Meet the Safety Gas Detection team
Tim
Director
Following a career in senior management in the food Industry and gas detection, Tim formed the company in 2007 – a tough time for industry in the UK as the credit crunch began to hit. Tim’s engineering and gas detection background allows him to develop reliable products, with features that benefit the industries we serve.
Emma
Office Manager
Emma is based in the office and supports the administration side of the business, ensuring that our suppliers and employees are paid in a timely manner and making sure we are fully compliant with the requirements of the government and our safety accreditations.
Chris B
Engineer
Chris joined SGD after completing a computer degree, providing additional support in product development. Chris travels the country keeping systems in full running order to protect the lives of thousands of people. He enjoys getting to know our customers as we pride ourselves on consistent personal service, knowing they can rely on us.
Liam
Engineer
Liam began working with SGD as an apprentice and has progressed to running day-to-day operations, balanced with a level of on-site support. Liam has years of experience with a variety of manufacturer’s systems ensuring we give our customers the best level of support, he keeps customers very happy ensuring their systems are up-to-date with maintenance and calibration – priding himself by working closely with our customers to deliver exceptional customer service.
Chris S
Engineer
Chris Saunders started his career in laboratory work, and as such has a good working knowledge of this type of environment. He joined the team a number of years ago and travels the country keeping all the systems serviced and up to date.
Pepper
Front of House
Welcomes visitors with a very enthusiastic wag of the tail! She also makes sure Tim and Emma get plenty of exercise.
What makes us different?
- We can offer a turnkey package, from survey and design – through to installation and commissioning – to ongoing inclusive maintenance packages. So much more than just a manufacturer!
- Many system configuration options – including modular units that can grow and adapt as your requirements change.
- Reliability & long term support – We still maintain systems built by ourselves 10 years ago.
- Customer Service – a friendly family run business, with a no nonsense approach to getting it right.
- Support of other manufacturer’s equipment’
- Membership of the British Cryogenics Council and Reset Certification Scheme, and accredited by CHAS and SafeContractor – you can be assured you are in experienced, safe hands.
Our Accreditations
Frequently Asked Questions
Why choose Safety Gas Detection?
We offer much more than just our superb innovative products.
We offer the whole package to help you manage the life cycle of your gas detection needs.
From survey and risk assessment of your application, through installation to maintenance and additional support services – all backed by a 6 year warranty (if you invest in one of our servicing packages).
I’m not sure what type of system I need, can you help?
Of course.
Do not hesitate to contact us – whilst we provide a high level of support to assist you in determining what is required to address your applications risk, we do not have a ‘hard sell’ sales approach.
The quality and specification of our products and the level of support we offer provide all the sales technique we need!
We can attend site and make a survey of your application, or alternatively for new projects inspect your plans and advise based upon these.
What warranty do you offer?
All our systems come with a 5 year comprehensive parts and labour warranty – all that is required is an annual service to maintain your warranty.
Beyond the 5 years, we can offer a ’no surprises‘ support package for a fixed fee, so you can manage your budget with confidence.
I want to specify a system, what details should I include in my specification?
Each application is different, contact us with some details and we will develop a tailored specification which we can send to you to incorporate in your own documents.
This will ensure that you cover all the important aspects of procuring a suitable system.
How many sensors will I need to cover an area?
There is no scientific formula to calculate this as it depends upon so many factors – the type of gas(es) causing the hazard, dimensions of the room, provision of natural ventilation etc.
Contact our technical team who will be happy to advise or send someone to perform a no-obligation survey and assessment.
What do we do if the system gives an alarm?
If the system gives the full alarm, then we advise you to evacuate the risk area.
You will need to install your own procedure to be followed in this event.
All systems have a 1st alarm stage also, which gives an indication before the full alarm is reached so that investigation and corrective action can be taken before evacuation is required.
What if I want to monitor more than one room or building?
This is a standard feature of our systems, and individual zoned alarm outputs can be programmed to suit your application.
We can even upgrade your system as circumstances change, adapting it in line with your requirements by adding or removing sensors and zones.
Where should the alarm system be fitted – inside or outside the risk area?
We always recommend fitting the User Interface outside of the risk area so that it is not necessary to enter the room to determine the status of the system.
Warning to personnel inside the risk area is provided by alarm beacons which provide audible and visual indication in the event of a full (red) alarm.
If for specific reasons you wish to site the unit inside the risk area, we have solutions to accommodate this also.
The central control system is normally sited to accommodate wall space and ease of system installation.
Why do you not offer ‘off-the-shelf’ systems to buy online?
No two risks are identical.
We take gas safety very seriously, as usually lives are at risk.
We see our role as a supplier of a safety solution, not just an electronic product available from an online shopping cart.
We like to be involved from the start to ensure that the product that is fitted is best suited to the application, and providing a support facility for the future.
Why do I need a fixed system when I can use portable personal monitors?
Fixed monitors operate 24/7 whether personnel are in the risk area or not, personal monitors operate only whilst the person takes the monitor into the area, and until the batteries need replacing/recharging.
Fixed monitors provide an indication of the risk before personnel go into the area, personal monitors require an individual to take the monitor into the risk area before a reading is taken.
Fixed monitors can provide an audible and visual indication of an alarm at multiple entries to a room, and over a wide area within a room using linked warning beacons, personal monitors can only indicate to people within close vicinity – especially in noisy areas.
Fixed monitors can provide remote alarms to personnel via E-mail and SMS (especially useful for alarms during out-of-hours), personal monitors cannot.
Fixed monitors tend to be more reliable than portables as they are not moved around the workplace, and therefore less susceptible to loss, damage and neglect.
They generally constructed from more robust materials than personal monitors.
Portable monitors can be easily lost, misplaced and stolen.
What gas types can you detect?
Anything that there is a sensor technology available including (but not limited to) Carbon Monoxide, Carbon Dioxide, Flammable Gas, Hydrocarbons, Oxygen, Refrigeration Gas and Toxic Gas.
Who can install the system?
Systems are normally installed by our team, although we provide support for your electrical contractor or your in-house installation team should you prefer to use these.
In that case, we can attend site once installation is finished to check connections, commission and test the system.
Can I connect it to my Building Management System (BMS)?
Yes, very easily using our standard alarm connections.
I am storing a small quantity of Liquid Nitrogen, how can I calculate if the area is at risk?
It is necessary to calculate the room volume and the volume of expanded Liquid Nitrogen, and then determine if the Nitrogen dispel enough air so the resultant Oxygen content would be 18% or less.
To make this easy for you, we have a PC based calculation tool which we can send to you – simply insert the room dimensions and the quantity of LN2 stored and the tool does the rest.
Alternatively, an even easier option is for you to send us your room dimensions and quantity of LN2 and we will send you the results.
Our story
Safety Gas Detection was formed in 2007 when we were asked to design and build a bespoke gas detection and ventilation control system for the Brownfield Construction sector by a specialist contractor.
Director Tim Holmes had previous experience in manufacture, specification, installation, maintenance and sales of gas detection equipment.
Having a background in industrial controls, Tim developed robust gas detection control products, using world renowned equipment from the likes of Siemens and Allen Bradley to form the basis of systems with high reliability, yet reasonable cost.
Systems as far back as 2007 featured a colour touch screen display to provide information rich systems with intuitive interfaces – unheard of features within gas detection until many years later.
A further example was the optional implementation of 3G modems, which allow for engineers to have secure internet access to the control system for remote monitoring, along with SMS and email upon alarm functions.
Once core products were launched, customers appreciated the cost effective yet highly intuitive interfaces.
Since then, proven industrial technology has continually been used over time to gradually update and improve the products, sticking with the theme of top level reliability at reasonable costs.
Given the high level of reliability of the systems, we were able very early on to offer long warranty options and fixed maintenance costs.
Given the high level of reliability of the systems, we were able very early on to offer long warranty options and fixed maintenance costs.
Customers have found that our high-level customer service matches the products credentials and so Safety Gas Detection has grown steadily year on year since incorporation in 2007 with many long-term customers.
We now manage over two hundred service contracts in over thirty universities, with hundreds of systems in other establishments such as hospitals, schools, pharmaceuticals, research facilities and plant rooms.
Many other industries use our services where we look after thousands of sensors that constantly monitor gas levels to keep people safe.
We are based in the North West which is ideal for serving the whole of the UK due to fantastic road and rail services.
With our knowledgeable, qualified and experienced team we have a fantastic track record of happy, satisfied customers who are assured of our mission to protect lives through our dependable, effective gas detection systems with impressive maintenance packages.
We support our customers to help protect people in all working environments.
Some of our valued customers include
- NHS Trusts.
- Public Health England.
- Energy producers.
- Cancer Research.
- Water authorities.
- Blue chip pharmaceutical & industrial clients.
- Formula 1 racing teams.
- Numerous universities, schools and colleges throughout the UK.
The majority of which have been valued clients for many years.