SACOR BUSINESS GROUP-2019 COMPANY CATALOGUE SACOR BUSINESS GROUP 2019 COMPANY CATALOGUE | Page 68

11 Portable Gas Detectors
Flammable and toxic gas detection
instruments are generally available in
two different formats: portable, i.e.
‘spot reading’ detectors and ‘fixed’,
permanently sited monitors. Which
of these types is most appropriate
for a particular application will
depend on several factors, including
how often the area is accessed
by personnel, site conditions,
whether the hazard is permanent
or transitory, how often testing is
needed, and last but not least,
the availability of finances.
Portable instruments probably account for
nearly half of the total of all modern, electronic
gas detectors in use today. In most countries,
legislation also requires their use by anyone
working in confined spaces such as sewers and
underground telephone and electricity ducts.
Generally, portable gas detectors are compact,
robust, waterproof and lightweight and can be
easily carried or attached to clothing. They are also
useful for locating the exact point of a leak which
was first detected with a fixed detection system.
Portable gas detectors are available as single or
multi-gas units. The single gas units contain one
sensor for the detection of a specific gas while
multi-gas units usually contain up to four different
gas sensors (typically Oxygen, flammable,
Carbon Monoxide and Hydrogen Sulphide).
Products range from simple alarm only
disposable units to advanced fully configurable
and serviceable instruments with features such
as datalogging, internal pump sampling, auto
calibration routines and connectivity
to other units.
Recent portable gas detector design
advances include the use of more
robust and lightweight materials for
their construction. The use of high
power microprocessors enables data
processing for instrument self-checking,
running operating software, data storage,
and auto calibration routines. Modular designs
allow simple routine servicing and maintenance.
New battery technology has provided extended
operating time between charges in a smaller and
more lightweight package.
Future designs are likely to see the integration of
other technologies such as GPS, bluetooth and
voice communication as well as the incorporation
of gas detection into other safety equipment.
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