RESPIRATORY HEALTH & AIR QUALITY


SAFETY MEETS SUSTAINABILITY


Gas detection systems are critical to workplace safety, but simply installing them isn’t enough, says Ben Adams, Business Manager, Speciality Products at Air Products. In this Q&A, Ben shares with us where gas detection is most critical, how calibration gases fit into the process, and how manufacturers can use innovation to future-proof their operations.


Q:


WHERE IS GAS DETECTION MOST CRITICAL AND WHAT IS THE CURRENT CHALLENGE?


Ben Adams (BA): Gas detection is essential anywhere there’s a risk of oxygen depletion, flammable atmospheres, or exposure to toxic gases.


These hazards crop up across a myriad of sectors, and a wide range of detection equipment is used from personal alarms clipped to clothing to area monitors scanning entire workspaces.


But installing detection systems is only half the story. They must be tested and calibrated periodically to ensure accuracy – and that’s where calibration gases come in. These gases fine-tune the sensors to meet legislative requirements, which is achieved by matching or mimicking alarm set points.


The challenge is that traditional supply methods for these calibration gases rely on bulky cylinders or disposable canisters which create environmental and operational pain points that industries can no longer ignore. Innovations like refillable canisters are helping manufacturers tackle these issues head-on, with products such as Experis Eco canisters leading the charge toward a safer, circular model.


Q: WHAT’S DRIVING THE CHANGE?


BA: The sector is evolving thanks to the combined push from regulatory pressure and sustainability goals.


Stricter regulations require employers to monitor and control hazardous substances, even at low exposure levels, to avoid health impacts. Compliance is about protecting people, reputation and the bottom line.


Sustainability is also a central focus. Manufacturers are looking for ways to reduce energy use, limit waste, and lower their carbon footprint. Smarter calibration methods that require fewer gases are part of this shift, as are innovations in detector design that use recyclable materials.


Q:


WHEN IT COMES TO THE CALIBRATION GASES USED TO TEST DETECTION SYSTEMS, ARE CANISTERS OR CYLINDERS BEST?


BA: Cylinders are ideal for long-term storage or situations that require a continuous supply of gas. They are typically made of steel, designed to hold larger volumes at higher pressure, and are refillable – but for smaller requirements, they are heavy and cumbersome to transport, presenting a manual handling risk.


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Canisters, meanwhile, are lightweight and portable, making them perfect for short-term use. Traditionally, however, they have been disposable, and that’s where the problem lies.


Recycling can be energy-intensive and incorrect disposal can lead to safety risks and financial penalties. Empty canisters often end up in storage or landfill, creating hazards and unnecessary waste.


Sustainability is now the biggest driver of change, and refillable canisters are a simple but powerful innovation moving industries from a linear to a circular model, reducing waste and removing safety risks while maintaining operational efficiency.


Air Products’ Experis Eco canister range is a prime example. It combines the convenience of a canister, with the environmental responsibility of a refillable cylinder. By reducing waste and cutting energy use, it also eliminates the safety risks associated with disposal, and helps manufacturers meet their sustainability targets without compromising on performance. For many businesses, this isn’t just an environmental advantage – it’s a safer, smarter, more cost-effective way to operate too.


Q:


HOW CAN MANUFACTURERS FUTURE- PROOF THEIR OPERATIONS?


BA: Future-proofing means choosing technologies that are flexible, upgradeable, and environmentally responsible. It also means recognising that gas detection is more than just compliance – it’s about keeping people safe while making sustainability part of the process.


That starts with acknowledging that detection systems must be regularly and thoroughly checked, that calibration gases are essential to this process, and that there are safer, smarter, and more sustainable ways to supply them.


The conversation is moving beyond meeting today’s standards; it’s about setting new benchmarks for safety and environmental responsibility, now and in the future.


www.airproducts.co.uk WWW.TOMORROWSHS.COM


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