An Overview of False Alarms in Toxic Gas Detection Systems in San Jose, CA
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!
Basic Principles and Factors to Keep in Mind with Sensor Placement for Area Gas Detectors in San Jose, CA
When it comes to commercial gas detection system installations, it’s important that you first schedule a professional risk evaluation for potential gas hazards and equipment selection and placement. Where you place your gas sensors is crucial if they are to do their job, as it helps to ensure that everyone in the building is safe from exposure to toxic or combustible gases. But before we take a look at some of the basic principles and factors of sensor placement for area gas detectors in San Jose, CA, let’s briefly discuss the risk analysis process.
Analysis of risks
You want to install the best gas detection system from the start, so make sure to call a company skilled in the industry. A professional will be able to recommend the most efficient detection equipment for your needs, as well as where to place the sensors.
The analysis process is likely to include inspecting areas for potential sources of gas leaks. Not only will this indicate where sensors should be placed, but it’s also good for you to know if you need parts replacement or repairs. They may also check the density and other properties that make up the gas you work around to aid in the placement process. Undoubtedly, there are a few things that can affect the direction and rate in which gas diffuses during a leak. For this reason, these factors need to be pinpointed.
Furthermore, whether you already have a system installed or are planning to do so in the future, the environment where the detector resides should have its own evaluation performed to make sure it’s the right product for your space. This includes testing the temperature, checking for nearby vibration, ensuring adequate ventilation and inspecting the cleanliness of the environment.
Principles and factors
The following important points should be kept in mind:
- Sensor placement for area detection is based on many factors, such as the weight of the gas, vapor density, the device’s ability to alert workers and being capable of holding up in the event of an explosion.
- Factoring in the vapor density of all monitored gases is important, which is why you need to bring in a gas detection expert.
- The risk analysis will show the areas most susceptible to a possible gas leak. Placing sensors close to gas sources and possible leaks makes sense.
- Place sensors in spots where the air is likely to collect a high concentration of gas. Potential areas include stairwells and crawlspaces, but also areas where gas can easily build up in corners or around machines or devices that release gas.
- It may seem like a good idea to place sensors near air vents. Unfortunately, vents act as channels and can endanger more areas in your building or nearby buildings should a gas leak occur. And because of air dilution, detectors placed too close to vents can cause issues with gas samples.
These are just a few of the factors to be aware of. But luckily for you, MDC Systems, Inc. is here to assist with selecting the right system design, as well as to help with the placement of commercial building gas detectors in San Jose, CA. Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Looking Into Gas Detection Systems in San Jose, CA? Consider the Lifetime Cost of Ownership
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.
An Overview of Common Gas Detectors in San Jose, CA to Find Which Is Best for Your Needs
Homeowners are all too familiar with installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in every room of their home. And while it is just as important for industrial and commercial building owners to get these devices as well, they also need to consider gas detectors in San Jose, CA to monitor for toxic gases that may be present indoors.
Unfortunately, it is not as simple to select a hazardous gas detector as it is a basic smoke alarm. To make sure you determine which gas detection method will benefit your application or structure the best, contact your local gas detection experts and ask questions. Let’s get started with a short overview of some of the most common gas detector systems to help you select the most useful method for your needs:
- Sample draw extraction: To get a good gas sample from hard-to-reach places, you may consider using the sample draw gas detecting method. Areas in this category include spaces in high ceilings, down in wells or other types of pits, deep within ducts or shafts and storage areas—especially if these spaces are in the general location where hazardous chemicals are kept. The motorized pump in this device provides power to transport potentially toxic gas samples back to the sensor. It may also be configured to detect certain gases.
- Diffusion: Unlike a sample draw system, sensors on a passive diffusion device don’t use a pump to transport an airborne gas sample back to the sensor. What it does is relies on the movement of the air to bring a gas sample to its sensor. However, a diffusion sensor may not be able to be placed in tricky areas, like those mentioned in the sample draw extraction section above.
- Colormetric tape: The easiest way to describe colormetric paper or tape is that it works as a visual gas detection method via an absorbent strip of filter paper, while collecting and analyzing gas samples. This technique offers quick notification, telling you that unwanted gases are present in a certain area of your building. Colormetric tape is used to detect and measure relatively low levels of highly toxic gases and airborne substances—including ammonia, chlorine, diisocyanates and fluorine.
- Catalytic bead: This type of gas detection method is equipped with a small sensing element—so small that it’s called a bead. A catalytic bead sensor works by detecting combustible gas, which is a lower cost detection method from the gas detection group known as pellistors. Electrically heated platinum wire coils are used to pass a current through in order to reach a temperature that oxidizes gases at the bead sensor. If toxic gases are detected, you are alerted.
These are just a few types of gas detection methods available to keep your building safe from a variety of toxic gases that could present themselves at any time. Need assistance deciding which gas detectors in San Jose, CA would be best to install in your commercial building? If so, contact us at MDC Systems Inc. today!
