Modern day canaries
August 1st 2005 Poisonous gases are a daily risk for workers in many industries, making gas detection equipment essential. BW Technologies manufactures a wide range of products to detect and measure dangerous atmospheric contaminants and conditions such as combustible gas and vapour accumulations, oxygen deficiencies and toxic gases.
The company provides both portable and fixed gas detection equipment and attributes its rapid growth to its ‘more for less’ philosophy.
Each new generation of BW product is designed to offer improved features and capabilities at ever lower prices.
This approach extends to the new GasAlertClip Extreme 3 that detects H2S and CO. With prices starting at £150, the maintenance-free, three year gas detector is designed to offer low cost of ownership.
The instrument comes with a built-in concussion-proof boot, water resistant housing and datalogging capability. There are three alarm levels, each with vibrating, audible and visual alarms and all with an easy-to-use single button interface. All accessories and support offered for the company’s original GasAlertClip Extreme will be available for the new, three-year version.
Five-gas detector BW Technologies is very proud of its GasAlertMicro 5, an instrument that provides simultaneous monitoring of up to five gases, including oxygen, combustibles and a range of toxic gases. The lightweight, compact and water-resistant design delivers cutting edge protection and is well suited for a wide range of applications, including hazmat response, confined space entry, search and rescue, and postinspection fire safety.
Features include: • high output audible/visual/vibrator alarms; • low, high, TWA (time-weighted average) and STEL (short-term exposure limit) alarm settings; • large alpha-numeric LCD; two LEL measuring units (0 to 100% lel and 0 to 5% by volume methane); • built-in concussion-proof boot; • optional datalogging capabilities; • water-resistant design; • optional motorised pump.
Field-selectable user-options allow the GasAlertMicro 5 to be customised to virtually any environment.
Calibration due dates and alarm settings can be configured to meet specific industry requirements, and the pass-code protect function ensures tamper-proof operation by preventing unauthorised users from accessing calibration options.
The instrument’s flexible power option (three AA alkaline or a rechargeable battery pack) reduces downtime and provides up to 20 hours of continuous use. PID Version Compact and low weight (370 grams), the GasAlertMicro 5 PID (Photoionization Detector) is water-resistant and has an integral concussion-proof enclosure. It provides simultaneous monitoring of up to five gases, including oxygen, combustibles, a range of toxic gases and VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Suitable for a diverse range of applications, including hazmat response, confined space entry, search and rescue and post-inspection fire safety, the instrument provides 95dB alarm tone, two bright, wide-angled alarm bars and internal vibrating alarm to alert personnel in high noise areas.
Features include: • Large, continuous alpha-numeric LCD that shows simultaneous gas concentrations for five gases; • 0 to 1000ppm measurement of VOCs; • Integral motorised pump option for remote sampling; • Four alarm levels: instantaneous Low and High alarm for all gases; TWA and STEL for VOCs and toxic gases; • Optional data-logging capabilities.
User-selectable field options include: PID correction factor, language selection, confidence beep, span level, set TWA/STEL calculation choice, set calibration due date, latching alarm, ‘safe’ display function, stealth mode, and selectable ppm resolution for some gases (for example SO2 0.1ppm). A pass code protect function ensures tamperproof operation by preventing unauthorised users from accessing calibration options. GasAlertMicro 5 PID’s flexible power option (three AA alkaline or a rechargeable battery pack) helps to reduce downtime and provides up to 20 hours of continuous use. Prices start at £865.
Cleaning kit Contaminants can build up on the UV lamp lens and decrease the sensitivity of the PID sensor. The UV lamp must be cleaned regularly to ensure accurate measurements. Accordingly, BW Technologies offers a PID cleaning kit that comprises: polishing compound, finger cots, cotton swabs, isopropyl alcohol pads, lint-free dry wipes and instruction sheet. Cleaning frequency is determined by use.
Automated instrument docking station BW Technologies’ new MicroDock II automated calibration, test and record storage system, is a cost-effective way to manage calibration and bump-testing of the GasAlertMicro 5 PID, GasAlertMicro 5, GasAlertMicro, GasAlertClip Extreme, GasAlertClip Extreme 3 and GasAlert Extreme. Fully portable and easily expandable, the MicroDock II requires no computer and provides simultaneous management of up to 10 docking units.
Costs and time requirements for routine maintenance are reduced through the MicroDock II’s sophisticated automatic calibration and test procedures. Instrument records are stored for easy retrieval in the MicroDock II and in each individual gas detector.
Features include: • Fully automatic, hands-free calibration and functional bump test; • Automatic verification of the performance of audible and visual alarms; • Self-contained unit that is low weight and portable.
Additional, self contained docking modules can be added to the system via simple, plug-in connections. No external pressure transducers or gas lines are necessary. Multiple Microdock II systems can be connected via a LAN.
The increased availability of affordable gas detectors has helped to increase worker safety by enabling companies to equip all employees who are subject to potential gas exposure with safety instruments, rather than just a few specialists.
A catalogue has details of BW Technologies’ gas detection products. For a free copy, please contact the company – Tel: 01869 233004 – or use the reader enquiry number below. More articles from B W Europe Ltd: | 
