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Bump Test vs. Calibration: What's the Difference and When Do You Need Each?
Ask ten safety managers what the difference between a bump test and a calibration is, and you'll get at least three wrong answers. This isn't a trivia question — mixing these up is how gas monitors drift out of adjustment and fail in the field without anyone realizing it. In refineries, utilities, water/wastewater plants, and construction, a gas detector you can't trust is worse than no detector at all, because it gives people a false reason to feel safe.
The short answer: a bump test is a
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Oct 3rd 2026
How Often Should Gas Detectors Be Calibrated? OSHA, Manufacturer & Best Practices
How Often Should Gas Detectors Be Calibrated? OSHA, Manufacturer & Best Practices
If you use gas detectors to keep your people safe, calibration isn't optional — it's the difference between a detector you can trust and one that's just making noise. But "how often" is where most people get confused, because OSHA, MSHA, and the manufacturers don't all say the exact same thing.
Here's the straight answer, plus what we recommend based on what we see every day at CPS Calibrations.
The Short
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Sep 24th 2026