Field Environmental Instruments (FEI) offers this resource guide as an overview of the equipment, supplies and safety gear utilized in vapor intrusion and soil-vaporsampling events.
Please contact FEI staff for additional instrument specification or application assistance as it relates to specific project requirements or site conditions.
Necessary Equipment and Supplies
Monitoring & Sample Point Installation: The chosen installation method should be determined from on-site characteristics, overall monitoring period and required sampling data.
Leak Detection: Testing for leaks ensures the collect sample’s integrity.
Analytical Sample Collection: If field tests determine lab testing is necessary, vacuum chambers can be used to collect samples.
Field Screening: Use of direct-read instruments can determine if collected samples require further laboratory testing.
Vapor Point Installation:
See References (pg. 11) 1 2 3 4 5 6
Drill a small diameter hole into the foundation of the monitoring site and place a vapor pin inside. This will become your vapor point in which your helium shroud will surround and be connected to.
Helium Shroud Set-up:
Place the helium shroud over the vapor point connecting the line of tubing from the shroud to it. The helium gas and fixed-flow regulator will connect to the tubing in-line with the helium port. Connect tubing from the sample port to the three-way valve that will be used to check for leaks with the helium tracer gas as well as to collect your sample.
Leak Check:
Seal the helium shroud base with modeling clay to create a proper seal between atmospheric air and the vapor point. Introduce tracer helium gas to the shroud with the fixed-flow regulator. Use helium detector to check for leaks around the base of the helium shroud. Also, apply the helium detector to one end of the three-way valve (ensure three-way valve is positioned correctly) connected to the sample port to ensure helium is not detected in the sample line connected to the vapor point. Disconnect helium gas and purge the shroud after leak check completion. Purge sample line with a syringe or pump connected to a vacuum chamber to ensure the sample line is free from water or interference.
Shut-in Test (if using a Summa Cannister):
Connect the sample train to the sample port to perform the shut-in test. Ensure all fittings are tight and there are no leaks between the cannister and regulator. Negative pressure must be achieved from the regulator for at least one minute. Take note that requirements of the negative pressure that is achieved for one minute change per state. Three volumes of air must be purged before collecting your sample.
Sample Collection:
Once the sample line is purged and contains no leaks, the sample can be collected in the tedlar bag inside the vacuum chamber with a pump. Once the bag is filled your sample collection is complete.
Field Screening:
Use a field screening device to detect VOCs or other contaminants of concern from the tedlar bag sample
Helium Shroud Options
Helium Shroud
Shroud - (1.5 qt Stainless Steel Bowl)
Shroud - (4 qt Stainless Steel Bowl)
Shroud - (6 qt Stainless Steel Bowl)
Helium Shroud - (8 qt Stainless Steel Bowl)
3-Way Valve Fitting
Disconnect Fittings
Monitoring & Sample Point Installation
Solinst 615 Drive Point Piezometer
The Solinst Model 615 Drive-Point Piezometer is designed as an affordable method to monitor shallow groundwater and soil vapor in suitable conditions. Solinst Drive-Point Piezometers can be driven into suitable soils up to 20 to 25 feet (6-7 meters) with any direct push or drilling technology. To avoid clogging or smearing of the screen during installation, a shielded version is also available.
FEI Catalog ID’s
615 c/w 1/2” barb (ID: 04752)
615N no barb (ID: 07484)
615C w/ 1/4” Compression (ID: 11458)
615S Shielded c/w barb (ID: 11460)
615SN Shielded no barb (ID: 07485)
Accessories
3’ Extensions (ID: 04755)
SS Coupling (ID: 04756)
Delrin NPT Cap (ID: 13763)
Tubing Bypass (ID: 11474)
Drive Head Assembly (ID: 20407)
Slide Hammer (ID: 12405)
Vapor Pin® (Suggested for indoor use)
Vapor Pins® allow for simple one-point sampling. Vapor Pins are reusable for multiple samples. Simply drill a 5/8” hole into the ground and place the Vapor Pin inside with a connected line of tubing to begin sampling.
Gas Vapor Probe Dedicated Tips are installed as long-term sampling points or left in the ground as expendable points. Soil gas monitoring with the Dedicated Gas Vapor Tip is easily accomplished using a Slide Hammer or Electric Rotary Hammer Drill with GVP Drive Extensions, and an Extension Drive Adapter.
FEI Catalog ID’s
GVP Dedicated Probe Tip and Umbrella (ID:4209)
GVP Screens (ID: 5509)
AMS Sampling Kit
The AMS Sampling Kit allows for drilling of small diameter holes for vapor point installation. The kit includes extensions, flighted auger poles, slide hammer, and flighted auger tips to create your vapor point hole. The slide hammer can be used for soil sampling tip installation.
Leak Detection
Ion Science Panther Pro
The Ion Science Panther is a high-sensitivity, handheld helium and hydrogen leak detector using a thermal conductivity sensor. It is designed to detect trace levels of helium gas in air and is ideal for leak testing in vapor intrusion investigations, where helium is used as a tracer gas.
FEI Catalog ID’s
FEI Catalog ID’s
Calibration & Accessories
Male Demand Flow Regulator (ID:14407)
Male Regulator (ID: 00451)
Calibration Helium 0.50% 103L (ID: 12101)
Tracer Helium 99.99% 103L (ID: 10709)
Ion Science GasCheck G2
The GasCheck G2 is a thermal conductivity gas leak detector manufactured by Ion Science, specifically tuned to detect gases like helium, hydrogen, and refrigerants. It is widely used in field conditions for helium leak detection during soil vapor sampling QA/QC procedures.
Calibration & Accessories
Demand Flow Regulator (ID:14407)
Male Regulator (ID: 00451)
Calibration Helium 0.50% 103L (ID: 12101)
Tracer Helium 99.99% 103L (ID: 10709)
Dielectric Helium Leak Detector
Dielectric helium detectors (often used in HVAC or industrial gas testing) operate using thermal conductivity. For environmental use, Dielectric offers helium detectors sensitive enough for soil vapor leak testing during tracer gas (helium) deployment.
FEI Catalog ID’s
Calibration & Accessories
Demand Flow Regulator (ID:14407)
Male Regulator (ID: 00451)
Calibration Helium 0.50% 103L (ID: 12101)
Tracer Helium 99.99% 103L (ID: 10709)
Ion Science Panther Pro Helium Gas Leak Detector (ID: 25551)
Ion Science GasCheck G2 Helium Leak Detector (ID: 07491)
The Xitech High Vacuum Air Sampler is a portable, rugged, high-vacuum pump system designed specifically for collecting soil vapor, sub-slab, and indoor air samples in environmental investigations. It provides precise control over vacuum pressure and flow, which is essential for ensuring sample integrity during VOC analysis
FEI Catalog ID’s
SKC Vac-U-Chamber
The SKC Vac-U-Chamber is a passive sampling isolation device designed to allow accurate and secure sample collection It’s commonly used during soil vapor, subslab, or indoor air sampling to prevent direct contact between the sample media and the sampling pump, ensuring sample integrity and avoiding contamination.
FEI Catalog ID’s
The Apex2 is a personal air sampling pump designed to draw air at controlled flow rates to assist in soil vapor sample collection when paired with a vacuum chamber. In this setup, the pump does not contact the soil vapor directly. Instead, it applies vacuum to the outside of a sealed canister housed in the chamber, drawing air into the canister through natural vacuum differential—ensuring zero pump contamination risk critical for VOC analysis.
FEI Catalog ID’s
Casella Apex 2 IS Plus Gilian GilAir Plus
The GilAir Plus is a high-precision personal air sampling pump used for soil vapor sampling using a vacuum chamber. In this setup, the GilAir Plus does not contact the sampled vapor directly. Instead, it is used to apply vacuum to the chamber surrounding a canister, which enables the sample to be drawn into the canister via pressure differential, protecting the sample from contamination.
FEI Catalog ID’s
Xitech High Vacuum Air Sampler (ID:16281)
Vacuum Chamber SKC (1 Liter) (ID: 1493)
Casella - Apex 2 IS Plus Sampling Pump (1000-5000mL/min) (ID: 15921)
Gilian - GilAir Plus Personal Air Sampling Pump (ID: 25773)
Field Screening
RAE Systems MiniRAE 3000
The MiniRAE 3000 by RAE Systems is a photoionization detector (PID) used for detecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air. It is commonly used for real-time field screening of soil vapor to rapidly assess VOC presence and concentration ranges in ppm.
Catalog ID’s
Calibration & Accessories
10.6 eV Lamp (ID: 06206)
11.7 eV Lamp (ID: 06456)
Catalog ID’s
Female Regulator (ID: 00450)
Female Demand Flow Regulator (ID: 14408)
Isobutylene 100 ppm 17L (ID: 00034)
Isobutylene 10 ppm 17L (ID: 01693)
Zero Air 17L (ID: 00043)
Trap Filter (ID: 12988)
Water Trap Filter w/ Connector (ID: 02609)
Thermo Scientific™ TVA 2020
The Thermo Scientific TVA 2020 is a dual-sensor FID/PID portable analyzer designed for total VOC quantification in air. It’s used extensively in compliance monitoring (e.g., Method 21), but it also functions well in soil vapor screening during environmental fieldwork.
Calibration & Accessories
Female Regulator (ID: 00450)
Female Demand Flow Regulator (ID: 14408)
Isobutylene 100 ppm 17L (ID: 00034)
Zero Air 17L (ID: 00043)
Methane 17L 500 ppm (ID: 01691)
FROG 5000™
Fuel Disposable Tank 680L (ID: 08210)
Spare H2 Tank (ID: 13545)
Carbon Tip Filter (ID: 00404)
The FROG-5000 is a portable field gas chromatograph (GC) with PID detection, capable of separating and quantifying specific VOCs in real time. Unlike PIDs or FIDs that report total VOCs, the FROG provides compound-specific results, similar to lab analysis.
FROG-5000™ Gas Chromatograph Platform w/ Air Sampler (ID: 24499)
Hydrogen
Water
Disposable Supplies
Tubing
Field Environmental provides a variety of tubing in various types and sizes custom cut for all of your vapor intrusion monitoring needs.
Tubing Types
Teflon-lined Pseudocone
Tedlar Bags
Used to collect grab samples of air or vapor for analysis of VOCs, fixed gases, or general chemical composition. In soil vapor sampling, Tedlar bags can be used as a cost-effective alternative to Summa canisters for screening-level or qualitative assessments.
FEI Catalog ID’s
Single Fitting, 2 mil, 1L Vol. (ID:155)
Single Fitting, 2 mil, 1L Vol. (10 pack) (ID:204)
Single Fitting, 2mil, 10L Vol. (ID:8413)
Single Fitting, 2mil, 10L Vol. (10 pack) (ID:16816)
Nitrile Gloves
FEI supplies high-quality nitrile gloves to support environmental fieldwork, including soil vapor sampling, groundwater sampling, and surface soil investigations. Nitrile gloves are an essential part of field PPE, providing chemical resistance, durability, and sample integrity protection.
FEI Catalog ID’s
Light Blue Powder-free (3-4 mil) M (ID:23627) L (ID:22327) XL (ID: 22328)
Sempermed Black Powder-free (5 mil) M (ID: 20412) L (ID: 17026) XL (ID: 17027) XXL (ID: 17028)
Sempermed SemperShield Royal Blue, Powder-free (6 mil) L (ID: 19061) XL (ID: 19062)
Decontamination Supplies
FEI also offers a comprehensive range of decontamination supplies to support clean sampling procedures and avoid cross-contamination between locations or media types. These supplies are suitable for both standard environmental sampling and soil vapor sampling protocols.
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Standard Operating Procedure for the Collection of Soil Gas Samples from Temporary and Permanent Soil Gas Probes using SUMMA Canisters and a Helium Leak Check:
https://semspub.epa.gov/work/09/1119874.pdf
Standard Operating Procedure - Helium Leak testing of Installed Soil Gas Vapor Probes (SOP: ERT-PROC-2104-23):
