Plant rooms are often situated underground. This is by design to save space or by virtue of being built into existing basements or chambers. Underground Plant Rooms often contain an array of machinery such as Pumps, Boilers, Sprinkler Systems or Generators.
Plant rooms are often situated underground. This is by design to save space or by virtue of being built into existing basements or chambers. Underground Plant Rooms often contain an array of machinery such as Pumps, Boilers, Sprinkler Systems or Generators.
This machinery, by its very nature, can generate gases such as Carbon Monoxide and Hydrocarbons, such as Methane. The fact they are below ground level can also result in an Oxygen Deficient Atmosphere developing.
Therefore it is extremely important to monitor these rooms to ensure the safety of staff and other persons who may need to enter.
Standalone monitors are the simplest and therefore lowest cost solution for small Underground Plant Rooms. Because of this the Riken Keiki EC-600 Carbon Monoxide and OX-600 Oxygen Monitor monitors are ideal for this application.
The EC-600 and OX-600 display Carbon Monoxide or Oxygen alarm levels on an LCD screen. This screen changes colour at each alarm level. This is unique to the Riken Keiki 600 series. HSE Inspectors are increasingly looking for this feature in Gas Monitors in addition to audio and visual alarms.
The EC-600 and OX-600 have two preset alarms. The user can program the alarms to other levels if desired. They have relay outputs for the 1st and 2nd alarms. In addition there is a 4-20mA output. These features allow customers to connect to optional external accessories such as additional sounders beacons etc. Users can also connect a data-logger using this feature as well as drive other external items (see below).
They also come ready to operate from a 24 VDC Power supply (an optional mains adapter provides 240VAC operation if required). In addition a Battery Powered option is available.
Both the EC-600 and OX-600 have the option of an extender remote cable. The extender cable allows the unit to be mounted outside the room with the sensor inside. Staff therefore have the ability to assess the state of the room prior to entry. The Extender Cable is available in lengths from 3 to 20 meters.
The EC-600 and OX-600 provide zero volt relay outputs for 1st and 2nd alarms in addition to a 4-20mA output. They can therefore connect to external accessories such as additional sounder beacons as well as data-loggers using these outputs. In addition outputs can be used with the addition of a simple relay, to control ventilation fans, etc.
A battery backed power supply is an optional extra.
The Riken Keiki SD-1GP is an ideal Monitor for combustible gases in Under Ground Plant Rooms.
The SD-1GP has a built-in display and signal converter. The SD-1GP is a state-of-the-art hazardous area gas detection transmitter. The Instrument has a range of 0-100% LEL which is ideal for this application. Customers use the SD-1GP to measure combustible vapours or gases like methane (CH4) or general hydrocarbons (HC). The SD-1GP is IECEx ATEX certified with a flameproof enclosure.
The SD-1GP has a magnetic tool to control calibrations or maintenance adjustments to complete calibrations without having to open the unit in a hazardous area. A “single man calibration” feature allows for easy and cost effective maintenance.
The SD-1GP is powered by 24VDC and outputs a 4-20mA communication signal using a 3-wire type analogue transmission for external PLC . It can also is used with controllers like the RM-6000, RM-5000 when required ( see below )
Users can easily connect to alarm sounder beacons using the relay contacts. The SD-1GP has a built-in microprocessor that features a self-diagnosis function. Therefore it can automatically zero, which will minimize maintenance work and costs.
Large Underground Plant Rooms require multi-point gas detection for the best safety provision. A multi channel panel in addition to multiple remote detector heads is the most effective as well as cost effective solution.
The RM-5000 is a modular design for monitoring up to 12 channels. In addition a custom panel will accommodate up to 32 Channels. Customers can select from 2 to 12 channels. The modular indicator units slot into this case. Users then connect detector heads for Carbon Monoxide, Oxygen in addition to Combustible gases and other toxic gases. Detector heads that can be used include the SD-1 above and also the GD-A80 , GD-F3-AA as well as the GD-70D Intelligent pumped gas monitors.
An Alarm unit is fitted as standard. Most importantly a 4-20mA and RS-485 outputs are available. These outputs allow connection to external PLC's and Building management systems . This allows Users to monitor every channel and data-log the results. This is a very useful feature. The RM-5000 is 24VDC powered so therefore can be used with the BATPSU-600 battery backed Power supply to ensure continuous operation even in the event of a power failure. A 240VAC version also available as an option.
Small Underground Plant Rooms
Small plant rooms would benefit from a single channel solution. In this application an RM-6000 self contained monitor unit connects to a Detector head. The GD-A80 is ideal as is the GD-F3-AA . The GD-70D intelligent Gas monitor is also an option.
Most Importantly Users can connect to a PLC this way. Customers are able to integrate the system with their building management systems as a result.
Please Contact Weatherall Equipment and Instruments Ltd for more information. We are more than happy to discuss your exact Underground Plant room gas detection requirements.
Plant rooms are often situated underground. This is by design to save space or by virtue of being built into existing basements or chambers. Underground Plant Rooms often contain an array of machinery such as Pumps, Boilers, Sprinkler Systems or Generators.
View StoryDisclaimer : Information given in this article is for general guidance only, and is based on experience and is not intended to replace advise from professional gas sensor location experts and/or gas mapping services, that can provide accurate bespoke design.
For more information about positioning fixed gas detectors, further guidance can be found in the new Gas Mapping Standard BS 60080 (Fire and Gas Mapping ), IEC 60079-29-2 (Explosive atmospheres – Part 29-2: Gas detectors – Selection, installation, use and maintenance of detectors for flammable gases and oxygen), and also EN 45544-4 (Workplace atmospheres – Electrical apparatus used for the direct detection and direct concentration measurement of toxic gases and vapours. Guide for selection, installation, use and maintenance.). Additionally, The CoGDEM ( Council of Gas Detection and Enviromental Monitoring ) Guide to Gas Detection is an excellent general user guide for Gas Detection, written by those in the industry.
View StoryCatalytic combustion sensors are the standard method for detecting combustible gases including Hydrogen, however in order to operate a minimum of about 10% Oxygen needs to be present. IR sensors are a good solution to this problem for measuring most combustible gases in an inert environment where O2 levels are below 10% volume but IR sensors cannot detect Hydrogen.
Riken Keiki offers several solutions around this problem.
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