What is true regarding air monitoring devices?

Air monitoring devices are essential tools for firefighters and hazardous materials responders, as they help identify the presence and concentration of specific gases in the environment. The correct response identifies that each device is calibrated to a specific gas, which ensures accurate readings specific to that gas’s characteristics. Calibration allows the device to respond appropriately to the gas it is designed to measure, accounting for factors such as molecular weight, density, and the unique detection properties of each substance.

Having devices calibrated for specific gases ensures that responders can accurately assess hazardous environments, enhancing safety and response effectiveness. For instance, if a device is calibrated for carbon monoxide, it will be optimally configured to detect that gas, rather than others that may exist in the environment. This is pivotal during emergency situations where the presence of dangerous substances must be detected quickly and reliably.

In contrast, the other options do not hold true universally. Many monitors do not possess standard response curves because different substances behave differently under varying conditions. Similarly, conversion factors vary widely by device and gas; they cannot be assumed to apply uniformly across all monitoring devices. Lastly, while some devices measure concentrations relative to lower or upper explosive limits, not all devices operate on this principle, nor are they designed exclusively for that purpose. Understanding how and why air