The gas detection system has been used for many decades, and even today, it is a crucial part of plant safety for every industry. A proper gas detection system helps in safeguarding property, protecting workers, and saving many other lives.
But if a gas detection system is not installed correctly, it can never provide the expected protection against flammable gases and dangerously toxic gases. In many companies, proper installation of gas detection systems is an integral part of the policy.
So, let’s talk through the best tips you can use to install, commission, and maintain the gas detection system.
Adequate gas detection coverage
There is no specific legislation governing the gas detector location as there is in the case of a fire detection system. However, the documents containing general guidance includes;
- BS EN 50073:1999- Proper guide for maintenance, use, and installation of all the apparatus necessary to measure and detect combustion gases.
- IEC 60079-29-2 2015- Explosive atmospheres – Part 29-2: Gas detectors- Installation, maintenance, use, and selection of the specialized sensors for locating flammable gases and oxygen.
In the case of a fixed gas detector, figure out the location during the initial survey and design stage. In the case of portable gas detectors or gas monitors, this means making sure that the system is located within the breathing space of the users.
Personal area monitoring
All the portable gas detectors are subjected to highly diverse working conditions. The vast array of applications requires the solutions to be customized according to the individual’s needs.
You can evaluate any portable gas detection system between leak detection, area monitoring, personal monitoring, and confined space entry. Like in the case of personal monitoring, the gas detection system should alarm the wearer in his immediate working area. But in the case of area monitoring, it simply means monitoring a specific site for where workers are present.
Proper airflow
If gas monitors are being installed in a dock mount, it is your responsibility to ensure proper airflow in that area. Thus, it is necessary to ensure that the site doesn’t fall in the dead zone category.
With proper airflow, the gas detector system can detect any toxic gas in the new air entering the area. Maintaining adequate airflow also ensures that the gas detector system doesn’t cause false alarms since the dull airflow setting off the gas detector will not hinder the alarm system of the sensor.
Proper device calibration
Complete calibration of the gas detection system during installation is essential if you want your gas detection system to warn you against the presence of harmful gas in the air. But proper calibration during installation is not enough as you also have to schedule calibration tests for the gas detection system on an annual basis.
If the gas detection system has been exposed to adverse conditions like a drastic temperature change, you might need to check the calibration of the gas detection system more often.
Routine maintenance
Routine maintenance of a gas detection system might include bump testing, full calibration, and even general inspection of the device. Well, all these are necessary to keep the gas detection system in the right shape.
The routine maintenance system ensures that every part of the gas detection system is working fine and the sensors appropriately respond to their target gas.
Proper maintenance and routine check-up of your gas detection system is the only way you can keep the people around you safe from any gas hazard. So, incorporate the strategies mentioned in this blog post and provide 360 protection to your people from gas hazards.