Carbon monoxide detection

Our carbon monoxide detection system is ideal for car parks and works in tandem with timed ventilation systems

Not only does it make your area safe but our system will save you energy and money

The dangers of carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas.
Air should contain virtually no carbon monoxide, although it is produced naturally in some circumstances.
It is toxic if inhaled and is flammable at certain levels.
It is almost exactly the same density as air.
Increased levels of carbon monoxide result in progressive physiological effects outlined below, these eventually resulting in life threatening situations in even relatively low concentrations.
Safety Gas Detection manufactures carbon monoxide detection systems which detect the presence of low levels of carbon monoxide and provide an alarm.

Why should you use a carbon monoxide alarm?

To protect your employees and the public and also save energy.

Typical areas which need carbon monoxide detection systems

Car parks
Boiler rooms
Vehicle operating areas
Loading bays
Vehicle workshops
Boiler and oven rooms
Public transport stations

The risk of a build up of carbon monoxide

If carbon monoxide builds up, it is harmful to health and that is why it is listed in the COSHH EH40 document.
Enclosed car park areas are designed with ventilation systems to remove the carbon monoxide and other harmful gases produced by vehicles.
Whilst the ventilation systems are designed to accommodate the gas generated by vehicles if these were not maintained or failed completely then a build up of carbon monoxide could result.
Additionally, due to the increase in energy costs, many operators are increasingly trying to reduce operating hours of the fans.
The EH40 Workplace Exposure Limits document indicates the limits of carbon monoxide for work areas.

The hidden benefit of a carbon monoxide detection system

Many car park areas have been designed with continuous (and sometimes timed) operation active ventilation systems which are increasingly costly to operate.
We see in most cases where this is true, that the incorporation of a demand controlled ventilation system using carbon monoxide monitoring gives a capital payback in 8 to 15 months.

The solution

Utilising the basic functions of our carbon monoxide alarm system, operators of areas subject to the build up of carbon monoxide can monitor multiple sensor points.
Additionally, they can use the alarm functions to control the switching and speed of the ventilation system, ensuring safe gas levels whilst reducing energy cost.
Carbon monoxide sensors are distributed in the areas subject to gas build up, and are monitored by the central monitoring station.
In a normal working environment, sensors are normally situated at around 1.25 metres above floor level, but this, of course, would be tailored to suit the circumstances of the application.
We can advise you on the best location for the sensors during a site survey.
The sensors usually have a range of 0-250 PPM (parts per million) and are of the electro-chemical type.
The carbon monoxide alarm system is normally set to give a first stage warning alarm at 20 PPM carbon monoxide, and then a second stage full alarm at 100 PPM carbon monoxide.
This enables the fans to be triggered into action, and the full alarm to be raised before dangerous levels are reached.
The alarm system has a user interface, which is a touch screen control panel.
Here it is possible to view the readings from the gas sensors, an indication is made audibly and visually if the system detects an alarm condition.
Optionally sited with the user interface is a small printer, which can be utilised to take records of testing, alarms and system set-up.
It is highly advisable that the user interface is located outside of the risk area so that in the event of an alarm, the information from the system can be accessed without entry into the risk area.
In this example, the first (amber) carbon monoxide alarm can be utilised to trigger the ventilation, and the second (red) alarm is utilised to indicate excessive carbon monoxide levels.

Application specific options

It is possible for the system to monitor multiple areas, with area specific (zoned) fan triggers.
Anti-Vandal guards for sensor enclosures in public areas.
Separate interface panel and monitoring station – ideal in this environment where Interface needs to be in a central control room or manned area. This can also reduce installation cost where the interface panel is located at a distance from the sensors.