A Plan for Life: Correctly Positioning Hydrogen Sulfide Gas Detectors
October 23rd, 2008
You can choose the best available technology to sense hydrogen sulfide (H2S), but if your gas detectors are too few or incorrectly placed, they might never see the hazards and will not provide maximum protection.
How many gas detectors is enough and where should they sit? Experience, job-site analysis, and common sense help determine the answers. Consider the following factors for every installation:
- Because hydrogen sulfide is a highly toxic gas, think about where people will have initial contact with it. That area is a prime location for an H2S gas detector.
- Consider vapor density. Hydrogen sulfide is slightly heavier than clean air. It tends to settle at the lowest available points, unless it is heated, mixed with lighter-than-air gases, or prevented from settling by air movement.
- How rapidly will the hydrogen sulfide gas diffuse into the air? Select a location for the detector as close as practical to an anticipated source.
- Think also about ventilation characteristics of the immediate area. Due to air movement, the gas might accumulate more heavily in one area than another. Detectors should be placed where concentrated accumulations of hydrogen sulfide gas is anticipated. Also, consider the fact that some ventilation systems do not operate continuously, and therefore areas with poor circulation should be evaluated for toxic gas accumulation.
- Place the detector away from potential sources of contamination.
- Prevent the buildup of contaminants on the filter by installing the sensor pointing straight down (in the case of Det-Tronics detectors).
- Make sure the detector is accessible for testing and calibration.
- Avoid exposure to excessive heat or vibration, which can cause premature failure of electronic devices.
Please find more information about detecting hydrogen sulfide gas.
If you have questions, please contact us at rss@detronics.com.
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