PHAM NEWS | FEBRUARY 2025 Test& Measuring Instruments


Preventing gas leaks in commercial buildings


If left undetected, the leakage of refrigerant gases in a commercial building can result in health issues, fi nancial losses and environmental damage. Shaun Evers, MD of Stonegate Instruments, discusses the eff ects of HVAC gas leaks and explains how the latest gas detection technologies can help to prevent them.


T


he commercial sector relies on HVAC systems to regulate internal environments.


They maintain comfortable temperatures and humidities for occupants, ensure perishable goods are stored safely, and remove harmful particles and fumes to improve air quality. An inherent fl aw, however, is that they are prone to leaking refrigerant gases. According to the Carbon Trust, a typical HVAC system in the UK will lose around 20% of its gases every year. This leakage can have serious consequences. When HVAC systems leak


refrigerant gases, it can raise issues for human health, HVAC effi ciency and climate change. For facilities, premises and maintenance managers, the implications for occupant health are signifi cant. When exposed to these gases, people can experience various medical reactions, from skin and eye irritation and headaches to nausea, coughing and breathing problems.


Higher risks When concentrations reach higher levels, so do the risks. For instance, individuals in confi ned spaces, like refrigeration units, may even lose consciousness or asphyxiate. Moreover, as some of these gases are combustible, a leak increases the danger of fi re. Detecting leakages quickly is, therefore, critical to ensure a building’s occupants are kept safe. For businesses facing


constantly increasing energy prices, the loss of gas from


HVAC systems can have a substantial and sustained eff ect on operational energy costs. The 20% of refrigeration gas that an HVAC system typically loses in a year reduces the system’s effi ciency by around 11%. This means it will need to consume 11% more energy to continue working eff ectively. As the majority of leaks


Shaun Evers MD of Stonegate Instruments


remain undetected until around 60% of the gases have escaped, operational effi ciency will have dropped by 33%. This equates to an unnecessary increase in running costs by the same fi gure. With a gas detector installed, this considerable waste of energy and overspending can be avoided.


There has been considerable


advancement in the field of gas leak detection, with the latest technologies able to swiftly discover leaks in commercial buildings


Environmental damage Gas leaks present a two-fold problem for the environment. As their effi ciency deteriorates and more energy is required, the more CO2 is generated. An 11% increase in energy use can result in an 11% rise in CO2 output, depending upon the energy source. This, however, is far less damaging to the environment than the release of HVAC gases, which have a global warming potential (GWP) several thousand times greater than CO2. Remaining in the atmosphere


for decades, these super greenhouse gases deplete the ozone layer that protects the atmosphere from the sun’s harmful radiation. By identifying leaks quickly, gas detectors help prevent issues like climate change from getting worse. To address the impact


of refrigerant gases on the environment, there are


HVAC gases. As they can be programmed to do this with pre-defi ned mixtures of gases and air, this allows their sensitivity to be tailored to the specifi c environment in which they are installed. Furthermore, by enabling


leaks to be addressed quickly, the resultant savings on energy costs can provide operators with a return on investment within two years, while the use of active fi lters to omit irrelevant gases from detection extends the sensor’s lifecycle.


strict regulations covering HVAC maintenance. Gas leak checks are now mandatory, with frequencies ranging from quarterly to annually, depending on a system’s F-gas to CO2 tonnage equivalence. Additionally, gas leak


detection equipment must be installed on all systems that contain F-gas equivalent to 500 tonnes of CO2 or higher. With fi nes of up to £200k for non-compliance, it is important to note that responsibility for stopping leaks falls not just on operators but on installation, maintenance and disposal contractors too.


Advanced detection In response to evolving HVAC regulations, there has been considerable advancement in the fi eld of gas leak detection, with the latest technologies able to swiftly discover leaks in commercial buildings, including those with extreme environments, like cold storage units. Using semiconductor or


infrared sensing elements, the latest detectors can accurately identify both HVAC and non-


Raising the alarm Advanced gas detection systems also ensure occupant safety in commercial buildings. They feature integrated LEDs that show the sensor’s presence and status, together with audio- visual signalling alarms that rapidly alert occupants to the leak and allow maintenance teams to quickly make repairs. Designed with modern


facilities management in mind, these detection systems can be integrated with Building Management Systems (BMS), enabling professionals to proactively monitor while providing enhanced diagnostics and communications. For HVAC operators,


installers and maintenance teams in the commercial sector, modern gas detection systems provide a range of important benefi ts. They detect gas leaks accurately and quickly, keep occupants from physical harm, prevent energy and fi nancial wastage, minimise environmental damage and assist with compliance. ◼phamnews.co.uk/225/59


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