← MeoMock / Written exams
Class 4 (4th Engineer) SSEP 📅 Sep 2025

Exam Question

Petroleum vapours are a dangerous substance and when mixed with air can be ignited. With this in mind, briefly describe,

(a) An explosimeter or combustion gas indicator which can be used to check the atmosphere of a tank or pump room (10)

(b) Describe the explosimeter and its operation. (10)

Exam question diagram

Reference Answer

### (a) Brief Description of an Explosimeter
An explosimeter, also known as a combustible gas indicator, is a portable instrument designed to measure the concentration of flammable hydrocarbon vapours in the atmosphere of an enclosed space, such as a cargo tank or a pump room. Its primary function is to provide a quantitative assessment of the explosion risk.
- **Purpose**: To detect and measure flammable gas concentrations below the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL), ensuring the atmosphere is safe for personnel entry or for carrying out hot work.
- **Principle**: It operates on the principle of catalytic combustion within a balanced electrical circuit known as a Wheatstone bridge.

Full answer on MeoMock — surveyor-grade reference answers for 7,000+ written exam questions.

View plans Browse library

← Browse more questions

Prepare on Android — MeoMock on Google Play