GAS DETECTION & MONITORING
RAISING THE ALARM
Shaun Evers, Managing Director of Stonegate Instruments, explores the impact refrigerant gas leaks can have and reveals how companies are turning to gas detection systems in an attempt to cut down on potentially harmful leaks.
Refrigerant gases are an essential component in modern day cold storage and industrial refrigeration systems, and are used across a wide range of industries.
When working in cold storage or industrial refrigeration, staff must be aware of the dangers, as well as the precautions that must be taken against potential incidents. By far the most hazardous incident would be the accidental release of refrigerant gases, which can occur through equipment failure, improper maintenance, mechanical damage, or accidental release during refrigerant replenishment.
While refrigerants are essential for keeping industrial refrigeration systems running, exposure can cause a serious threat to workers. Prolonged exposure can lead to symptoms such as irritation of the throat, eyes and skin, frostbite, and chemical burns, as well as more severe symptoms like lung and brain damage.
60% of gas leaks often occur before employees notice – with this in mind it cannot be left to staff to spot potentially dangerous leaks.
Despite increasingly stringent regulations placed on companies who use refrigerants, accidents are still common. In fact, the Carbon Trust has recorded an average annual leak rate of up to 20% in UK refrigeration systems, meaning store operators remain on the lookout for ways to ensure their employees safety. One such solution is the use of a sophisticated gas detection system.
SPOTTING SNEAKY LEAKS A gas detection system can help ensure that leaks are quickly identified and repaired at the earliest opportunity. This not only minimises the risk to the health and safety of employees, but also meets the legal requirements of the EU F-Gas Regulations.
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The legislation states that any refrigeration system with 300kg or more of refrigerants must be fitted with a leak detector. Cold stores that have a charge of 3-30kg are required to be tested for gas leaks once annually and those with a charge of 30kg or more need to be tested twice a year.
Fitted gas detectors must have a sensitivity of 5g/year and should be checked after 25 hours of continuous use. They should also be calibrated with a 1,000ppm gas to air mix.
Stonegate’s DL1024 gas detection system meets these requirements and can be programmed to detect a wide range of both toxic and non-toxic gases, including HFCs, accommodating up to 24 remote refrigerant sensors. The sensors are arranged in three zones of eight channels, with four relay outputs for signalling an alarm, one for each zone.
LED colours indicate the presence and status of each sensor, and any sensed gas leak sends an audio and visual alarm to alert staff members immediately so that the problem can be quickly rectified.
Alarms can also be fitted to walk- in refrigerators to combat the risk of injury or death from accidental lock-ins. Devices, which can be door or wall mounted, can give an audible and visual alert if someone is trapped inside. These alarms often have the capability of repeating the call to a siren, dial-out, or other remote alarm, to ensure a quick release.
There are many hazards associated with working in cold storage and industrial refrigeration, but by making use of the latest technology, businesses can ensure the safety of their employees.
www.stonegate-instruments.com
www.tomorrowshs.com
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