Hazardous Gas Leakage Detection

Gases can be dangerous to humans, dangerous when we inhale toxic gases, dangerous when flammable gases causes fire and explosions. Hence wherever such gases are used or stored in a industrial, commercial and domestic environment, detecting their leakage became the top priority so any untoward incidents can be avoided. Toxic gases are also produced in some process for eg. IC engine working produces toxic CO, paint industries produces explosive gases. There are around 165 types of flammable gases 68 types of toxic gases hazardous to human !

Oxygen, which is the most important gas for us, is equally dangerous when in excess or less. Hence detecting exact percentage of O2 in air is very important.

Typical areas where gas detection is required.

  1. Oil and gas industries

Flammable - Hydrocarbon gases

Toxic - Hydrogen Sulfide, Carbon Monoxide


  1. Electronics manufacturing

Flammable - Flammable: Hydrogen, Isopropyl Alcohol, Methane

Toxic - HCl, AsH3, BCl3, PH3, CO, HF, O3, H2Cl2Si, TEOS, C4F6, C5F8, GeH4, NH3, NO2 and O2 Deficiency.


  1. Chemical plants

Flammable - General Hydrocarbons

Toxic - Various including Hydrogen Sulfide, Hydrogen Fluoride and Ammonia


  1. Power stations

Flammable - Natural Gas, Hydrogen

Toxic - Carbon Monoxide, SOx, NOx and Oxygen deficiency.


  1. Water treatment plants

Flammable - Methane, Solvent vapours

Toxic - Hydrogen Sulfide, Carbon Dioxide, Chlorine, Sulfur Dioxide, Ozone


  1. Hospitals

Flammable - Methane, Hydrogen

Toxic - Carbon Monoxide, Chlorine, Ammonia, Ethylene oxide and Oxygen deficiency , Oxygen enrichment


Information source - Honeywell Analytics

Toxic gas detection

Toxic detectors are available for most of the toxic gases which are either stored or produced in a industrial environment. Detectors highly sensitive of detecting of few ppm of gas concentrations are available. ATEX approved detectors available catering to industrial standards.

Explosive or flammable gas detection

Sensor detecting hydrocarbons, hydrogen, alcohol etc are available in variety of ranges. These detectors are all intrinsically safe, hence they can be directly installed in the explosive environment which will be created after gas leak. ATEX approved detectors available catering to industrial standards.

Asphyxiant (oxygen deficiency) detection

Oxygen can be displaced or consumed by another gases, creating a confined space increasing the risk of suffocation. Processes like combustion, oxidation or chemical reactions can consume oxygen. Normal ambient air contains an oxygen concentration of 20.9% v/v. When the oxygen level dips below 19.5% v/v, the air is considered oxygen- deficient. Oxygen concentrations below 16% v/v are considered unsafe for humans.

O2 sensors detects the O2 level in the environment.

Oxygen enrichment

Increase in O2 levels either from oxygen leak or other sources flammability of materials and gases increases. At levels of 24% O2 level items such as clothing can spontaneously combust. Oxyacetylene welding equipment combines oxygen and acetylene gas to produce an extremely high temperature. Other areas where hazards may arise from oxygen enriched atmospheres include areas manufacturing or storing rocket propulsion systems, products used for bleaching in the pulp and paper industry and clean water treatment facilities.

O2 sensors detects the O2 level in the environment.

Portable gas detector

Portable gas detectors are handy devices to check for any gas leakages and O2 deficiency. Portable gas detectors can come upto four gas sensors in a handy package. Portable gas detectors are available in a single or multi gas version. Multi gas units usually contain up to four different gas sensors (typically oxygen, flammable, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulphide). They are supplied with extension pipes for easy and safe sampling.