Understanding the practicalities of using gas detectors in confined spaces BOHS Wednesday 28 th February 2018 SCI Society Of Chemical Industry, Knightsbridge, London Leigh Greenham BSc CEng MIET Electromagnolia Ltd & CoGDEM
Today s presentation legislation and guidance choice of instruments differences between personal and portable gas detectors new developments technicalities further guidance
CoGDEM Council of Gas Detection and Environmental Monitoring Founded in 1974, around 60 member companies Members are manufacturers and service providers in the field of gas detection HSE/HSL are guest members Protecting everything from the smallest bedsit to the largest offshore oil or gas platform Key role in writing standards co-author of the latest version of BOHS TG15 (Direct Reading Devices for Airborne Chemical Contaminants) freephone helpline for users 0800 1694 457
Standards, regulations and guidance HSW Act COSHH EH40 Confined Space Regulations ATEX (hazardous area ignition protection) Gas Detector Performance standards BOHS TG 15 (includes data on EN 689 and EN 482) industry-specific guidance (e.g. CoGDEM Guide to Gas Detection, BCGA GN11)
EH 40
Oct 2007, new limits for: bromine pentane phosphine chlorine toluene
But where are? NO NO 2 SO 2 Makes life difficult for instrument manufacturers and users
21 Aug 2018? potential new lower limits for: NO (2 ppm only) NO 2 (0.5 & 1 ppm) SO 2 (0.5 & 1 ppm) CO (20 & 100 ppm) HCN (0.9 & 4.5 ppm) Consultation closed on 2/2/18
Choice of gas detection instruments Personal Portable Transportable Fixed
Typically:- Personal gas detectors small, can be lapel-mounted single toxic gas or oxygen one or two year life sealed for life battery limited display no pump option limited datalogging inexpensive, starting ~ 90
Personal gas detectors But also:- no servicing no calibration no battery charging Does that mean no testing?
Personal gas detectors BS EN 60079-29-2 and BS EN 45544 states that for any portable flammable gas, oxygen or toxic gas detection instrument:- Inspection and functional checks are intended to verify that the equipment is in a working state. It is recommended that they are done by personnel actually operating the equipment, and is strongly recommended that they are performed before each day of use, particularly if the equipment has catalytic, electrochemical, or semiconductor sensors and is being used under arduous conditions.
Portable gas detectors
Diffusion vs sampling appropriateness may avoid need for confined space entry drop-line or sampling hose? manual aspiration or pumped?
Types of readings spot check snapshot (consider response time) trend analysis (approaching an alarm condition) time weighted average (to check compliance) peak monitoring (risk assessment)
Calibration vs gas-testing frequency need for traceability accuracy of calibration gas or test gas training and competency automated docking stations
Development of portable/personal gas detectors improvements in instrument performance PID toxic gas sensing techniques wider range of toxic gases detectable infrared sensors for flammable gas & CO2 HSW Act and CSE often defines a market need & drives the need for sensor development longer battery life comms capabilities
PID basics correction factor tables for over 350 compounds instruments often have built-in corrections for: benzene, toluene, ethylene, acetone, styrene, isopropanol, ethyl acetate typically calibrated to 100 ppm isobutylene
What type of instrument is this?
What type of instrument is this? Trick question!
Bump Test DualSense Technology Increases Gas Detector Reliability Monthly 1 in 286* Sensor Failure Rate 1 in 21,320* Failure 74 times less likely Daily 1 in 1,265* Monitor Single sensor inst. 1 in 116,257* Dual sensor inst Failure 92 times less likely *Analysis is based on over 2.2 million bump tests and over 100,000 unique sensors logged in inet.
V16:9 T4 Features IP 65/67 Integral Rubber Boot Extremely rugged +ve Safety Visual Alarm Bars Vibrate Alarm Data & Event Logging 4 Sensors for 4 Gases External Filter Plate TWA Resume* prevents overexposure to toxic gases Clear screen with 180 flip for easy viewing 18 Hour Run Time 5.5 hour recharge Multi Region Power Supply 95 db Alarm One Button Operation Cradle Charger * Patent pending UK patent application number 1501699.1 Light weight (280g) Copyright All Rights Reserved Crowcon Detection Instruments Ltd. (~ 400)
V16:9 Gas-Pro Overview Gas-Pro Features Measure up to 5 gases Optional pump up to 30 metre (100 feet) sampling Pre-Entry Check function +ve Safety for full unit compliance Full data/event logging for record keeping User definable, set up to site requirements Robust unit for harsh environments IP65 & IP67* One button for ease of use Top mount display for quick decision making Multiple charging options Easy test solutions for bump and calibration *IP66 PID Unit 23 (~ 1250 for 5-gas version with PID) Copyright All Rights Reserved Crowcon Detection Instruments Ltd.
V16:9 Gas-Pro Overview Gas-Pro Options Oxygen Toxic (Electrochemical) Flammable (Pellistor) Flammable (IR) Carbon dioxide (IR) VOC (PID) Flammable Calibrations: 24 Copyright All Rights Reserved Crowcon Detection Instruments Ltd.
BLACKLINE SAFETY G7 Works out of the box, 3G cellular and satellite Gas detection, falls, no-motion, checkins, SOS Real-time alerting for instant awareness Two-way voice and text messaging Mass notification to individuals or groups Live evacuation management Satisfies needs of lone workers Monitored via easy web-based software Emergency response management tools
LOCATION TECHNOLOGY Delivering help to an employee requires accurate knowledge of his/her location Multiple location technologies: Assisted-GPS for outdoor location Location beacons for affordable indoor locations Often, Google Maps alone isn t enough to show an employee s location Multi-level floor plans, site plans
BLACKLINE SAFETY G7 G7 Hardware - 355.00 per device Singles Gas - 36.00 per year (any sensor that is available) Quad Gas - 108.00 per year (any sensor that is available) Service packages - Self Monitored with 2-way voice 252.00 per year, per device or Blackline monitored with 2- way voice 384.00 per year per, per device
Typical examples - Draeger
Typical examples - RAE
Typical examples - Honeywell
Typical examples - GMI
Typical examples - GfG
Typical examples - Biosystems
Typical examples - ISC
The CoGDEM Guide to Gas Detection
Selection of equipment Type of gas hazard flammable, toxic, oxygen or combination Personnel or plant protection Fixed, portable or transportable Sensor technology Detection range and alarm points
Standards Hazardous Areas (ATEX Directive, IECEx) Performance standards Functional Safety CE Marking Health & Safety Regulations Confined Spaces
Installation & Training Professional installation of fixed equipment Location of gas detectors or sampling points Training for user, maintainer, management Occasional user (e.g. contractor)
Calibration & Bump-testing Planned maintenance Regular calibration More regular bump-testing Know your test-gas supplier
Other book inclusions Chemistry of gases, units of measurement etc. Reference section Non-industrial gas hazards Data about CoGDEM
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