How many times should you check the alarm during the preparation of a direct reading instrument?

The correct answer involves checking the alarm after inspecting the physical condition of the direct reading instrument. This step is crucial because it ensures that the instrument is functioning properly and that all alarms are operational before it is used in the field. By checking the alarm after inspecting the physical condition, you can verify that the device not only is intact but also capable of alerting you to hazardous conditions.

Ensuring the alarm is functional plays a critical role in safety during hazardous materials response operations. If the alarm is not working correctly, it may fail to alert the technician to dangerous levels of hazardous substances, which could lead to serious consequences.

The other stages of preparation are also significant, but they do not focus specifically on confirming alarm functionality after assessing the instrument's physical state. For instance, calibration is important, but it is a separate process aimed at ensuring the instrument provides accurate readings rather than confirming that alarms are operational. Therefore, the highlighted sequence of checking the alarm after physical inspection ensures comprehensive readiness before deployment.