, Who's Right?" Dan Friedman, The ASHI Technical Journal, Vol. 2 No. 1, July1991
"Case History: LP Gas Leak - Using the TIF 8800," Dan Friedman, The ASHI Technical Journal, Vol. 2 No. 1, July1991
Chimneys, Flues, Woodstoves & Fireplaces: Safety Concerns, safe and proper venting of combustion gases, carbon monoxide hazards
GAS EXPOSURE EFFECTS, TOXIC Toxic Gas Exposure effects, including links to toxic gas exposure screening and gas testing protocols.
Gases: Toxic gases, indoor exposure levels, testing, identification
A Toxic Gas Testing Plan: A Gas Sampling Plan for Residential and Commercial buildings lists some of the toxic indoor gases for which we test, depending on the building complaint and building conditions
Gas Exposure Hazard Levels: for Toxic Gas Exposure to Ammonia, Arsine, Arsenic, Bromine, Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, Hydride, Ozone - allowable exposure levels and hazard levels
Carbon Dioxide Gas Toxicity hazard level, poisoning symptoms, & testing
Carbon Monoxide Gas Toxicity hazard levels, poisoning symptoms, & testing
Formaldehyde: US EPA. UFFI (Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation) was previously considered a hazard (formaldehyde outgassing). Subsequent research virtually closed concern regarding this material; however formaldehyde appears to remain a health concern for sensitive individuals.
Ozone Warnings - Use of Ozone as a "mold" remedy is ineffective and may be dangerous.
Sampling for gases in air such as VOC's, MVOC's, toxic chemicals, and combustion products.
Unfortunately no single test or tool can detect all possible building contaminants. We use methods and equipment which can test for common contaminants. If the identity of a specific contaminant is known in advance we can also test for a very large number of specific contaminant gases in buildings.
We use gas sampling equipment provided by the two most reliable companies in the world, Draeger-Safety's detector-tubes and Drager accuro bellows pump, the Gastec cylinder pump and detector-tube system produced by Gastec. We also have used gas detection tubes by Gastec previously marketed for use with Sensidyne pumps but Sensidyne pumps now use Kitagawa gas detection tubes. We also use Sensidyne's Gilian air pump. For broad screening for combustibles and a number of other toxic gases and for leak tracing we also use Amprobe's Tif8850 and 8800, and the TIF 5000 automatic halogen leak detector (for air conditioning and cooling system refrigerant leak detection). All of these instruments, their applications, and sensitivities (minimum detectable limits) for specific gases are described in our Gas Sampling Plan online document.
Radon Gas U.S. EPA Radon level maps

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

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The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.

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Building inspection education & report writing systems from Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd

Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, have provided us with (and we recommend) Carson Dunlop Weldon & Associates' Technical Reference Guide to manufacturer's model and serial number information for heating and cooling equipment
Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Technical Reference Guide purchased as a single order. Just enter INSPECTATRG in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
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