A particulate result is only as good as the sample behind it, and a sample drawn at the wrong velocity is biased before it reaches the laboratory. This practical course covers aerosol behaviour, isokinetic principles, nozzle selection, sampling train assembly, the calculations and the calibration checks that make a result defensible. Delegates work through equipment, worked calculations and a full sampling exercise from plan to report.
Ready to book? Secure your place on this programme.
Register for this course| Module | Topic | Main competency |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Introduction to aerosols and particulate matter | Understanding what is being sampled |
| 02 | Fundamentals of particle and aerosol sampling | A defensible sampling strategy |
| 03 | Principles of isokinetic sampling | Recognising and avoiding aspiration bias |
| 04 | Sampling equipment and sampling trains | Correct equipment selection and assembly |
| 05 | Sampling calculations | Flow rate, volume and concentration calculated correctly |
| 06 | Practical sampling procedures | Sampling carried out to procedure in the field |
| 07 | Aerosol and particulate measurement techniques | Choosing the right measurement method |
| 08 | Calibration and quality assurance | Results that survive an audit |
| 09 | Common sampling errors and troubleshooting | Diagnosing a sampling problem |
| 10 | Data analysis and interpretation | Turning field data into a defensible result |
| 11 | Health, safety and field considerations | Working safely around industrial processes |
| 12 | Practical exercise and case study | The whole method applied end to end |
Each training day runs 08:30 to 16:30 with morning and afternoon breaks and a lunch break. Timings can be adjusted to suit an in house group.
| Time | Session | Key topics | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08:30 to 09:00 | Registration and introduction | Introductions, expectations, course overview, delegate sampling experience and monitoring objectives | Delegate introductions |
| 09:00 to 10:15 | Module 1: aerosols and particulate matter | Fundamentals of aerosols; definition and classification of particulate matter; sources of airborne particles; particle size and aerodynamic diameter; particle density and shape; particle transport, behaviour and deposition; workplace and environmental exposure considerations | Discussion of the particle sources in the delegates' own operations |
| 10:15 to 10:30 | Tea break | ||
| 10:30 to 11:45 | Module 2: fundamentals of particle and aerosol sampling | Objectives of aerosol sampling; representative sampling principles; sampling strategy and planning; personal and area sampling; sampling locations; sampling duration and frequency; total particulate sampling; size selective sampling; inhalable, thoracic and respirable fractions | Exercise: choose a sampling strategy for a stated objective |
| 11:45 to 12:30 | Module 3: principles of isokinetic sampling | Definition of isokinetic sampling; why representative sampling matters; sampling velocity against gas stream velocity; isokinetic conditions | Demonstration of the velocity relationship |
| 12:30 to 13:15 | Lunch | ||
| 13:15 to 14:30 | Module 3 continued: bias, probes and nozzles | Sub isokinetic sampling; super isokinetic sampling; particle aspiration and sampling bias; sampling probe orientation; nozzle selection and positioning; the factors affecting isokinetic sampling accuracy | Worked examples showing the direction and size of the bias |
| 14:30 to 15:15 | Module 4: sampling equipment | Sampling probes; sampling nozzles; filters and filter holders; sampling heads; pumps and flow controllers; flow meters; cyclones; impactors; tubing and connectors; moisture traps; calibration equipment | Equipment familiarisation |
| 15:15 to 15:30 | Tea break | ||
| 15:30 to 16:30 | Module 4 continued: sampling train configuration | Configuring a sampling train for the objective; matching components; the order of the train; what each component contributes and what it can cost you if it is wrong | Exercise: configure a sampling train from a component set |
| 16:30 to 16:45 | Day one review | Key learning points, questions and discussion | Facilitated review |
What you take away from day 1
| Time | Session | Key topics | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08:30 to 09:00 | Day one recap | Review of aerosol behaviour, sampling strategy, isokinetic principles and the train | Question and answer session |
| 09:00 to 10:15 | Module 5: sampling calculations | Sampling flow rate calculations; sampling velocity; gas stream velocity; nozzle diameter selection; sampling volume; temperature and pressure corrections | Worked calculations |
| 10:15 to 10:30 | Tea break | ||
| 10:30 to 11:45 | Module 5 continued: concentration and isokinetic calculations | Particulate concentration calculations; isokinetic sampling calculations; checking a calculation for reasonableness; worked calculation exercises | Exercise: calculate nozzle size, flow rate and concentration for a given stream |
| 11:45 to 12:30 | Module 6: practical sampling procedures | Equipment inspection and preparation; sampling train assembly; leak checking; equipment calibration; selecting the appropriate nozzle | Practical demonstration |
| 12:30 to 13:15 | Lunch | ||
| 13:15 to 14:30 | Module 6 continued: running the sample | Establishing sampling conditions; probe positioning; maintaining isokinetic conditions; sample collection; post sampling inspection; sample recovery; sample identification and documentation | Practical sampling run |
| 14:30 to 15:15 | Module 7: measurement techniques | Gravimetric sampling; filter based sampling; size selective sampling; cyclone sampling; impactor sampling; optical particle measurement; real time aerosol monitoring; particle counters; photometric measurement; the advantages and limits of each | Comparing methods against a stated objective |
| 15:15 to 15:30 | Tea break | ||
| 15:30 to 16:30 | Module 8: calibration and quality assurance | Calibration before and after sampling; flow rate verification; equipment inspection; field blanks; sample blanks; duplicate samples; sample identification; chain of custody; sample preservation; data quality requirements; sampling documentation | Building a quality assurance checklist |
| 16:30 to 16:45 | Day two review | Key learning points, questions and discussion | Facilitated review |
What you take away from day 2
| Time | Session | Key topics | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08:30 to 09:00 | Day two recap | Review of the calculations, the field procedure and the quality assurance set | Question and answer session |
| 09:00 to 10:15 | Module 9: common sampling errors and troubleshooting | Incorrect nozzle selection; incorrect sampling velocity; incorrect probe positioning; failure to maintain isokinetic conditions; sampling train leaks; incorrect flow rate measurement; filter overloading; moisture interference; particle losses; sample contamination; incorrect sample handling; inadequate documentation | Troubleshooting exercise on a set of failed sampling runs |
| 10:15 to 10:30 | Tea break | ||
| 10:30 to 11:30 | Module 10: data analysis and interpretation | Reviewing sampling data; calculating sampled air volume; reviewing calibration information; identifying questionable results; evaluating data quality | Reviewing a sampling data set for quality |
| 11:30 to 12:30 | Module 10 continued: concentration and reporting | Calculating particulate concentration; interpreting sampling results; comparing results against applicable criteria; preparing technical sampling reports | Drafting the results section of a sampling report |
| 12:30 to 13:15 | Lunch | ||
| 13:15 to 14:00 | Module 11: health, safety and field considerations | Field risk assessment; personal protective equipment; safe sampling practices; working around industrial processes; chemical and particulate exposure; hot surfaces and process hazards; electrical safety; equipment handling; emergency procedures | Field risk assessment for a sampling location |
| 14:00 to 15:00 | Module 12: practical sampling exercise | Sampling plan preparation; equipment selection; sampling train assembly; calibration; isokinetic calculations; sampling point selection; the sampling procedure; sample recovery | Full practical sampling exercise |
| 15:00 to 15:15 | Tea break | ||
| 15:15 to 16:15 | Module 12 continued: analysis and reporting | Data analysis; particulate concentration calculations; interpretation of the results; preparation of the sampling report | Producing the sampling report from the exercise |
| 16:15 to 16:45 | Course review, assessment and close | Review of the key concepts, final assessment, course feedback and key takeaways | Final assessment and close |
What you take away from day 3
On successful completion of the course, delegates will be able to:
This course suits environmental scientists, industrial hygienists and occupational health and safety professionals, air quality specialists and environmental monitoring personnel, laboratory analysts, technicians and sampling technicians, process and chemical engineers, health safety and environment professionals, emissions monitoring personnel, quality control and quality assurance staff, and consultants working in air quality and particulate monitoring. It is written for anyone responsible for workplace exposure or environmental sampling who needs the result to stand up to scrutiny.
Recommended entry level
Delegates should work in sampling, monitoring, laboratory or process roles, or be preparing to take on sampling responsibilities. Comfort with basic arithmetic and unit conversion is needed, because the calculation modules are worked by hand. No prior isokinetic sampling experience is assumed, and delegates who bring their own equipment specifications and monitoring objectives get the most from the practical sessions.
The programme is run as practical, competency based training rather than a series of presentations, so delegates rehearse the supervisory tasks they are expected to perform on their own sites. Methods used include:
Formative assessment
Practical assessment
Final assessment
Certification
| Dates | Venue | Days | Fee | Calendar | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Sep to 2 Oct 2026 | Mauritius | 3 | US$1,500 | Register | |
| 12 to 14 Oct 2026 | Dubai | 3 | US$1,500 | Register | |
| 20 to 22 Oct 2026 | Online | 3 | US$900 | Register | |
| 2 to 4 Nov 2026 | Johannesburg | 3 | R13,000 | Register | |
| 10 to 12 Nov 2026 | Cape Town | 3 | R13,000 | Register | |
| 18 to 20 Nov 2026 | Durban | 3 | R13,000 | Register | |
| 30 Nov to 2 Dec 2026 | Pretoria | 3 | R13,000 | Register | |
| 9 to 11 Dec 2026 | Windhoek | 3 | US$1,500 | Register | |
| 18 to 20 Jan 2027 | Gaborone | 3 | US$1,500 | Register | |
| 26 to 28 Jan 2027 | Maseru | 3 | US$1,500 | Register | |
| 3 to 5 Feb 2027 | Mbabane | 3 | US$1,500 | Register | |
| 16 to 18 Feb 2027 | Lusaka | 3 | US$1,500 | Register | |
| 24 to 26 Feb 2027 | Harare | 3 | US$1,500 | Register | |
| 8 to 10 Mar 2027 | Lilongwe | 3 | US$1,500 | Register | |
| 16 to 18 Mar 2027 | Blantyre | 3 | US$1,500 | Register | |
| 5 to 7 Apr 2027 | Mozambique | 3 | US$1,500 | Register | |
| 13 to 15 Apr 2027 | Nairobi | 3 | US$1,500 | Register | |
| 21 to 23 Apr 2027 | Dar es Salaam | 3 | US$1,500 | Register | |
| 5 to 7 May 2027 | Kigali | 3 | US$1,500 | Register | |
| 18 to 20 May 2027 | Kampala | 3 | US$1,500 | Register | |
| 26 to 28 May 2027 | Accra | 3 | US$1,500 | Register | |
| 7 to 9 Jun 2027 | Lagos | 3 | US$1,500 | Register | |
| 22 to 24 Jun 2027 | Cairo | 3 | US$1,500 | Register |
Fees are per delegate. South African venues are priced in rand; other locations and online in US dollars. Fees exclude 15% VAT where applicable. Group bookings of three or more delegates from the same organisation qualify for a reduced rate; contact us for a quotation.
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