In any occupational setting in which dangerous gas levels may be present, fixed gas detection systems represent the first pillar of workplace safety for employees and the general public. They’re an important part of a comprehensive strategy for the prevention of hazardous gas exposure found in facilities such as offshore drilling wells, water treatment plants, chemical plants, and mining operations.
While technology has advanced greatly when it comes to gas detection monitors and hardware, there’s still a human element involved that can mean the difference between safe and hazardous working conditions. Even the best gas detection systems in the world must be properly installed in the right locations to fulfill their potentially lifesaving roles. There are some key considerations to keep in mind when mapping out the points of installation for your fixed gas detection equipment. Keep reading below to learn a few tips that can help you properly install your fixed gas detection monitors and create a safe working environment for employees.
Focus on Equipment and Processes
When looking for prime places to install gas detection equipment, you should first look to equipment and processes that are commonly associated with dangerous gas leaks and fires. In the realm of commercial gas detection, mere minutes can mean the difference between a dangerous explosion and safely averting a potential disaster. Therefore, it’s important to place detectors near potential sources of leaks or processes that can produce hazardous gases. That will provide you with quick leak detection, and that translates into quick action to protect lives and property.
Know the Workspace
While modern gas detectors are robust and reliable, they’re still prone to the impact of environmental factors that surround them. For example, fluctuating temperatures, temperature extremes, the presence of dust or dirt, excess humidity, exposure to high winds, and consistent vibration can all impact the performance of your gas detectors. In some cases, these factors can cause them to fail altogether, which could create a potentially deadly situation. When installing gas detection equipment, examine the environmental features of the selected location and make sure that they won’t wreak havoc on your detectors. Or, make sure that you’ve properly shielded your detection system from those environmental factors before relying on your equipment to perform reliably.
Make the Most of Alarms
Any good gas detection monitor will have multiple ways to alert employees of potential hazards. Detection equipment, for example, should at least include visual and audible alarms, and some can also digitally communicate alarm notifications throughout the larger detection system. However, having multiple modes of alarm alone won’t ensure safety; the detectors must be installed so that the alarm notifications can be readily observed. For example, placing a gas detector in a broom closet doesn’t make much sense because alarm notifications wouldn’t be seen or heard by employees. Position detectors in a location that’s highly visible and where sound will be able to travel well.
Keep Maintenance in Mind
Gas detectors, like other types of sampling equipment, require periodic maintenance that includes cleaning and calibration. When installing your detection equipment, it’s important to keep this in mind. You don’t want to locate your detectors in a spot that will make maintenance and calibration difficult, unsafe, or unwieldy. That could mean that the equipment is checked and adjusted less frequently as a result, which would create a potentially dangerous situation for employees who rely on the monitors for their safety.
If you plan to install fixed gas detectors in your commercial workspace, use these tips to select the best locations for installation. By balancing the proximity to the potential leak sources with concerns about environmental factors and ease of maintenance, you can find the perfect point for installation of commercial gas detection equipment. To learn more about properly installing fixed gas detectors in the workplace, contact DOD Technologies, Inc., at (815) 680-6086.