Quantifiable Toxic Gas Detection

About Toxic Gas Detection and Gas Monitoring

Toxic gas detector and toxic gas monitor by Sensidyne

Toxic gas detectors and toxic gas monitors from Sensidyne are designed to protect your plant from gas leaks, warning personnel of potential hazards before they become deadly. Our equipment ensures the maximum reliability in an instrument that is the easiest to install, easiest to use and easiest to maintain.

Sensidyne has been a leader in toxic gas detection for over 25 years developing equipment for common and exotic safety and air quality applications. We offer a wide range of point monitors with hazardous area and performance approvals. In addition to our point gas detectors Sensidyne sells Senscient ELDS^TM Open Path Gas Detectors. Typical open path gas detectors only monitor for combustible gas, however the advanced technology inside the Senscient ELDS enables detection of toxic gases independently of combustible gases or simultaneously in the same unit.

Click here for a Toxic Gas Reference Chart

Specifying a Toxic Gas Detection System

The following is a basic outline of features to look for when specifying point gas monitors or open path detectors for toxic gas.

Fixed Point Toxic Gas Detectors

Installation

Additional costs can quickly add up when installing a point gas monitor. Make certain that the instrument you specify is easy to install and provides you with flexibility such as on board programmable relays, 2 or 3 wire units, a remote mountable sensor head and communication options.

Use

Using a gas detector should not be difficult, make sure your detector has a non-intrusive user interface, a large easy to read screen and a user-friendly menu structure. Point gas monitors that use transportable calibration and store operating parameters on the sensor such as default alarm levels, TWA, gas type and range streamline use of the monitor. Carefully specifying these options will ensure continuous use of the monitor is easy for users of all experience and technical levels.

Maintenance

Maintaining point detectors can be cumbersome if the instrument is not designed with the user in mind. Look for an instrument that has a functional sensor check built in which the transmitter has the ability to perform a bump test on the installed sensor. Make sure the system uses Smart Sensor Technology with transportable calibration that stores sensor data in non-volatile memory on the sensor and with the ability to review the last calibration date, sensor life and diagnostic information from the transmitter screen.

Discover SensAlert Plus - The Advanced Point Gas Monitor, Click Here

Open Path Gas Detector

When specifying an open path gas detector for your plant or facility consider these aspects to ensure optimum protection, reliability and ease of use.

Low Level Detection

Senscient ELDS is the first open path gas detector that is third-party performance verified for selective detection of toxic gases and comes with a no false alarm guarantee. False alarms have typically been a large drawback to installing open path systems.

Harmonic Fingerprint™

Patented Senscient technique uses sophisticated microprocessors and algorithms that are integrated deep into the harmonics of the open path signal. Harmonic Fingerprinting enables unique and interference-free identification of the target gas (and ONLY the target gas!).

Remote Functionality Tests

Test filters and gassing cells are methods of testing open path gas detectors used by previous generation systems; these methods required a technician to be physically present and introduced certain dangers. Senscient ELDS open path gas detectors use a patented method of remote functionality testing called SimuGas™. Since SimuGas testing can be performed remotely from the control room or PLC, technicians are not required to physically visit the unit to perform functionality tests.

Performance Approval

Open path gas detection systems are installed to protect life, property and processes - in these applications there is no room for error. Make certain that your open path gas detection system is both hazardous area approved as well as performance approved to the most current global industry standards and the system operates to the published specifications. Sensidyne recommends the specification of open path systems that attain FM & ATEX performance and hazardous area approval.

To learn more about Senscient ELDS Open Path Gas Detection Click Here

Select an application from the list below:

Toxic Vapors & Gases Reference Chart

GAS OR LIQUID	GAS OR VAPOR DATA¹			ACGIH²		OSHA²	IDLH²PPM	CRITICAL HEALTH EFFECTS³	STANDARDS & REGULATIONS⁴	OSHA THRESHOLD QUANTITY⁵	EPA THRESHOLD QUANTITY⁵
	Chemical Formula	Relative Density	LEL % Vol.	TWA PPM	STEL PPM	PEL PPM
	Chemical Formula	Relative Density	LEL % Vol.	TWA PPM	STEL PPM	PEL PPM
Ammonia, Anhydrous	NH₃	0.6	15.0	25	35	50	300	Irritant	29 CFR 1910.119A, 40 CFR 68	10,000 lbs	10,000 lbs
Ammonia Solutions	>44% NH3 by Weight			25	35	50	300	Irritant	29 CFR 1910.119A, 40 CFR 68	15,000 lbs
Arsine	AsH₃	2.7	n/a	0.05	- -	0.05	3	Blood, Kidney	29 CFR 1910.119A, 40 CFR 68	100 lbs	1,000 lbs
Boron Trichloride	BCl₃	4.1	n/a	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	29 CFR 1910.119A, 40 CFR 68	2,500 lbs	5,000 lbs
Bromine	Br₂	0.6	n/a	0.10	0.20	0.10	3	Irritant	29 CFR 1910.119A, 40 CFR 68	10,000 lbs	10,000 lbs
Carbon Dioxide	CO₂	1.5	n/a	5,000	30,000	5,000	40,000	Asphyxiant
Carbon Disulfide	CS₂	2.6	2.0	10	- -	20	500	CVS, CNS, Neuropathy	40 CFR 68		20,000 lbs
Carbon Monoxide	CO	1.0	12.5	25	- -	50	1200	Anoxia, CVS, CNS	40 CFR 68		10,000 lbs
Chlorine	Cl₂	2.5	n/a	0.5	1.0	1.0	10	Irritant	29 CFR 1910.119A, 40 CFR 68	1,500 lbs	2,500 lbs
Chlorine Dioxide	ClO₂	2.3	n/a	0.1	0.3	0.1	5	Irritant, Bronchitis	29 CFR 1910.119A, 40 CFR 68	1,000 lbs	1,000 lbs
Diborane	B₂H₆	2.9	n/a	0.10	- -	0.10	15	CNS, Pulmonary	29 CFR 1910.119A, 40 CFR 68	100 lbs	2,500 lbs
Dichloro-silane	SiH₄Cl₂	3.5	n/a	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	29 CFR 1910.119A, 40 CFR 68	2,500 lbs	10,000 lbs
Ethylene Oxide	CH₂OCH₂	1.5	3.0	1.0	- -	1.0	800	Lung, Liver, Kidney, Blood	29 CFR 1910.119A, 40 CFR 68	5,000 lbs	10,000 lbs
Fluorine	F₂	1.3	n/a	1.0	2.0	0.1	25	Irritant	29 CFR 1910.119A, 40 CFR 68	1,000 lbs	1,000 lbs
Germane	GeH₄	2.7	n/a	0.2	- -	- -	- -	- -
Hydrazine	N₂H₄	1.1	2.9	0.0	- -	1.0	50	Irritant, Liver	40 CFR 68		15,000 lbs
Hydrogen Bromide	HBr	2.8	n/a	- -	3 C	3.00	3	Irritant	29 CFR 1910.119A, 40 CFR 68	1,500 lbs	10,000 lbs
Hydrogen Chloride	HCl	1.3	n/a	- -	5 C	5 C	50	Irritant, Corrosive	29 CFR 1910.119A, 40 CFR 68	5,000 lbs	5,000 lbs
Hydrogen Cyanide	HCN	0.9	5.6	- -	4.7 C	10.00	50	CNS, Irritant, Anoxia, Lung	29 CFR 1910.119A, 40 CFR 68	1,000 lbs	2,500 lbs
Hydrogen Fluoride	HF	0.7	n/a	3	3 C	3	30	Irritation, Bones, Teeth	29 CFR 1910.119A, 40 CFR 68	1,000 lbs	1,000 lbs
Hydrogen Peroxide	H₂O₂	1.2	n/a	1.0	- -	1.00	75	Irritation, Pulmonary Edema	29 CFR 1910.119A	7,500 lbs
Hydrogen Sulfide	H₂S	1.2	4.0	10	15	20 C	100	Sudden Death, Irritation, CNS	29 CFR 1910.119A, 40 CFR 68	1,500 lbs	10,000 lbs
Nitric Oxide	NO	1.0	n/a	25.0	- -	25.00	100	Anoxia, Irritation, Cyanosis	29 CFR 1910.119A, 40 CFR 68	250 lbs	10,000 lbs
Nitrogen Dioxide	N₂O	2.6	n/a	3	5	5	20	Irritation, Pulmonary Edema	29 CFR 1910.119A	250 lbs
Oxygen Deficiency	O₂	0.9	n/a	- -	- -	<19.5%	<18%	Asphyxiation	29 CFR 1910.146, Appendix C.
Oxygen Enrichment	O₂	0.9	n/a	- -	- -	>23.5%	- -	Fire	29 CFR 1910.104, NFPA 53M
Ozone	O₃	1.7	n/a	0.1	- -	0.10	5	Pulmonary Function, Irritatant	29 CFR 1910.119A	100 lbs
Phosgene	COCl₂	3.4	n/a	0.1	- -	0.1	2	Irritant, Pulmonary Function	29 CFR 1910.119A, 40 CFR 68	100 lbs	500 lbs
Phosphine	PH₃	1.2	1 - 2.0	0.3	1.0	0.30	50	Irritation, CNS, GI	29 CFR 1910.119A, 40 CFR 68	100 lbs	5,000 lbs
Silane	SiH₄	1.3	Pyrophoric	5	- -	- -	- -	Irritant	40 CFR 68		10,000 lbs
Styrene	C₈H₈	3.6	0.9	20.0	40	10.00	700	Neurotoxicity, Irritant	29 CFR 1910.106, NFPA 30
Sulfur Dioxide	SO₂	2.3	n/a	2	5	5	100	Irritant	29 CFR 1910.119 Appendix A, 40 CFR 68	1,000 lbs	5,000 lbs

1 Density is relative to air of 1.0. Position sensors accordingly.
2 TWA: Threshold Limit Value for the Time Weighted Average concentration for an 8 hour workday of a 40 hour work week, to which a worker can be exposed continuously without adverse affect.
   STEL: Threshold Limit Value for the Short Term Exposure Limit, typically 15 minutes, to which a worker may be exposed without ill affects.
   C: The maximum allowable concentration to which one may be exposed.
   LEL is the lowest percent by volume at which ignition can occur. From NFPA 325.
   All TLV-TWA, TLV-STEL and IDLH data are from ACGIH or NIOSH. 2 OSHA
   PEL: Same as TLV-TWA definition but regulated by law. See 29 CFR 1910.1000, Tables Z1 and Z2.
3 Please consult ACGIH 2008 TLVs and BEIs for Critical Effects definitions.
4 CFRs are available at www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/cfr-table-search. NFPA standards are at www.nfpa.org.
5 Threshold Quantity: The amount of a chemical that can be present before being required to comply with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.119, Process Safety Management, or the EPA Risk Management Program, 40 CFR 68.
   Terms - n/a: not applicable, - -: not given, <: Less than or equal to, >: Greater than or equal to,
   Gas: Substance is a gas at ambient temps. Note: The user of this table is responsible for verifyng the accuracy of the compliled information!