Category: Gas Detection Systems

Your brand new gas detection system has been installed, tested and is ready to go, but that’s not the end of the story. Just like any other high-functioning mechanism, your gas detection system will require regular maintenance. In fact, in order to meet industry regulations and operational standards, your gas detection systems must be checked every 6 months to a year. This is not only to ensure peak performance, but also your safety and peace of mind. But if you’re thinking you need to start a whole new search to look for a company that performs gas detector checks, think again. MDC Systems Inc. is here to help with the routine checkups for your gas detection systems in San Jose, CA, too.

At MDC Systems Inc., we are dedicated to assisting you in maintaining your gas detection system throughout the life of its operation. We take a full-circle approach to delivering the ongoing upkeep and testing services required to meet NIST standards and to ensure that your system is continually operating at peak performance. No matter what type of gas detection system you have installed, from a thermal conductivity system to an electrochemical sensor, our techs are trained to help you maintain the system and ensure it is always operating correctly. Here’s what you can expect from a routine gas detector checkup from MDC Systems Inc.:

• Delivery of the specific certified gas sample to each sensor type.

• Connecting to the sensor electronically, to verify electrical readings when no sensor readout is available, to ensure proper set points are reached.

• Using pressure demand regulators for sample draw type sensors, in order to verify the pumps integrity, as well as the sensor’s reaction to the gas.

• Using set rate regulators with the specified manufacturer’s calibration cup, for a tight seal for diffusion-type area sensors.

• Building Calibration Reports documenting the sensors’ ID, gas type, range, alarm set points and calibration set points.

• Documenting the pre-findings and post-settings on the calibration report.

• Affixing calibration stickers to each sensor passing the calibration service.

• Delivering a completed calibration report for maintenance recordkeeping purposes.

• Preparing cost estimates for repairs to the system upon completion of the calibration services, if some of the sensors failed calibration and are in need of replacement.

At MDC Systems Inc., we are dedicated to providing our clients with quality gas detection systems in San Jose, CA that exceed expectations when it comes to performance, reliability and accuracy. However, even the most efficient gas detector requires regular maintenance to ensure that it is operating at peak performance. That’s why we are dedicated to offering our clients regular maintenance service and system checkups in addition to our top-notch installation services. We want to not only make sure that your system meets industry regulations and operational standards, but that you are confident in your system’s continued performance. To learn more about our maintenance services or to schedule your routine system checkup, give us a call today!

Certain types of commercial and industrial facilities have the potential for gas-related hazards, more so than many other kinds of business settings. Types of gas hazards include oxygen depletion, explosive gas presence and toxicity. But with the right gas detection system in place, you can rest easy knowing both occupied and unoccupied areas of your facility are getting continuous monitoring to better avert dangerous situations.

Here are some benefits of gas detection systems in San Jose, CA when you install them in your commercial or industrial building.

Round-the-clock monitoring

Large industrial and commercial structures are bound to house all sorts of gases. These gases could be produced during product manufacturing processes, they may be naturally occurring in the environment or they may even present after an internal gas leak. The best way to keep your employees safe and your property protected is to take advantage of the benefits that gas detection systems offer. The right system for your facility will offer continuous monitoring, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to make sure gas levels never reach a critical state.

The most important thing is the safety of you and the people who work for you. With quality gas detection systems in San Jose, CA, you are protected from risks like asphyxiation, gas poisoning, even building explosions or fires.

Less worry

Because gas detection systems are made to detect hazardous gases before someone enters a room—or while employees are working in an area—on-the-job safety risks are minimized. The system takes on the responsibility that would otherwise have you manually monitoring a gas detection device, thus reducing the amount of time it takes to completely assess individual areas. You also don’t have to worry when you know your employees will receive early warnings if a hazardous gas is detected.

Save money

Not having to post someone up for manual gas detection monitoring is another benefit of installing an automated detection system. This change saves time and money on labor that could be used in other areas of your business. Also, installing a good quality system may require a greater initial cost, but money is saved over time in labor and maintenance.

Easy to maintain

Not only are commercial and industrial gas detection systems affordable, but they also require little maintenance and are relatively simple to install. Additionally, they are typically installed in closed off areas or placed up high, making them less susceptible to damage. For these reasons, maintenance is low, as long as your system is regularly calibrated.

On another note, although you could install a basic system yourself, for more intricate building layouts and to reach all enclosed spaces—such as crawlspaces, storage closets and basements—you may want to seriously consider hiring a professional. Inquire about professional installation services when you are looking into purchasing a new gas detection system.

If you own a commercial or industrial site, make sure gas detection systems in San Jose, CA are at the top of your safety upgrade list. For more information, schedule a time to speak with a professional installer at MDC Systems Inc. Contact us today!

Gas detection systems in San Jose, CA are designed to pick up on potential toxic gas leaks to keep every person in your facility safe, which is why it’s crucial that you have the right gas detection device in place. This is not only because hazardous gases have the power to knock out an entire workforce, but because many are also flammable. From gas poisoning to fires and explosions, gas detection alarms must be taken seriously, no matter what—including false alarms. But even though the alarms might be false, you cannot allow employees to stop reacting to them.

As a reminder to everyone working in your facility, here’s an overview of false alarms produced by toxic gas detection systems in San Jose, CA.

What is a false alarm?

We’ve all probably encountered a false alarm either at home or at our place of employment. The most common type of false alarm is the smoke detector going off. That loud beeping is meant to be annoying in order to alert you to the presence of smoke, but when you don’t see smoke, you may go looking for a source that’s not there. False alarms lead to panic, and in an office building or factory, it’s likely to bring out the fire department.

But for your facility that’s around any number of gases, alarms—though they may be false—can be extremely scary. A toxic gas detector is a device installed to alert everyone on site that a dangerous level of a specific hazardous gas has been detected; in some instances, that gas is not actually loose in the air.

Main causes of false alarms

• Your gas detector could be reacting to a certain hazardous gas, which may create an electrical noise or signal that leads to a false alarm. This is also known as cross-sensitivities caused by a chemical reaction.
• Maintaining your gas detection system plays a huge role in whether or not false alarms occur—especially since sensors can lose their sensitivity after a certain amount of time. This means they are more likely to malfunction and produce false alarms on a regular basis before completely dying off. Depending on the manufacturer, sensor life is typically 6 to 24 months, but with scheduled maintenance services, you can have them replaced well before they start losing their accuracy.
• Another possible cause of false alarms in your facility is the age of the detection device. Old technology and equipment may have proven worthy for a good length of time, but you want to consider replacing your old system with a newer, more efficient one to stop nonsensical alerts and to ensure workplace safety.

When you own one of many gas detection systems in San Jose, CA, you are responsible for keeping it maintained. Your employees depend on you to keep them safe at the workplace, which is why you should schedule regular system maintenance and sensor checks with the experienced team at MDC Systems, Inc. Don’t hesitate to call us with questions or to make an appointment!

As the owner or landlord of a sizable commercial building, it’s important that you ensure the safety of everyone inside. More specifically, we’re talking about installing reliable gas detection systems in San Jose, CA to alert you to dangerous gas leaks. Starting with an evaluation to determine specifications, you will want to choose wisely—in other words, keep in mind not only the initial cost of the system, but also the cost of ongoing maintenance throughout the years. Get an inadequate unit and you may be looking at regular service calls to determine problems—or worse, it may malfunction when a leak occurs.

That being said, it’s imperative that you select the right gas detection system not only for function, but also because doing so can save you thousands of dollars over the years. Here are some of the things you want to consider when thinking about the lifetime cost of ownership.

The warranty period

Like a warranty you get for the large appliances in your home or for the industrial grade systems that keep your business building running, you will want to make sure your gas detection system is also covered under a warranty. Should something break or the system act up, a good warranty should take care of the cost (or most of the cost) of repairs and replacements. And the warranty period is just as important as what parts and services are covered to give you peace of mind. Therefore, consider the warranty in conjunction with the purchase price.

Component replacement

It’s important that you know what it will cost to replace major components on different gas detection systems in San Jose, CA. The technology—like sensors and connectors—will vary depending on the type of gas detector. For example, a pellistor-based sensor is less expensive, but since it typically has a shorter life, maintenance and replacement costs are higher. Meanwhile, a part that is predicted to go out in a short amount of time is probably not going to be covered under a warranty for long.

Features and design

Of course it’s a good guess that a cheaply made system will fall victim to all sorts of issues, not to mention the need to replace it sooner. And the parts that are more susceptible to damage—like unit covers and buttons or knobs—might not be written into your warranty. When you select a gas detector system that’s designed to last with strong and undated technology, you can save on maintenance and replacement costs over its lifetime.

Ultimately, once you realize why it’s important to consider the long-term cost of ownership—maintenance, warranty, repairs and replacements—then safety should become the top priority. So avoid the temptation to buy a gas detector solely based on a low price tag. Talk with a reputable gas detection expert to learn about each system that would work best for your industrial or commercial building.

Whether you’re looking to replace your old gas detector or installing one for the first time, the knowledgeable team at MDC Systems Inc. is ready to help you choose between a number of available gas detection systems in San Jose, CA. Call today for more information.