{"id":73912,"date":"2021-01-21T10:00:16","date_gmt":"2021-01-21T08:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/psaafrica.co.za\/mg\/best-practices-for-gas-sensor-placement-and-installation-copy\/"},"modified":"2021-01-19T10:54:18","modified_gmt":"2021-01-19T08:54:18","slug":"best-practices-for-installing-a-gas-and-flame-detection-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/psaafrica.co.za\/mg\/best-practices-for-installing-a-gas-and-flame-detection-system\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Practices for Installing a Gas and Flame Detection System"},"content":{"rendered":"
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When a customer decides to move ahead with the installation of a new fixed flame and\/or gas detection system, we can\u2019t help but get excited, and not for the reason you might think!\u00a0 As a company centered on safety, we have a passion for properly installed and operating safety systems and see this decision as a commitment to saving lives, and at minimum ensuring their people and contractors may work in safety and that they, their families, and their communities may live in health.\u00a0 On top of that, we always work to ensure our customers attain the maximum benefit and overall top system performance and protection possible.\u00a0 With that being said, here are some best practices for end users to consider getting their new detection system installed, commissioned, and operating to deliver 24\/7 year-round protection.<\/p>\n

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Installation Best Practices<\/h4>\n

Fixed flame and gas system installers should be qualified, licensed, and understand what it is they are installing.\u00a0 This means the installers need comprehensive, detailed documentation on exactly what is being installed, and why!\u00a0 If there is a gap here, we recommend that a small amount of\u00a0installer training\u00a0<\/strong>will go a long way!\u00a0 Be prepared to make this training available with emphasis on your specific system installation requirements. \u00a0In addition, here is a short list of typical physical installation recommendations:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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  1. The system power supply should be properly sized and of proper type\/rating. If a back-up power source is required, the status of this back-up system should be monitored, and it must be properly sized.\u00a0 The power distribution design should also include sub-breakers to enable powering up\/down the system in logical sections rather than just all at once.<\/li>\n
  2. The system should be monitored for ground faults. Even if it is not required by code, it is a best practice for installers to proceed on the premise that ground fault monitoring is required.<\/li>\n
  3. All detector power and signal cabling requirements should be clarified including cable shields and terminations as required. Don\u2019t forget that conduit seals, breathers, & drains are recommended and flexible conduit within 1 meter of a flame detector to enable proper flame detector aiming\/alignment is generally required.<\/li>\n
  4. Detector mounting location structure must be solid and robust. Mounting structure vibration and movement is wholly undesirable and can lead to nuisance alarm problems.\u00a0 Also, all detection instruments should have a field tag attached with an instrument tag number easily visible.<\/li>\n
  5. A flame and gas detector setup table spreadsheet is recommended identifying instrument tag numbers for all detectors, installation location\/elevation using GPS coordinates, programmable settings including sensitivity, time delay setting, latching or non-latching relay configuration, normally energized or normally de-energized relay coils, calibration information (gas detectors), and other configuration settings.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Commissioning Best Practices<\/h4>\n

    After installation is complete and the system and all field devices are powered-up and operating in a 100% fault-free mode, system commissioning can commence. It is important to note that system commissioning and integrated testing are two different concepts, and both must be completed successfully to properly evaluate the flame and gas detection system operation as well as its interaction with other systems.<\/p>\n

    Commissioning is a systematic process that provides documented confirmation that all system functions according to the intended design criteria set forth in project documents and satisfy the owner\u2019s operational needs, including compliance with applicable laws, regulations, codes, and standards. A commissioning checklist is generally developed that spells out specific system functions, critical input and output signals, devices, and operational logic that must be tested and validated before the system can be considered fully commissioned.\u00a0 The commissioning checklist typically includes line item checks for:<\/p>\n