Industry Experience

Semiconductor Manufacturing: Manufacturing semiconductor materials involves the use of highly toxic substances and flammable gas. Phosphorus, arsenic, boron and gallium are commonly used as doping agents. Hydrogen is used both as a reactant and a reducing atmosphere carrier gas. Etching and cleaning gases include HCl, Cl2, NF3 and other perfluoro compounds.

Solar Manufacturing: Research and Development for the future manufacturing of solar panels utilizes many differing materials which are often processed using highly toxic substances and flammable gases. Phosphorus, arsenic, boron and gallium are currently commonly used as doping agents. Hydrogen is used both as a reactant and a reducing atmosphere carrier gas. Etching and cleaning gases include HCl, Cl2, HF and NH3. Research and Development labs are constantly stretching the limits of current manufacturing methods and experiment with the use of different exotic and toxic materials.

University Research Laboratories: University Labs vary from college to college and do quite of bit of research and development requiring the use of toxic and flammable gases. The labs are similar to semiconductor type facilities and use a lot of the same gases. Gas detection is used to provide personal safety and the controls are there to mitigate the hazards before there are harmful levels.

Landfills and Commercial Buildings on Landfill: Landfill gas is generated by the anaerobic decomposition of organic refuse deposited in landfills. Landfill gas consists primarily of methane and carbon dioxide. As our cities become more populated we are forced to use land once used for municipal landfills. This has caused many documented events showing the collection of methane in buildings through the sub-foundation and potentially creating a flammable environment. Gas detection is used to activate building controls, including industrial fans that pull atmosphere from the sub-foundation and evacuate through the building rooftop, therefore mitigating the intrusion into the building.

Chemical Plants: Probably one of the largest users of gas detection equipment is Chemical Plants. They often use a wide range of both flammable and toxic gases in their manufacturing processes or create them as by-products of the processes.

Waste Water Treatment Plants: Waste Water Treatment Plants are a familiar site around many cities and towns.

Sewage naturally gives off both Methane and H2S. The ‘rotten eggs’ smell of H2S can often be noticed as the nose can detect it at less than 0.1ppm.

Boiler/Chiller Rooms: Boiler and Chiller Rooms come in all shapes and sizes. Small buildings may have a single boiler and chiller whereas larger buildings often have large mechanical rooms housing several large boilers and chillers.

Tunnels/Car Parks: Car Tunnels and enclosed Car Parks need to be monitored for the toxic gases from exhaust fumes. Modern tunnels and car parks use this monitoring to control the ventilation fans. Tunnels may also need to be monitored for the buildup of natural gas.

Sensitive Receptor Occupancies: Let’s face it we use, dispense and store flammable, toxic and asphyxiates gases in our communities. To further protect segments of our society which are most susceptible to influences from toxic materials. City Planning is now identifying Sensitive Receptor Occupancies during the Permit Process for new developments or TI work. Gas detection is being used as an exposure prevention mechanism by alarming occupant to shelter in place. The gas detection system is integrated into the building control systems to prevent the incursion of gas.