There are numerous gases, some humanly detectable and others not, leaking around in the places we frequent that could be potentially life threatening to us living, breathing beings if they exist in excess of healthy concentrations. Luckily, there are gas detectors and indoor air quality monitoring systems to detect and alert us when levels become undesirable and potentially lethal. But what good are these systems if their readings are unreliable or inaccurate or alarms aren’t going off when they should be? It isn’t uncommon for us to hear that gas detectors that have been installed have never been serviced, even though government regulations such as Occupational Health and Safety Guidelines and many companies’ operation and safety manuals state they should be serviced on a regular basis.
It is important to realize and remember that a gas detector is a safety device and a properly functioning gas detector could be the difference between life and death. The purpose of a gas detector is to monitor and measure potentially lethal gases (or lack of oxygen) in the workplace and other areas people frequent such as supermarkets, hospitals, schools, enclosed parking facilities, indoor pools, ice arenas, and many more. If the gas detector readings reach a predetermined level, other safety precautions are triggered such as turning on visual and audible alarms, starting ventilation fans, shutting down equipment, calling the fire department, etc.
12 months is the ‘gold standard’ of testing frequency advised by most manufacturers, governing bodies and legal regulations including those set out by the HSE, SOLAS and MARPOL. For tankers or vessels with increased levels of stored gas it is advisable to test at more regular intervals, at the very least every 6 months, but this is optional at present.
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