GAS DETECTION 31


time weighted average. In the past, instances where staff have not been adequately protected have resulted in legal action against NHS Trusts.


Clearly, traces of hydrogen peroxide must be removed before staff and patients are allowed to re-enter a treated room, and this is the second reason for monitoring – to protect health and safety. Garry says: “It is not uncommon for decontamination equipment manufacturers to connect our sensors to traffic light warning systems that provide a visual indication of when an area is safe for re-entry.”


Monitoring technology


With a focus on instrumentation for monitoring disinfection in air and liquids, Garry Tabor reports a doubling of turnover during the pandemic. The company’s electrochemical sensors are made in small batches by hand in its Pennsylvania factory, which has been designated part of the State’s critical supply chain. In response to the emergency, the factory has been operating 16 hours/day, 6 days/week.


Nemesis eH2


O broad-spectrum 6-log disinfectant complies with European Biocidal Products Regulations


disinfectant, Nemesis eH2 O, is fully compliant with European


Biocidal Products Regulations and has been independently tested with proven 6-log efficacy against dangerous pathogens, including enveloped viruses (Coronaviruses are enveloped viruses), as well as C Difficile, which is an important cause of HAIs that many disinfectants do not kill. This is why further regulation will be necessary to raise standards – during and after a pandemic.”


Why monitor Hydrogen Peroxide


In order to be effective at delivering a 6-log kill, the concentration of vapour has to be maintained above a certain level for a specific period of time. However, there are a number of variables – the level of microorganism kill required, the type of room, and surfaces within it. In addition, both temperature and humidity affect the activity of hydrogen peroxide.


The toxicity of hydrogen peroxide is due to the oxidation of proteins, membrane lipids and DNA by the peroxide ions. Inhalation causes irritation to the respiratory tract. In very severe cases bronchitis or pulmonary oedema may occur, which can be fatal. Contact with the skin causes bleaching and possibly permanent scarring. Ingestion results in abdominal pain, foaming at the mouth, vomiting, fever, lethargy unconsciousness and in severe cases, can result in death. In the UK, the Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) for airborne hydrogen peroxide is just 1ppm as an 8-hour time weighted average and just 2ppm as a 15-minute


The hydrogen peroxide sensors are factory calibrated using hydrogen peroxide vapour, and rather than re-calibrate with a toxic surrogate span gas, these low cost sensors are simply replaced every year.


As outlined earlier, fogging systems need to be able to monitor high levels of hydrogen peroxide to check efficacy, but also to check at very low levels to allow safe return to a treated room. Individual sensors would not be able to function satisfactorily across such a broad dynamic range, so these devices are generally fitted with two sensors; a high-range version and a low-range. Portable versions of the same monitoring technology (as recently demonstrated on the BBC’s ‘One Show’) can be employed to assist with safety checks, and permanent monitors can be installed in rooms that are frequently decontaminated with hydrogen peroxide.


Looking forward


Are there lessons that can be learned from the pandemic? Garry Tabor believes that more organisations will implement Business Continuity planning – identifying all the major risks that potentially affect them, and documenting appropriate mitigation procedures. From an instrumentation perspective, he also believes that current and emerging developments will help protect assets and society better in the future. “In the age of Big Data, there is concern with the possibility of being a ‘DRIP’ (Data Rich and Information Poor) organisation. Data collection should focus on issues that matter, so that the results of monitoring can deliver useful insights.


“IoT sensors are becoming increasingly common and this is delivering the significant advantages that can be gained from networks of smart sensors. For example, the latest smart sensors


ATi UK’s Isomon dual channel gas detection system


can operate independently of localised data storage, and are able to not only communicate live data, but also supply metadata indicating whether they are in calibration and operating as normal. The main advantage, however, is speed – when a sensor detects a problem it can immediately alert the right people, which enables prompt effective action.


“By operating networks, users benefit from the ‘Power of Pattern’ which means if one sensor is showing an unusual value, this may be due to a false positive, damage or a fault, but if a cluster of sensors are showing the same values, there is more likely to be an issue of concern. Alarm systems are then able to assign an appropriate level of risk and implement a pre-designated response.”


Following the global Coronavirus pandemic, there will be a heightened sensitivity to cross- infection, and a greater emphasis on decontamination. Garry says: “We are already seeing an expanded range of applications for monitoring decontamination – in pharmaceutical facilities, isolators, transfer hatches, cleanrooms and ambulances for example. We have also been pleased to see work on the decontamination of PPE equipment for re-use.”


Garry Tabor, ATi UK Email: sales@atiuk.com Tel: 01457 873 318 www.atiuk.com


In summary, it is vitally important that decontamination should not be a ‘shot in the dark’ – instead, there should be a regulatory requirement for decontamination activities to be monitored for both efficacy and safety with full traceability of data.


Author Contact Details Graham Meller, Buttonwood Marketing Ltd • Buttonwood House, Main Rd, Shutlanger, Towcester, Northants NN12 7RU, UK • Tel: +44 (0)1604 862 404 • Email: gmeller@buttonwoodmarketing.com • www.buttonwoodmarketing.com


ATEX & IECEx Zone 1 accredited robot incorporated with


VOC monitor for use in flammable and explosive environments Throughout unmanned facilities within the oil and gas industry, a human presence is generally still needed for regular inspection work, so deploying Ex certified robots (ATEX and IECEx Zone 1) incorporated with the Ion Science Falco, can have a significant positive impact on safety by minimising worker field trips, which in turn reduces operating costs.


Ion Science’s Falco VOC (volatile organic compound) monitor boasts fast response times and several innovative design features. The instrument’s typhoon technology prevents condensation forming on the sensor making it ideal for use in high humidity and harsh weather conditions.


Ian Peerless, Operations Director at ExRobotics comments: “Our robots are used in the oil and gas industry mainly for first response, fugitive emission and preventative maintenance. The introduction of more stringent fugitive emission regulations and the subsequent opening up of new markets prompted the need for a fixed gas detection instrument that could be incorporated into our remotely operated ExR-1 robot.


“The Ion Science Falco VOC monitor was recommended by a significant player in the oil industry who conducted extensive performance tests and trials at a large refinery where the Falco came out on top. When ExRobotics did testing of its own, we also found the detector to be robust and reliable.”


The ExRobotics ExR-1 robot is equipped with camera’s for visual inspection, microphones for sound monitoring and the Falco gas detector for leak detection. It sends an alarm to the control room if a leak is detected.


ExR-1 with Falco navigates autonomously through installations and find its way back to its docking station to recharge. This means that inspectors and operators can reduce their visits to remote or hazardous locations, greatly improving their work safety.


For More Info, email: email:


For More Info, email: 52716pr@reply-direct.com WWW.ENVIROTECH-ONLINE.COM IET Annual Buyers’ Guide 2020/21


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