What is the difference between a bump test and a full calibration for a gas detector?

A bump test (also called a function test or challenge test) exposes the gas detector to a known concentration of test gas to verify that the sensors respond and the alarms activate. It does not adjust the instrument. A full calibration adjusts the instrument output to match a known traceable gas concentration, confirming accuracy. Australian Standards and most manufacturers recommend daily bump testing before each use, with full calibration at intervals specified by the manufacturer, typically every 3 to 6 months.

How often should gas detectors be calibrated?

Most gas detector manufacturers recommend bump testing before each use (daily at minimum) and full calibration every 3 to 6 months, or after any event that could affect sensor performance (sensor replacement, exposure to high concentrations, significant impact, storage). Some Australian site standards require more frequent calibration. Always follow the most stringent applicable requirement from the manufacturer, the site safety plan, and applicable standards (AS/NZS 60079-29-2, AS 2290, etc.).

What gases should be included in a bump test?

The gases included in a bump test depend on the sensors installed in the detector. A typical 4-gas detector is tested for: oxygen (O2, to verify depletion sensor), lower explosive limit (LEL, for combustible gas, typically methane), carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen sulphide (H2S). If your detector includes additional sensors (such as SO2, NO2, NH3, CO2, or PID for VOCs), those sensors must also be bump tested. Record each sensor result separately in the log.

What concentration of test gas should be used for bump testing?

Use calibration gas at a concentration that is above the detector alarm set points. Typically, manufacturers recommend using calibration gas at approximately 25 to 50 percent of the sensor range or at a specified concentration. For example, for an H2S alarm set at 5 ppm, use test gas at 10 to 25 ppm. Oxygen depletion is typically tested with an O2 concentration below the low alarm threshold (for example, 15 to 18 percent O2). Check the manufacturer manual for specific requirements.

What records should be kept for gas detector maintenance under WHS regulations?

WHS Regulations 2011 require that safety equipment, including gas detectors, be maintained in effective working order with records kept and made available on request. At minimum, you should maintain daily bump test logs showing sensor response and alarm function, full calibration records with as-found and as-left readings for each sensor, calibration gas certificates with traceability details, and any repair or sensor replacement records. These records must demonstrate that each instrument was in a verified, serviceable condition at the time of use. Most principal contractors and safety auditors expect this documentation as standard practice on any site involving hazardous atmospheres.

Is this gas detector calibration log free to use?

Yes. Download and use the gas detector calibration log for free. Open the file in your browser and use Print then Save as PDF. No MapTrack account is required. If you want to manage gas detector calibration due dates digitally, with automated reminders and calibration records linked to each instrument in your asset register, MapTrack can do that. Book a demo to see how.

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Free gas detector bump test and calibration log (PDF-ready). Daily bump test log (O2, LEL, CO, H2S) plus full calibration record. Download free.

Jarrod Milford

Commercial Director

Updated 3 May 2026

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What is a gas detector bump test / calibration log?

A gas detector calibration log is a two-part record used to manage gas detection equipment in hazardous work environments. The first part is a daily bump test log, which is a register completed before each use to confirm that each sensor responds to its target gas and that alarms activate correctly. A bump test does not adjust the instrument; it simply verifies sensor response and alarm function. The second part is a full calibration record, completed periodically, that adjusts the instrument's readings against a certified reference gas concentration and documents the traceable calibration event with as-found and as-left readings for each sensor.

In Australia, gas detectors used in confined spaces, underground operations, oil and gas facilities and other hazardous environments are subject to WHS Regulations 2011, including Chapter 4, Part 4.3 covering confined spaces, and the relevant Australian Standards. AS/NZS 60079.29.2 specifies the requirements for selection, installation, use and maintenance of gas detectors in explosive atmospheres, while AS 2290 covers mine gas detection. The Safe Work Australia Code of Practice for Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace reinforces that atmospheric monitoring equipment must be maintained and calibrated to ensure reliable performance. Documented bump testing and calibration records demonstrate due diligence and may be required by principal contractors, safety regulators, auditors and insurance providers. For facilities operating under AS ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, calibration of gas detection instruments must be performed by a competent person using traceable reference gases with documented certificates. Without these records, an organisation cannot prove that its gas detection equipment was properly maintained at the time of a gas exposure incident, which can have serious legal and safety consequences.

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Benefits of using this gas detector bump test / calibration log

Life safety assurance: documented bump tests and calibrations confirm that sensors will detect hazardous gases and trigger alarms in time to protect workers.
Regulatory compliance: WHS legislation requires that safety equipment be maintained in effective working order. Records substantiate compliance.
Detect sensor degradation early: a log of as-found readings over time reveals gradual sensor drift before it reaches a point of failure.
Calibration gas traceability: recording calibration gas batch numbers and concentrations confirms that traceable gas was used, supporting audit requirements.
Identify faulty instruments: repeated calibration failures or sensors that fail bump tests repeatedly indicate the instrument needs servicing or sensor replacement.
Due diligence evidence: in the event of a gas detection incident, calibration records demonstrate the instrument was properly maintained.

Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack

When you digitise gas detector log / registers in MapTrack, you get:

Field users can easily scan a QR code to complete a form on mobile. Unlimited users.
Automatically get alerts when faults are identified.
Link every form digitally as a PDF to the relevant asset, location or person.
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Ability to share forms digitally.
Build conditional logic (show or hide questions based on answers).
Take pictures or attach photos. Not possible with a paper-based form.
Electronic signatures.
Edit forms later without reprinting.
Restrict permissions (who can view, complete or approve).
Build forms with AI (describe what you need and MapTrack suggests the form).
Set recurring audit schedules with automatic reminders and escalation.
Produce regulator-ready PDF compliance packs in one click.
Track corrective actions from finding to close-out with full audit trail.

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What to include in a gas detector bump test / calibration log

This gas detector bump test / calibration log covers 6 key areas:

Instrument details: make/model, serial number, asset/ID number, sensor types installed, last calibration date, next calibration due date.
Daily bump test log (20 rows): date, time, tester name, O2 % reading, LEL % reading, CO ppm reading, H2S ppm reading, other sensor reading, overall pass/fail result.
Full calibration record: for each sensor: target gas concentration, as-found reading, deviation, as-left reading, pass/fail and adjustment notes.
Calibration gas details: gas mixture description, supplier, batch/lot number, concentration (%), cylinder ID and expiry date.
Calibration event details: date calibrated, calibrated by, next calibration due, calibration method used.
Technician sign-off: declaration and signature confirming the calibration has been performed correctly and the instrument is fit for service.

How to use this gas detector bump test / calibration log

Fill in the instrument details at the top of the form (make/model, serial number, sensors installed, next calibration due).: Cross-reference the gas detector against your asset register to confirm the correct serial number, sensor configuration and current calibration status. Note the sensors installed (O2, LEL, CO, H2S, or others).
Daily bump test:: Switch on the detector and allow it to complete its self-test. Apply test gas to each sensor using the appropriate bump test kit. Record the date, time, tester name and the sensor readings displayed. Mark Pass if all sensors respond above their alarm thresholds; mark Fail if any sensor does not alarm. Remove the instrument from service if it fails a bump test.
Full calibration (periodic):: Connect the instrument to the calibration kit. Apply zero gas (clean air or nitrogen) to zero the sensors. Apply calibration gas at the target concentration and adjust the instrument to match. Record the as-found reading (before adjustment) and as-left reading (after adjustment) for each sensor. Note the deviation and pass/fail. Record calibration gas batch details.
Record the next calibration due date and the technician's sign-off.: Calculate the next calibration due date based on the manufacturer recommendation, site safety plan and applicable standards. The technician must sign the record confirming the calibration was performed correctly.
Attach a calibration sticker or tag to the instrument showing the next due date.: Apply a clearly visible calibration label or tag to the instrument body showing the calibration date, next due date and technician initials. This allows operators to verify calibration status before each use.

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How often should you complete this log / register?

Gas detectors should be bump tested before each use, which in most site environments means daily. A bump test takes less than a minute and verifies that each sensor and alarm is operational. Do not rely solely on the instrument's self-test (power-on check) as a substitute for a bump test; self-tests do not expose the sensor to gas.

Full calibration should be performed at the interval specified by the manufacturer, typically every 3 to 6 months, or earlier if the instrument fails a bump test, a sensor is replaced, the instrument has been exposed to very high gas concentrations, it has been stored for an extended period, or it has been subjected to significant impact. Always follow the most stringent requirement from the manufacturer, your site safety plan and applicable Australian Standards.

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Applicable regulatory standards

This template aligns with the following regulations and standards:

AS/NZS 60079.29.2 - Explosive atmospheres: Gas detectors (selection, installation, use, maintenance)
AS ISO/IEC 17025 (Calibration laboratory competence)
WHS Regulations 2011 - Chapter 4, Part 4.3 (confined spaces)
Safe Work Australia - Code of Practice: Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace

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