Overview

This European Standard specifies an automated measurement method for the determination of the concentration of carbon monoxide present in ambient air based on the non-dispersive infrared spectroscopic measuring principle. This method is also the reference method for measurements in connection with Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe. For this reason the standard contains the minimum criteria required to select an appropriate NDIR analyser by means of type approval tests as well as the requirements for evaluation of the suitability of an analyser for use in a specific fixed site (rural areas, urban-background areas and traffic-orientated locations) so as to meet the data quality requirements as specified in the EU Directive. The method is applicable to the determination of the mass concentration of carbon monoxide up to 100 mg/m³ carbon monoxide. This concentration range represents the certification range for the type approval test. The standard contains information for different groups of users: a) general information about the principles of CO measurement by an NDIR analyser and sampling equipment. b) information for test houses and laboratories that perform type-approval testing of automated analysers (test conditions, test procedures and test requirements; minimum criteria required to select an analyser; evaluation of the test results; establishment and evaluation of the measurement uncertainty. c) information for air quality monitoring networks (initial installation of the analyser in the monitoring network and acceptance testing; ongoing quality assurance/quality control; calculation and reporting of measurement results; evaluation of the measurement uncertainty under practical monitoring conditions.) As a result, this standard gains considerable importance for manufacturers of analysers. This standard is the European-wide foundation for uniform measurement of air quality in relation to the CO concentration.

Document: references other documents

Responsible national committee

NA 134-04-03-09 UA - Performance criteria (ambient air)  

Responsible european committee

CEN/TC 264/WG 12 - Ambient air – VOCs/SO2/NO2/O3/CO