INSTRUMENTATION AND LEAK DETECTION


State-of-the-art technology that ensures the safe and efficient use of HVAC and refrigeration systems is constantly being developed. Building and facilities teams now have access to innovative tools to help them meet their obligations. These technologies don’t just help with gas leaks, which are the biggest cause of energy loss, inefficient cold store performance and product degradation, but also with the detrimental effects of poor temperature control. The latest thermometers and temperature displays, for example, enable the monitoring and optimisation of refrigeration systems so that they function at the optimal temperature for the specific items they store. Should any temperature anomalies occur, the system will alert staff so that spoilage can be prevented. Open door alarms bring similar benefits.


The most advanced of these appliances are compact yet sophisticated detection systems which are designed to provide cold storage facilities with maximum storage space. These offer a valuable advantage for the 75% of warehouse operators that are concerned about the lack of available space. Innovation is also to be found in safety equipment. New gas detection systems can be configured to detect an array of both toxic and non- toxic gases, including HFCs. Audio and visual alarms


have also been developed that alert staff members to any sensed gas leak. These feature coloured LEDs that indicate the presence and status of each gas sensor, ensuring problems can be swiftly rectified. New products have also been developed to cover the A2L refrigerants in harsher environments, while the safety of staff has been improved by the development of trapped personnel alarms. HVAC systems remain one of the largest energy


consumers in many commercial facilities, making them prime targets for improving energy efficiency and reducing operating costs. Even though systems can vary, by concentrating on the most common HVAC energy wasters such as refrigerant gas leaks, temperature control and equipment management, operators can maximise energy savings and ensure energy efficiency. If sufficiently serious, those who deliberately allow a gas to escape may face a criminal prosecution instead of being ordered to pay a civil penalty. Fines of up to £100,000 apply for less serious offences, for example contravening procedures for minimising emissions or if non-certified individuals are found to be handling F-gases.


Even the most sophisticated devices on the market have a return on investment time of just two years, therefore installing technology to monitor


leaks in cold storage offers a simple yet effective solution for operators in any sector. Despite coming a long way since the early days of volatile, toxic and dangerous coolant gases, such as ammonia and methyl chloride, there are still risks present to individuals and the environment. When modern day refrigerants are managed in a controlled environment such as a closed system of tubes and coils, these gases can provide effective climate control, and when coupled with the right safety and monitoring equipment they can operate at their most efficient level. Embracing the value of technology New technologies have the potential to significantly reduce energy consumption, prevent breaches in regulatory compliance, whilst minimising carbon emissions, and more importantly, they mitigate the risk to personnel within buildings, whether it is commercial/retail property, a warehouse or a large residential complex. Today, many facilities and health and safety


managers are seeing the value in these innovative monitoring and intervention solutions. Their adoption helps companies comply with obligations to employees and residents with regards to health and safety while also providing a much-needed answer to the problem of unnecessary energy wastage.


JE Hall www.acr-news.com December 2020 29


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