Analytical Chemists Inc.
7551 Convoy Ct. San Diego, CA 92111    800-466-8898

  If you can breathe it, we can analyze it.

Air Analysis:

  What can go wrong with air?
Is just changing filters enough?
Sampling my system: when and how?
Sampling Kits: are there any differences?
Can air analysis make a difference for me?
Is there a best and/or lowest cost program? 

Our goal is to provide the answers on just about everything 
that you ever wanted and needed to know about 
checking the purity of your life support gas.

About Us   

Analytical Chemists, Inc is an independent laboratory located in San Diego, California.  Our primary business is the analysis of gases (Life Support Air, Oxygen, Nitrox, Heli-Ox, Medical Air, Manufacturing Air, and High Purity Gases), which are sampled through the use of our state-of-the-art gas sampling kits. Our world-wide clients include diving operations (sport and commercial), fire departments, military organizations (combat and shipyard support), hospitals, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and gas suppliers.

  What Makes Us Unique- The U.S. Military and Military Contractors

§         25 years of constant personal contact with Navy and Marine Divers at every level: Saturation, Salvage, Naval Shipyards, Navy Diving Schools, EOD units, SEAL teams, Submarines, and the Deep Submergence Unit.  With 5 major Navy bases only minutes away, we have been able to personally sample nearly every type of air system that the US Navy deploys.  We have even sampled open dive bells at 50 ft underwater. 

§         Military contractors like Northrop, Lockheed, General Dynamics and Hughes Aircraft have relied on us for support with special gas systems for space vehicles.

§          We are the only commercial laboratory in the US that can bring all that hands-on experience to compressed gas projects.

§          We are also the only company in the industry that can offer air & gas sampling equipment for all situations in addition to laboratory analysis

Our Testing Programs are Unique 

Sport & Fire Departments  
1.  New client process.  Call us ( 800-466-8898) and tell us how often you wish to have your air checked: Quarterly, Biannual, or Annual. If you aren't certain, or if the climate dictates your business schedule, we will offer advice and set up a custom schedule for you.

2.  Decide how you will pay for the service.  All things considered, our cost structure is currently the least expensive in the U.S.  We do not require you to buy our sampling kits, and we do not require you to pay for a full year in advance.  We accept MasterCard, VISA, and your business check.  If you are a municipal activity or a large company, we can set up an account and invoice you. The cost of the analysis includes our prepaid shipping costs; there are no hidden fees.  

3.  Give us your shipping and mailing address, phone & FAX number (and email address if you prefer). Tell us when you wish to start.  Once you are in the program we will send you a reminder note 2 weeks before your next test.

4.  If you need to test your air for Oxygen Compatibility, tell us because we have several cost saving options. We also have the only appropriate program for testing Oxygen Compatible Air in the U.S.

 Some extra things you will appreciate:  Our reports are simple and complete; we FAX them  in 24 hours and then mail them.  If there is a problem  we will call you, tell you what caused it, and send you a repeat test kit for just the cost of shipping (usually $12 or less).  Our sampling kits are the simplest and most effective in the industry; it has no glass to break or needles to bend, and it has no breakable parts. Unlike the kits of  TRI, Trace Analytics, and L Factor Inc. our sampling kits do not use tiny holes (~ 0.01 inches) to control the air flow.  After you pull the sample you will send the entire kit back to us; there is nothing for you to keep track of or worry about misplacing; we send a refurbished kit to use each time you pull a sample. The kit is designed for testing SCUBA and SCBA air systems. Moisture is an optional test. We include a Drager moisture tube to let you determine the moisture content of your air while you pull the sample..  

·    Our simple - user friendly - air sampling kits (US Patent 5,101,671 & others Pending) are unique, and are the only technically correct sampling kits available in the US.  Our Universal Kit can take any air sample (LP, HP, Low Flow, and High Flow systems) in nearly any situation without preplanning anywhere in the world.  

Our light weight  Sport/Fire Department sampling kit is designed specifically for SCUBA and SCBA high pressure air systems.  Like the Universal Kit, our Sport/Fire Department sampling kits are also mailed to a list of clients that range from individual divers in Alaska, to recreational dive centers from Japan to Key West, and US military commands on land and at sea. 

      Our Instant Air Analysis kit  meets the needs of remote facilities.  There are situations where time or location make it difficult to obtain, use and return the sampling kit to the laboratory.  In those situations, a quick on-site check of the air would be very important for decision making.  To meet this need, we have developed a kit that allows you to test compressed air on site using color indicator tubes and a special filter. The Instant Air Analysis kits also provides for laboratory backup and technical assistance.   

Laboratory Analysis

·    Our analytical methods are built upon our own research to meet the criteria of standard CGA specifications as well as more complex projects requiring parts per billion sensitivities for very deep diving and submarine repair.  Our protocols are driven by a QA program that goes far beyond the requirements of NAVSEA, OSHA, PADI and the CGA.  Indeed, many of the parts of the current US Navy Diver’s Air program for sampling and analysis since 1993 were based on our protocols.

Custom Programs

·    Although we excel in routine air analyses, there are many specifications and unique situations that contractors and maintenance facilities have to deal with.  Our familiarity with a broad range of test criteria make it possible for us to develop an appropriate custom sampling and analysis program for nearly any application.  Call us; the advice is free.

 Costs Per Sample 

Air analysis is not just another task; it is done for important reasons. Saving a few dollars
is not worth the gamble if you use a kit that is unlikely to find all the contaminants.

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DEDICATED SPORT/FIRE DEPARTMENT Instant Air Check Kit

This compact kit uses a modified form of the basic Sport/Fire Department  Air Sampling Kit.  We include a special holder that uses Drager tubes to estimate the concentration of select gases in the compressed air.  Although not a precise measurement, this approach avoids the total dependence on laboratory testing.  Air traveling through the sampler block passes through glass tubes containing substances that change color or develop a stain with certain compounds.  The tube calibrations allow you to "read" the concentration of the compound being measured.  A more sophisticated version of the Instant Air Check kit includes a membrane depth filter which adds the ability to let you visually see if significant levels of oil mist and particulate are present in your compressed air. In addition to that filter, this version includes a canister that can be filled with the air sample and sent to a laboratory for additional analyses or confirmation of the Drager tube test results.

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CONTRACTORS & MANUFACTURERS PROGRAM 

The variety and complexity of air systems encountered by contractors and compressor repair companies is different than for dive centers; it requires a Universal Air Sampling Kit below (rather than our dedicated Sport/Fire Department sampling kit above).  Our Universal kit allows a single person to pull a sample from any compressor (LP MP HP) without help. Upon authorization or per your schedule, we will mail our Universal Air Sampling Kit to you.  After sampling the system, you return the kit to us.  We perform most routine analyses (CGA D & E or USN Divers) within 24 hours. The report is sent by FAX or E-mail; the hard copy is mailed within 3 days.  If a sample fails, we will tell you why and suggest corrective action.  

This Universal kit is sold in several configurations (6 sample kit below or a 12 sample kit) which can be customized for your use.  By including a Drager tube holder and a small selection of Drager tubes, the Universal kit becomes a laboratory in a suitcase.  (See bulletin summary #28 below.)

 Universal Air Sampling Kit (patented) 

1. Our Universal Air Sampling Kit can sample any LP or HP compressor at 1 – 200⁺ SCFM.  It comes with the most common fittings, but we always customize it for your connection at no extra cost.  The Universal Kit can be configured for as little as one sample or up to 12 sample.

2. The kit is compact, lightweight and unbreakable.  It contains no glass, needles or tiny inlet orifices that would block debris or oil mist.

3. Our filter is in a clear rugged housing to allow instant examination. If you have an Oil Mist + Particulate problem you will be able to recognize it and begin repairs immediately.

4. The bulk air sample (for analysis of gases and volatile hydrocarbons) is contained in our compact lightweight canister.  It is safe and meets DOT and IATA criteria for shipping on passenger aircraft. 

5. Our Universal kit is easy to use: a single person can pull a sample in 12 minutes. The simple instructions are color coded and by-the-numbers.  They are in English. 

6. After sampling, you will return the entire kit to our lab for analysis and refurbishing.  

The Analysis and Report

Most analyses are completed and FAXed in 24 hours. (Some specifications - such as BB-A-1034- take longer.)   The reports are FAXed and mailed immediately.  Where possible, reports for the military are formatted to duplicate the specification, thereby making it east for the contactor to interact with the military personnel.   We are approved for all US military facilities and are accredited by the AIHA.  We are also members in good standing in the new air analysis organization called CAPT.  It is the only round robin air testing organization in the US.

Costs Per Sample

The  most common requests are for CGA Grade D & E, however we perform many types of purity checks.  Contact us for other specifications.  We operate on a credit card, or prepayment basis until an open account is established.  Discounts may apply depending on the number of samples submitted at one time, the analysis requested, and/or the volume of requests.  

The cost below reflects the special needs of contractors, and the use of our Universal Air Sampling kit (rather than the smaller Dedicated Dive Center kit).   Quantity discounts may apply.

How to reach us by email 

BULLETINS

Contact us by send us an email or just telephone us (in USA 858-5604916 Voice & FAX)