INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION 53
GAS DETECTION
C
hoosing a fixed gas detection system
amounts to far more than the health and
safety risk assessment might dictate.
There are a multitude of manufacturers offering
equipment that is capable of detecting toxic or
flammable gases and vapours, and it can be very
tempting to select a system based on the lowest
price offered. However, in addition to the front
end installation costs and the initial purchase price
of the hardware itself, users and operators of fixed
gas detection systems must, and increasingly do,
consider a host of other issues. These should
include the lifetime ownership costs of the system
as well as on-going maintenance and, of course,
ease of use.
Where the detection of toxic gases or oxygen
depletion are concerned, traditional small and
mass produced electrochemical sensors have been
eclipsed by larger, intelligent sensors. Featuring an
EPROM memory which stores calibration informa-
tion as well as gas data, such as target gas and
range, these types of sensor are able to com-
municate with the transmitter. This built-in intelli-
gence also includes temperature and pressure
compensation which not only leads to higher
accuracy but it also extends calibration intervals to
just once a year. In addition, their large size gives
dramatically improved longevity which, in turn,
means that fewer replacement sensors are
required and, as a result, the lifetime costs of the
system are significantly reduced. They also offer
better flexibility in terms of selectable response
times, ppb (parts per billion) test rates and are
available with a variety of mounting capabilities.
The use of these sensors is also easy. For
instance, as the gas data is stored within the
sensor itself and the sensors are received from the
manufacturer pre-calibrated, they no longer have
to be calibrated in the transmitter. Also, because
of the plug-in construction, the sensor offers true
"plug-and-play" functionality and, once installed
in the transmitter, the EPROM communicates
with the transmitter without the need for further
intervention or calibration by the operator.
Advances in technology and better manufactur-
ing techniques have also meant that the detection
of flammable gases and vapours has improved,
with traditional pellistor or catalytic bead detectors
By Steve Robinson
Sales and Marketing,
Draeger Safety Gas
Detection Systems
Safety in Gas
Detection
� more than money can buy
Steve Robinson, Sales and Marketing, Draeger Safety Gas Detection Systems
explains
Draeger Open Path
Pulsar 2

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