SKC Limited Sidekick Pump Step User Manual

www.skcltd.com

Step by Step Guide

An Introduction to Air Sampling

Sidekick Pump

Contents

The Sidekick Air Sampling Pump .......................................................................................................................1

The I.O.M. Sampler ...........................................................................................................................................2

Inhalable Dust Sampling using the I.O.M. Sampler .............................................................................................3

Respirable Dust Sampling using the Cyclone Sampler .......................................................................................6

Gas & Vapour Sampling using Sorbent Tubes ..................................................................................................10

Gas & Vapour Sampling using Impingers .........................................................................................................13

Bag Sampling using the Sidekick Pump ..........................................................................................................15

The Sample Train .............................................................................................................................................16

Sample Train Check List .................................................................................................................................. 16

A helping hand from the experts

This guide is designed as an introduction to the basic principles of air sampling methods. The advice in this guide
deals with the setting up of equipment only.

Advice notes relating to specific sampling methods can be obtained from the HSE (www.hse.gov.uk) and these
will give you a good understanding of the approach you should take to sampling in your particular industry.

As an expert in the field of air sampling, SKC believe in supporting customers every step of the way, so in addition
to the Step By Step guides there is a range of training seminars available to help you get the best from your
sampling equipment.

If you are new to air sampling, our one day seminar 'A Practical Course in Air Monitoring' will give you the help
you need to get started.

The course includes both theoretical and practical sessions in the use of air sampling equipment. An experienced
practitioner will offer valuable input on sampling strategy and will assist with instrument configuration and
calibration. You will soon have everything you need to formulate a professional monitoring programme.

Contact SKC Limited customer services today for details on courses and available dates:

T: [phone]

E: [e-mail]

W: www.skcltd.com

Page 2 224-G2 Issue B www.skcltd.com

Captive Security

Screws

The Sidekick Air Sampling Pump

Pump Section

Battery Pack

Release Buttons

(one each side)

Battery Pack

Belt Clip

Inlet Hosetail

Timer & Fault Display

Flow Rate Adjuster

LED Run Indicator

224-52MTX Model 224-50/51MTX Models

Clear Control

Cover

On/Off Switch

Inlet Hosetail

Rubber Seal

Inlet Filter

Accessory

Mounting Screws

www.skcltd.com 224-G3 Issue C Page 1

The I.O.M. Sampler*

IMPORTANT

The I.O.M. cassette and filter paper combined must be pre and post weighed together for an

accurate inhalable result

The I.O.M. sampler is designed and closely adheres to the definition for inhalable dust given in EN481

I.O.M. - what does it stand for? The "Institute of
Occupational Medicine". Based in Edinburgh,
researchers at the Institute developed this sampler to
overcome some of the difficulties encountered with
other sampling devices. It is less prone to the effects
of air movement around it than others and utilises a
cassette rather than just a filter paper. There is a very
good reason for the cassette system being adopted.
One of the problems with other devices using a filter
paper alone is loss of sample on the walls of the sampler
itself. The dust which coats the walls of the sampler is not
normally included in the results, hence under sampling
is a possibility. With the I.O.M. sampler this problem is
overcome by using a cassette with the filter inside. It is
important that when a sample is taken the cassette and
filter paper are pre and post weighed as a single unit. By
doing this all the dust on both the filter paper and on the
internal walls of the cassette are included.

†Foam plug
only required for
respirable sampling

*Not required on
stainless steel
I.O.M. sampler

The diagram below shows the component parts of the
sampler and how they are put together.

To fit a filter unscrew the front plate. The cassette,
comprising the inlet spout and filter support grid
can now be removed by pulling forward gently. The
two halves of the cassette clip together and can be
separated with gentle pressure. Once separated a filter
can be placed in the support grid. Snap the inlet spout
into the support grid making sure it is seated down
properly. The cassette is replaced into the body of the
sampler and the front plate screwed on firmly so that
all of the O ring seals are compressed, thus ensuring
there are no leaks.

For further information on the I.O.M. sampler see :­1986 paper, “New Personal Sampler For Airborne Total
Dust In The Workplace” by D Mark / J Vincent. Ref:
Annals Occupational Hygiene No. 30 Pages 89-102.

Spring

Clip

O Ring*

Support

Grid

Sealing Cap

Cassette

Cap

Front
Plate

O Rings

Foam
Plug†

Cassette

Inlet

Spout

Filter

Cassette

Dust Sampling - Inhalable and Respirable

The I.O.M. sampler can also be used for respirable
dust sampling by inserting a foam plug into the inlet
spout part of the cassette. The foam plug size selects
some of the dust that is drawn though it and allows

Foam Plug Cassette Inlet Spout

the correct type of dust to be collected on the filter.
It is also possible to measure both the inhalable and
respirable dust fractions in one sample using the foam
plug and I.O.M. cassette.

Sampler

Body

Rear view of front

plate showing

O ring positions

Ref: Report IR/EXM/99/06 produced by the Health and Safety Laboratory (UK). Available on the HSE web site.
*Manufactured under license from the Institute of Occupational Medicine TM 2043339E.

Page 2 224-G2 Issue B www.skcltd.com

Inhalable Dust Sampling using the I.O.M. Sampler

For information on using the I.O.M. sampler for respirable dust fractions

please contact SKC customer support on [phone]

Inhalable dust is taken to mean any solid particle which
by its small size can be carried in an airflow or remains
airborne. It includes the thoracic and respirable dust
fractions. The inhalable dust fraction size is defined in
the standard EN481. More information is also given in
SKC’s Basic Step By Step Guide (224-G1).

You will need :-

• Sidekick sample pump (fully charged)

• I.O.M. sampler

• A length of flexible tubing

• Two filter papers from the same box or batch

• Flow calibration device capable of measuring 2

litre/min, such as the Defender primary calibrator
or a rotameter

• ‘Calidaptor’ calibration adaptor for the I.O.M.

sampler

• Toolkit to adjust the pump flow rate

3

0

2

5

2

0

1

5

1

0

0

5

0

3

The correct flow rate for the I.O.M. sampler is 2.0 litre/min

1. Mount one of the filter papers into the I.O.M.
cassette. Place the cassette into the sampler body
and screw on the front cover.

2. Connect the I.O.M. sampler with filter paper fitted,
to the inlet hosetail of the sample pump using the
flexible tubing. The inlet hosetail on the Sidekick is
mounted in the centre of the top face of the pump.

3. To set the flow rate required, in this case 2.0
litre/minute, a flow calibration device such as a
Defender primary calibrator or a rotameter, and a
‘calidaptor’ should be used. Make sure the flow
calibrator is capable of measuring the required
flow rate. There are two types of float used in
rotameters. To read them correctly depends on
the type. To read a ball type rotameter correctly
take the reading at the centre of the ball. To read
a float type rotameter correctly take the reading
at the top edge of the float. The float of a float

NOTE: MDHS 14/3
states that a primary
standard such as the
Defender should be used
for flow calibration in
favour of rotameters.

www.skcltd.com 224-G3 Issue C Page 3

Inhalable Dust Sampling using the I.O.M. Sampler

type rotameter is usually marked with a number
of dots. The dots give indication that the float
is spinning in the airflow, thus showing that it
is not touching the walls of the rotameter tube
which could affect the accuracy of the reading.
Note that the rotameter must be placed onto a
flat, level surface to ensure that the float does
not touch the sides of the rotameter tube.

2

5

2

0

1

5

1

0

Ball Type Float Type

Read Here Read Here

2

5

2

0

1

5

1

0

4. The I.O.M. sampler with filter fitted is placed
onto the foam sealing pad on the top of the
calidaptor. Secure the I.O.M. sampler to the
calidaptor using the finger screw, ensuring a
good seal of the front face of the I.O.M. sampler
to the foam pad. The hosetail fitting supplied
with the calidaptor is screwed into the hole in the
bottom of the calidaptor. The calidaptor hosetail
is connected to the hosetail on the Defender
primary calibrator marked ‘Suction’, with the
length of tubing supplied with the calidaptor.
Turn on the Defender primary calibrator
and set it to take continuous flow readings.

with the calidaptor to connect the calidaptor
to the rotameter. Fit the I.O.M. sampler to the
calidaptor and secure with the finger screw.

3

0

2

5

2

0

1

5

1

0

0

5

0

3

6. The pump flow rate is adjusted using the
smallest bladed screwdriver attachment of the
toolkit supplied with the pump. Lift up the hinged
clear cover on the top of pump, and switch on
the pump using the on/off push-button. Use the
screwdriver tool to turn the adjustment screw
adjacent to the on/off push-button. As the screw
is turned the flow reading on the flow calibrator
should increase or decrease. If this does not
happen check the system for leaks or blockages.
One common cause of lack of flow is by using
the separation papers (usually coloured blue)
sometimes found in boxes of filters, instead of
the filters themselves (usually white). Once the
flow is set to the required level of 2.0 litre/min,
switch the sample pump off.

7. Remove the I.O.M. sampler from the calidaptor
and then remove the filter cassette from the
sampler. Remove the filter paper from the
cassette, and ensure that the cassette inlet
spout and support grid are clean and free of
contamination. Fit the second filter paper into

5. If using a rotameter to set the flow rate, the
calidaptor is designed to screw directly into the
inlet in the top of SKC rotameters. Unscrew the
hosetail fitting supplied with the rotameter, and
screw the calidaptor into the threaded hole in the
top of the rotameter, fastening tightly to ensure
a good seal. If using a non-SKC rotameter, use
the hosetail fitting and length of tubing supplied

Page 4 224-G2 Issue B www.skcltd.com

the cassette. Pre-weigh the filter and cassette,
and then fit the cassette back into the I.O.M.
sampler. Check the flow once again with the pre­weighed filter and cassette in place and make
any final adjustments needed to bring the flow
to the required level. It is advisable to do this
as quickly as possible to minimise the chance
of collecting anything that may affect the final