Essential for preventing occupational risks, gas detection equipment helps secure many sensitive environments. It is used in sectors such as industry, construction, food processing or chemicals, where the presence of hazardous gases or volatile organic compounds can threaten team health and facility safety. Various portable and fixed models adapt to the specific needs of each activity, helping to ensure compliant, controlled working conditions.
What standards apply to gas detectors?
To guarantee their reliability, these devices must meet several regulatory requirements:
EN 60079 : the standard dedicated to equipment used in explosive atmospheres, essential for safety in hazardous zones.
EN 50104 : specific to oxygen detection equipment, to prevent hazards linked to hypoxia or hyperoxia.
EN 45544 : relates to the detection of toxic gases and vapours, particularly in the chemical industry and laboratories.
EN 50271 : applies to electrical gas-detection equipment, to ensure electronic reliability.
ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU : mandatory for devices intended for potentially explosive atmospheres, with precise design and certification requirements.
Meeting these standards helps integrate equipment into rigorous safety protocols, essential for companies subject to strict regulations.
What types of gas are detected?
Detection devices cover a broad range of gases to suit every professional environment:
Explosive gases : for example natural gas, LPG, hydrocarbons, as well as certain alcohols and solvents, to limit the risk of explosion.
Toxic gases : such as carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide or ammonia, to prevent acute or chronic poisoning.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) : detected in particular in industries using solvents and chemical products.
Refrigerant gases : essential in cold-chain logistics and industrial maintenance sectors.
Carbon dioxide : monitored in enclosed spaces or food-processing industries.
Oxygen deficiency : to guarantee respiratory safety in confined areas.
Some models, such as the Ergos gas detector, offer targeted detection for specific gases or multi-gas monitoring suited to complex environments.
What are the different types of cell used in gas detectors?
Detection technologies incorporate several types of cell, each meeting specific needs:
Catalytic cell: used to detect combustible gases and vapours in atmospheres at risk of explosion.
Electrochemical cell: suited to monitoring toxic or asphyxiating gases as well as oxygen, for precise measurement at low concentration.
Infrared cell: effective for explosive gases, particularly where oxidation could interfere with other technologies.
PID (photoionisation) cell: specialised in detecting volatile organic compounds, very useful in chemicals and waste management.
Semiconductor cell: intended for identifying refrigerant fluid leaks or certain solvents in the cold-chain or maintenance industries.
There are also multi-sensor devices allowing extended protection against several hazards simultaneously in industrial environments.
Can a gas detector be used in an ATEX zone?
Models certified for use in ATEX zones are designed to operate without causing a spark or overheating, even in the presence of explosive mixtures. This equipment complies with the ATEX directive and the EN 60079 standard, limiting any risk of ignition. Their reinforced structure makes them suited to the demands of industrial environments where safety is paramount, whether on oil platforms, chemical sites or hazardous-material storage areas. Devices must always be chosen according to the ATEX classification of the zone and regularly checked to guarantee their effectiveness in real conditions.