1. C B R M88 Chemical Agent Alarm System
Amphibious Construction Battalion TWO C B R
M88 Chemical Agent Alarm System

2. The M88 Detector responds to
What does the M88 do?
The M88 Detector responds to
NERVE & MUSTARD
agent vapors to the lowest hazard level that could affect personnel over a short period.
The M88 is Used:
By front line troops to detect incoming chemical agents
To provide early warning to rear echelon troops
To monitor the air during decontamination operations

3. M88 Detector Components The M88 is made up of: M22 Detector Unit
M42 Remote Alarm
M28 Power Source

4. How is the M88 used?
Sample air in....
...Exhaust air out!
HONK!!

5. Deploying the M88 …
M22
M-42
150M
300M max
WIND
...M-42 alarms can be a max distance of 400M from the M-22

6. Reading the Display “Wait” light, shows when the
unit is doing self-test
Nerve agent bar graph
(bars will show “yellow”)
Alarm light, shows when bar
graph exceeds 3 or more
Blister agent bar graph
(bars will show “yellow”)
Sampling light, shows when
unit is actively sampling air

7. Start-up & Self Test All indicators light for 1 sec. Then extinguish
All bars light on the “G” bar graph
All bars light on the “H” bar graph
“S” sampling light will turn on
“ALARM” light will turn on
Bars G1 and H8 and the G8 and H1 will alternately light for 10 seconds
M88 audible alarm will sound
M42 alarms (if connected) will sound
HONK!!
The “W” WAIT light will turn on
The “W” will go out and the “S” will go on, indicating that it is now sampling
The “W” light will remain on for a min. of 2 minutes
All indicator lights will extinguish after about 5 seconds

8. The Confidence Test
THE UNIT MUST OPERATE 5 MINUTES WITH THE“S” LIGHT ON BEFORE PERFORMING THE CONFIDENCE TEST!
Verify that the “S” light is on, and put the “G” stimulant in contact with the vapor inlet
HOLD FOR NO MORE THAN 1 SECOND
Remove the stimulant and verify that 3 or more bars in the “G” bar graph are shown
If less than 3 bars are shown, wait 5 minutes and re-perform the test
Repeat the procedure for the “H” sample after the “G” test clears

9. Interference
When operational (the green “S” light is on), the unit will detect:
- GA (nerve agent Tabun) - GB (nerve agent Sarin)
- GD (nerve agent Soman) - VX (persistent nerve agent)
- HD (Distilled mustard) - L (mustard agent Lewisite)
It will ALSO DETECT:
- JP8 Fuel - Brake Fluid
- AFFF - Malathion Insecticide
- Ben Gay - Tear Gas
- Oil of wintergreen (Life Saver’s!)

10. Shutdown Procedures
The M88 can be shut down while still showing bars in the G or H bar graphs
If time allows, let the unit run until clear (shows 1 or no bars on the graph)
Turn the power knob to “0”
Re-install the protective caps