Quick answer: match detection to the room and process - ammonia at refrigeration and cold storage, CO2 at fermentation and carbonation, CO at ovens, boilers and forklift areas, and O2 in tanks, silos and inerted equipment.
The gas hazards
- Ammonia (NH3) - refrigeration leaks; OSHA PEL 50 ppm.
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) - fermentation, carbonation and welding shielding; OSHA PEL 5,000 ppm, NIOSH IDLH 40,000 ppm.
- Carbon monoxide (CO) - ovens, boilers and forklifts; OSHA PEL 50 ppm.
- Methane and hydrogen sulfide - waste and biogas operations.
- Chlorine and ozone - sanitation and disinfection.
- Oxygen depletion - fermentation tanks, silos and inerted equipment.
Where fixed detection fits
- Refrigeration and cold storage
- Breweries, wineries and beverage plants
- Ovens, boilers and process heat
- Confined spaces
- On-site wastewater and waste handling
Where wireless fits
- Mobile and temporary work areas
- Remote and large-scale facilities
- Emergency response teams
Regulations to know
OSHA Permit-Required Confined Spaces (29 CFR 1910.146). OSHA PSM (29 CFR 1910.119) applies to ammonia refrigeration systems holding more than 10,000 lb of anhydrous ammonia.
Safeguard products that apply
- SA-220NH Non-Hazardous Gas Detector - for non-hazardous ambient-air points; single or dual sensor configurations, optional relays.
- SA-220 Fixed Gas Detector - single sensor, 4-20 mA and Modbus output, optional relays, rated -40 °C to +60 °C. Hazardous-location certification is in progress and not yet held.
- SA-XDS diffusion multi-sensor gas detection system.
- Foresight monitoring, analytics and compliance reporting.
Exposure limits cited are from OSHA and NIOSH. Confirm detector selection and placement against your site's hazard assessment, and verify specifications with Safeguard before specifying equipment.