Key considerations when choosing a toxic gas detector

When it comes to the risk of exposure to toxic gases, different lines of work pose different dangers to the workers who inhabit them. Various factors like the type of job being undertaken, the environment in which they’re working in, and the level of exposure to toxic gases are all things that need to be taken into account when choosing the right method of gas detection.

Here at Gas Alarm Systems, we provide a range of products that can be programmed to suit any of your gas detection needs. We offer fixed gas detectors and portable gas detection systems which can be programmed to suit the requirements of any business. So, let’s get into a few of the key considerations that you need to keep in mind when choosing a toxic gas detector.

Assess the risk of gas

If you’re a business owner, you’ll already be aware of the importance of a risk assessment from both a general health, as well as a legal perspective. When undertaking a risk assessment, it’s important to adhere to the standards laid out by your health executive, as well as any other relevant governing health body. To give you a brief idea of the kinds of things they’ll be looking at in regards to toxic gases – the dangers they pose can be split into three categories:

Risk of fire and / or explosion from the presence of flammable gases like methane, butane, propane and so on.

Risk of poisoning/intoxication, which can come from exposure to gases such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulphide, carbon dioxide, chlorine and so on.

Risk of anoxia/hyperoxia, which can be caused by an insufficient or excessive oxygen supply.

Our gas detection systems are designed to reduce the risk posed by these dangerous gases. But, you need to keep in mind certain factors when considering where you’re going to implement them, in order to get the maximum benefits from them.

Identify your gas risks, and the locations from which they originate

The gas detection systems that we provide here at Gas Alarm Systems work by detecting the presence of a specific gas within an area, which triggers a loud audible warning before dangerous levels of gas concentration are reached. So, in order to effectively determine the relative concentration levels, the sensor or fixed gas detection system needs to be positioned near a potential source of a gas leak. When the sources of potential leaks are unknown, it’s often better to use portable gas detectors.

Generally speaking, there are a few common sources of gas leaks:

• Natural emissions such as methane and hydrogen sulphide usually come from waste decomposition sites.
• Leaks can also originate from supply pipes or natural gas storage tanks.
• Fuel burning byproducts like carbon monoxide usually come from exhaust pipes and boiler discharge pipes.
• Combustion processes in the printing and coatings industry.
• Emissions from production plants such as ammonia from a refrigeration plant or nitrogen from a nitrogen production plant.

That’s the basics pretty much covered! If you find that your company is in need of some gas detection solutions, we’re here to help. At Gas Alarm Systems, we provide both fixed gas detection systems, as well as a range of portable gas monitors to give you complete protection from asphyxiate, toxic and flammable gases. Our extensive in-house experts always take care to ensure you receive nothing short of the best service, so if you have any questions or need any advice, by all means call us on 01423 862240, and we’ll be happy to see how we can help.