Gas Detectors Within a BMS
Types of harmful gasses and how to detect them
Pretty much everyone is familiar with smoke detectors—but what about gas detectors?
Carbon monoxide is the most well-known type of gas detector, but did you know that there are many other harmful gases that can be detected? Let’s look at the most common gases that may end up in your building, why they’re dangerous, how to prevent them, and what to do when there is a leak.
Types of Gases and Why It’s Important to Detect Each
- Carbon Monoxide (CO): Carbon monoxide poisoning is extremely dangerous, and often goes undetected. CO is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, so without a CO detector, you might be inhaling it without even knowing. CO poisoning causes your organs to suffocate because it displaces the oxygen being delivered to them.
- Natural Gases (ex. Methane): Natural gas leaks are dangerous because they can quickly lead to fires and explosions. Inhaling excessive amounts of natural gas can also lead to poisoning, just like CO.
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC): VOC are gaseous byproducts of products or processes. Things that emit VOS include building materials, cleaning supplies, and office machinery such as printers and copiers. Inhaling VOCs can cause damage to your organs and may even lead to cancer.
- Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S): Hydrogen Sulfide is one of the leading causes of gas-inhalation related workplace deaths in the US. H2S comes from sewage, manure, and well water. It is particularly dangerous because it’s heavier than air, so it quickly collects, especially within confined spaces. H2S is extremely toxic and highly flammable.
Types of Detectors
Including fixed detectors within your BMS is key to keeping your building safe. Fixed detectors are permanently installed, and monitor gas levels within the area around them. Fixed detectors can be placed in areas where there is a high risk for leakage, such as in storage areas or boiler rooms.
Some types of detectors can only pick up on one type of gas, while others can detect multiple. A single-gas monitor detects one type of gas, usually H2S and CO. Multiple-gas monitors can detect up to four or five gases at once.
Preventing Gas Buildup
Two things you can do to prevent gas buildup are to:
- Have equipment and gas lines regularly checked: The best way to prevent leaks is by having a professional check all hazardous equipment to make sure that everything is up to code. You can call your gas company or a plumber to check for leaks and to inspect pipes and valves.
- Maintain adequate airflow: You can make sure that gas buildups don't occur even if there is a leak by maintaining adequate airflow. Ventilation is extremely important within any building, but especially if you’re working with hazardous materials.
If Your Detectors Go Off
If gas detectors do go off, immediately evacuate the building. The next step would be to call 911. Some BMS systems will automatically call the authorities if an alarm is triggered.
If the gas detectors go off, you don’t want to do anything that might create a spark. That includes turning any electrical equipment on or off, including the lights. The best thing to do if your system detects gas is to stop what you’re doing and leave without touching anything.
Gas leaks in the workplace are not only extremely dangerous, but they’re also costly. A gas leak can cause your energy bill to go up, so if you notice that the bill is more expensive than usual, you should be sure to check for leaks.
If you have an undetected leak, pretty much everything is at risk—your building, the people inside of it, and your bank account. That’s why gas detectors are so important to include within your BMS. TC Control Group can install a fully integrated BMS that includes many kinds of gas detectors and other building management systems. Contact us today to learn more.