About Point-Gas Detection Technology
Understanding point gas detection technologies for your hazardous gas monitoring needs.
Fixed gas detection systems are used to detect leaks and inadvertent releases of combustible and toxic gases, often in enclosed locations Point gas detectors and transmitters are permanently mounted and hard wired in areas to provide protection of assets & people working in areas where there is a potential for gas leaks to occur. They typically communicate to higher level systems such as PLC or DCS systems that control warning and alarm systems in the event of a gas leak.
Why are combustible gas detectors installed?
Safety – To provide warning to people in areas where toxic or combustible gas levels can occur so executive action can be taken
Asset Protection – To shut down a process when the combustible level reaches alarm levels to avoid explosions and damage to assets
Insurance Compliance – Insurance companies may insist on having the detectors in order to operate the facility
Toxic gas detectors, detect toxic gas leaks and initiate an alarm signal to give warnings or allow shutdown of equipment before the atmosphere gets to a harmful level.
The measurements most often used for the concentration of toxic gases are parts per million (ppm) and parts per billion (ppb).
Three factors are always needed to cause combustion:
There is a limited band of gas/air concentration which will produce a combustible mixture. This band is specific for each gas and vapor and is bounded by an upper level, known as the Upper Explosive Limit (or the UEL) and a lower level, called the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL).
For fire protection, the goal is to remove at least one of these three potentially hazardous items