In August 2018 the new EH40 Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) for Toxic Gases were published. These include a reduction in the limits for Carbon Monoxide (CO) .Carbon Monoxide Long Term (8 Hour) Exposure Limit (LTEL) is now 20ppm and the Short Term (15 Min) Exposure Limit (STEL) is now 100ppm.
In August 2018 the new EH40 Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) for Toxic Gases were published. These include a reduction in the limits for Carbon Monoxide (CO) .Carbon Monoxide Long Term (8 Hour) Exposure Limit (LTEL) is now 20ppm and the Short Term (15 Min) Exposure Limit (STEL) is now 100ppm.
It is important that Gas Detector Alarm levels are set to reflect this new COSHH requirement.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas. Carbon Monoxide is produced by the incomplete burning of fossil fuels.
Modern industrial cooking equipment as well as industrial boilers and even Crematoriums use Combustible Gases . Carbon Monoxide can be produced in these environments and as it is undetectable, people may not realise they are being exposed. Exposure to Carbon Monoxide is often fatal.
The use of Industrial specification Carbon Monoxide Monitors is therefore very important in these applications.
Low cost Domestic type alarms are not suitable for these applications. They are simple alarms not monitors so their alarm levels are not set at EH40 Workplace Exposure Limits. In addition they also lack the robust build quality required for industrial applications.
Terms : LTEL = Long Term Exposure Limit.
STEL = Short Term Exposure Limit.
WEL = Workplace Exposure Limits
| Concentration (ppm) | Effects and Toxicity |
| 20 | EH40 WEL 8 hour limit LTEL |
| 100 | EH40 WEL 15 min Limit STEL |
| 200 | A mild headache as well as mild sick feeling in around 1.5 hours. |
| 400～500 | Headache, nausea as well as ear ringing in around 1 hour. |
| 600～1000 | Loss of consciousness in around 1 ~ 1.5 hours. |
| 1500～2000 | Headache, vertigo in addition to disabling nausea in around 0.5 ~ 1 hour. As well as losing consciousness. |
| 3000～6000 | Headache, vertigo as well as disabling nausea in a few minutes. In addition 10 ~ 30 minutes exposure can lead to death. |
| 10000 | Bring on immediate loss of consciousness and then death |
Industrial Carbon Monoxide Monitors are designed to be much more rugged and long lasting than disposable Domestic alarm units . Industrial Monitors continuously monitor the state of the area. They can also connect to monitor panels and building management systems via Alarm contacts and 4-20mA outputs . Their sensors are long lived and can be replaced when they reach the end of their life meaning Industrial monitors have a much longer life span.
Light Industrial Carbon Monoxide Monitors can also be calibrated to ensure accurate and reliable readings throughout their life . You cannot calibrate domestic units
The Riken Keiki EC-600 is a Standalone Carbon Monoxide ( CO ) Monitor. It is ideal for Light Industrial and workplace monitoring as it comes with the alarm levels pre-set to the EH-40 Workplace Exposure limits which reflect the latest COSHH requirements.
Standalone compact Carbon Monoxide Monitor
The EC-600 displays CO levels on an LCD screen that changes colour at each alarm level. The display flashes Orange for the Caution alarm as well as Red for the final Warning alarm.
This is unique to the Riken Keiki 600 series. EC-600 has a loud internal alarm (85db ) sounder.
The Unit comes with preset alarms set to High ( 20ppm) and High High (100ppm) to reflect the latest EH40 Workplace Exposure Limits . Users are able to program their own alarm levels if desired.
Relay outputs for 1st and 2nd alarms in addition to a 4-20mA output are available. These features allow customers to connect optional accessories such as additional sounders and beacons. It also allows connection to a building management system or PLC
The Instrument comes complete with a 24 VDC Power supply in addition there is a battery version. An optional 240VAC Mains adapter is also available.
The EC-600 has an Electro-Chemical CO sensor. The Sensor has a life expectancy of 3 -5 years. The sensor is replaceable in the field without the need for special tools.
The EC-600 comes with a measurement range of 0-150ppm.
EC-600 comes with Alarms set to the EH40 Workplace Exposure limits. The EC-600 also is able to display a fault alarm
The EC-600 is often mounted outside the room with the sensor inside using a remote sensor housing in addition to an extender cable. This allows staff to ascertain the state of the room prior to entry thus staying safe.
Optional extras that include a Battery backed UPS ( WPSU-24 Series) in addition to sounder beacon(s) (SB-100 ) are available.
The EC-600 is a member of the 600 series of standalone monitors in addition this family includes
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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