DETECTION Professional Issue 4
A publication of SENSIT Technologies
Residential Energy Audits New product from SENSIT Technologies meets the need
ULTRA-TRAC® APL WITH 3D PIPE MAPPING
LOCATE PIPELINES W I T H
B R O K E N
O R
M I S S I N G
T R A C E R
W I R E
NEW!
ULTRA-TRAC® APL is easy to use and locates piping systems in minutes. Gas, water and sewer laterals are easily traced using state-of-the-art acoustic technology.
3D Pipe Mapping allows users to access and view a comprehensive collection of data in a graphical format to clearly identify piping systems.
The locator works on asphalt, concrete, grass, gravel and soil and finds all types of pipe; metallic, concrete, and plastic.
Learn more at: www.gasleaksensors.com
Coming Soon ULTRA-TRAC APL will soon feature an integrated tablet allowing the user to view scan data and produce 3D images of the surveyed underground area. The APL’s on-board software will feature improved gain correction to eliminate false-positives. To learn more, check out our website at www.gasleaksensors.com
President’s Message Wow, it is hard to believe that we’re already past the halfway point of 2016. SENSIT continues to propel forward thanks to the dedication of our staff, our representatives in the field, and of course our valued customers. As part of our strategy to better serve you, we will move into our expanded offices and training center by midAugust. We are adding more room and resources to better serve our visiting clients and of course the additions to administrative, product management and engineering staff. It has been nothing short of amazing to see the growth in the 30+ years I have been a part of Sensit.
J. Scott Kleppe President and Chief Executive Officer
We are on the cusp of launching several exciting products that will be formally announced in the next month or so. • The Ultra-Trac APL has gone through a continued transformation and now includes an integrated tablet computer that replaces the standard display for a much improved user experience. • The SENSIT GLT, our gasless training system, will allow a trainer to simulate gas detector responses from a tablet to a specially equipped SENSIT Gold G2. This system has lifelike sensor simulation (gas, oxygen, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide) and a customizable OQ test and file system for the employee being tested. • SENSIT Gold 1200+, a product approved by the Building Performance Institute, allows energy auditors to comply with the newest standards when testing piping and fuel gas fired systems. A big step in creating consistent testing processes, results and safety. This edition of DETECTION PROFESSIONAL features information about the development of the SENSIT Gold 1200+ and intrinsic safety. There are always a lot of questions from our clients around this subject because the requirements can be confusing. SENSIT has decades of experience understanding the requirements and the standards even as they continue to evolve. Thank you again for your business and taking the time to read the DETECTION PROFESSIONAL. We hope you find the information valuable. Please feel free to send this to others and of course, please let us know if you have any suggestions or comments. All the best,
J. Scott Kleppe President and Chief Executive Officer
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Feature Article New SENSIT Product First to Meet New Industry Standard
At this year’s AHR Expo in Orlando, Scott Kleppe, President and CEO of Sensit Technologies and Bill Spohn, President and CEO of TruTech Tools, LTD, met to discuss the trends shaping the markets served by their respective companies. Both Kleppe and Spohn have been heavily involved with standards committees for decades, but in different industry circles. A key part of their discussion revolved around recent changes to the BPI 1200 Standard which governs residential energy audits for efficiency and weatherization. The new BPI 1200 standard includes the requirement that gas leak detectors be intrinsically safe and provide either an alarm or display when conditions exceed 10% LEL. In addition, the standard requires CO-AirFree measurements in flue gas from instruments that include a filter to remove the cross interferent gas, Nitric Oxide (NO), found in nearly every
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flue gas sample. Finally, the standard includes a requirement to measure ambient CO levels for worker and occupant safety. Kleppe and Spohn’s discussion turned to the recent OSHA ruling which classifies attics and crawlspaces as confined spaces. They both recognized that residential HVACR contractors and building performance contractors (which includes energy auditors and weatherization personnel) would need to make sure they comply, in many cases, with both the new BPI-1200 standard and OSHA. As the discussion moved along, Kleppe very quickly realized the “synergies in the sensors” and overlap of the applications and sketched out the concept for the new Sensit Gold EXCO+1200 instrument that launches this month (July 2016).
The SENSIT Gold EXCO+1200 is born During product development, Spohn and the team at TruTech Tools, LTD were pleased to take part in the feedback of the product design and functionality. In fact, an application guide written by TruTech Tools, LTD that is specific to the EXCO+1200 will ship with every unit from TruTech and be available as a free download on the TruTech website. As its name suggests, the product is built to be a multipurpose device covering the testing requirements of the BPI 1200 standard, as well as the typical confined space entry requirements for residential HVACR and Building Performance work. These tests include features such as: • Intrinsically safe gas leakage testing (BPI 1200) • Gas %LEL display and alarm (BPI 1200 and OSHA) • CO-AirFree Testing with NOx filter (BPI 1200) • Ambient CO Monitor and Alarm (BPI 1200 and OSHA) • Oxygen depletion Monitoring (OSHA) Impactful design The Sensit GOLD is a very impactful product for the building performance industry since it can eliminate the need to purchase, carry and maintain multiple instruments costing up to $2400 - for about half that price. A broad group of 45 stakeholders (including the Gas Technology Institute, the American Gas Association, the Propane Gas Association of New England, practitioners, utilities, manufacturers, researchers and others) were involved in the ANSIcompliant development of the BPI-1200 standard. The new standard goes a long way in aligning roles and harmonizing the way testing is done via specifically defined equipment and procedures. It is also appropriate that SENSIT Technologies, a trusted provider to the utility industry for decades, has developed this product, bringing the product instant credibility via its pedigree.
What is the BPI 1200 Standard? For many homeowners and tenants, energy bills account for far too much of the monthly budget. These homes often suffer from performance problems ranging from inflated energy consumption to poor thermal comfort to indoor air quality issues. These are problems that product rebate programs, regular contractors or even the best do-it-yourself homeowner cannot solve. The Building Performance Institute (BPI) is a national standards development organization for residential energy efficiency and weatherization retrofit work. BPI uses an open, transparent, consensusbased process to develop standards built on sound building science. Since 1994, The Building Performance Institute (BPI) has produced standards for residential energy efficiency and weatherization retrofit work. BPI has always placed a high regard on contractor and occupant safety. To that end, BPI 1200 was recently published as an ANSI standard. This Home Energy Auditing Standard defines the requirements for a buildingContinued on next page
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science-based evaluation of existing detached single-family dwellings and townhouses. It provides energy efficiency auditors and contractors with a consistent point of reference for how to conduct home energy audits. The BPI-1200 standard (more formally known as ANSI/BPI-1200-S-2015 Standard Practice for Basic Analysis of Buildings) defines the minimum criteria and specific procedures for conducting residential energy audits and related diagnostic tests. The diagnostic tests also cover occupant health and safety. Hence, there are considerations for building performance, energy audit and weatherization personnel to conduct testing for fuel gas leakage, flue gas CO levels and dangerous levels of ambient CO. Unlike OSHA, which enforces rules by inspection, BPI-1200 is enforced by quality assurance and oversight of and by program managers that are required to comply with the BPI standards
About the Author Bill Spohn is President and CEO of TruTech Tools LTD. With more than 25 years of experience in the design and marketing of a wide variety of test and measurement equipment, Bill is a sought-after industry expert and consultant in building science, weatherization, instrumentation, carbon monoxide, heat exchangers, and other HVACR related issues. He has worked on BPI, RESNET, GAMA, AHRI, OMA, RSES, NATE, and ACCA Technical Committees, and holds three US patents in instrumentation design. Bill holds a BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Rochester and is a registered Professional Engineer (PE). Contact Info: Bill Spohn Phone: 412-721-5544 Email: Bill@TruTechTools.com
Q&A
An interpretation regarding the need to monitor for CO during combustion testing Question: In order to meet the minimum requirements of the BPI 1200 standard referenced above, are technicians in the field required to have a dedicated CO monitoring device (independent of any CO monitoring devices used to perform appliance testing) on their person at all times? Interpretation: Yes. The BPI Building Analyst Professional standard requires that carbon monoxide levels in the ambient air around the technician be monitored throughout all combustion safety tests (CST). In order to do this, the technician needs two separate devices: the combustion analyzer and a dedicated ambient CO monitor. (If the technician is using only the combustion analyzer, it is not measuring the ambient air when it is in the flue.) Additionally, while the standard only specifies continuous ambient CO monitoring during the CST, best practice would be to monitor ambient CO levels at all times while in the work environment.
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Question: If a dedicated device is required, would any device measuring ambient CO levels suffice? Interpretation: Any device measuring ambient CO levels would suffice as long as it is dedicated for ambient CO monitoring only and is operated in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications. Source: http://www.bpi.org/files/pdf/BA%20Interpretation%20 re%20Ambient%20CO%20Monitoring.pdf
Meets The New BPI 1200 Standard
SENSIT® GOLD EXCO+1200 The revised BPI 1200 Standard for residential energy audits and testing requires: 3 Digital Display for LEL 3 Audible Tick Rate 3 Preset Alarms
3 0 to 2000 ppm CO Readings 3 Calculate and Display CO Air Free 3 UL 913 Certification
SENSIT® GOLD EXCO+1200 can also be used as an OSHA-compliant confined space monitor.
Displays 3 Gases • LEL (Combustibles) • Oxygen • Carbon Monoxide (PPM) • Air Free CO Readings (CF)
As an investigative tool, the LEL sensor is designed to find the source of combustible gas leaks fast. Applications • Combustible Gas Leak Detection • Carbon Monoxide Investigations • Confined Space Monitoring • Combustible Gas Measurements • BPI 1200 Energy Audits You can depend on the SENSIT® GOLD EXCO+1200 to provide the safety and accuracy you need.
MADE IN USA
Standard Features • UL 913 Certified • Audible Tick Leak Detection • Lowest Cost, Long Life Sensors • Internal Pump • Water/Dust Filter • Field Calibration • Calibration Alert • Session Log • Calibration Memory • Infrared Download • Audible/Visual Alarms • Bright LCD Display • Programmable Auto Shut Off www.gasleaksensors.com
Brazil’s largest gas utility gets “win-win” using SENSIT® VMD
ComGas, Brazil’s largest natural gas distribution company, recently invested in the SENSIT VMD and is seeing a great return on investment. ComGas reports that the VMD helps them not only improve operational efficiency, but more importantly helps increase the safety and integrity of gas delivery to its customers. ComGas’ leak detection fleet currently includes three SENSIT VMDs. SENSIT VMD is a vehicle-mounted survey instrument used to detect natural gas leaks along underground pipelines. SENSIT VMD is methane-specific and uses the latest technology in open path infrared absorption spectroscopy to increase the efficiency and accuracy of mobile methane leak surveys. SENSIT VMD’s response is nearly instantaneous and it continuously logs gas leak survey information and maps GPS coordinates while the vehicle travels its route. ComGas staffs its leak survey trucks with two people. Vehicle leak surveys are typically conducted at night when streets are less congested. While the driver focuses on the route, the second worker watches the mounted tablet computer which connects to the VMD via Bluetooth communication. Typical driving speed for ComGas vehicles outfitted with VMDs is
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about 30 mph. Personnel report that they have been able to easily locate leaks, even ones that are several meters off of the path of gas mains and service lines. In one recent instance, the leak crew was puzzled when the VMD signaled a leak along their route but they could not pinpoint it along the main or nearby service lines. Further examination revealed a fairly significant leak inside a house adjacent to where the VMD detected the leak. In another case, the VMD detected a leak at a gas station. Further investigation revealed that the gas meter at the gas station had been bypassed, presumably to steal natural gas. The bypass was leaking due to improperly assembled fittings and the VMD identified this problem. In both cases, ComGas quickly repaired the situations and improved the safety of the community. Personnel at ComGas stated that the SENSIT VMD finds many leaks that their previous equipment overlooked. ComGas has more than 5,000 miles of natural gas pipeline and serves more than 1 million customers in cities across the state of Sao Paulo in Brazil. For more information on the SENSIT VMD, visit the website at www.gasleaksensors.com
Conduct Fast and Accurate Mobile Leak Surveys with SENSITÂŽ VMD SENSIT VMD is a state-of-the-art vehicle-mounted methane detector for quickly and accurately surveying gas piping systems. SENSIT VMD detects methane as low as 1 ppm per meter for real time detection and logging - featuring GPS and data interface with Google Earth. Turn any vehicle with a front hitch into a survey instrument!
Ready For On and Off-Road
Instantaneous Response Time
Set-up in Minutes
Adjustable Height for Safety
MADE IN USA
Visit our website to learn more and request a demonstration.
Innovative Detection Solutions www.gasleaksensors.com
Beyond Intrinsic Safety
When work needs to happen in potentially hazardous locations, there are strict requirements governing materials, construction, and design. To prevent inadvertent ignition of flammable gases and vapors by electrical equipment, the two most common methods of protection are “Explosion Proof” and “Intrinsically Safe.” In today’s world, personnel that deal with hazardous gas leak detection and mitigation need to be aware of their instrument’s intrinsic safety ratings. These ratings are important and often misunderstood. One common misconception is that intrinsically safe means explosion proof. They are not the same. An “explosion proof“ classification means that the product’s housing has been engineered and constructed to contain a flash or explosion. Product housings are usually made of cast aluminum or stainless steel and are of sufficient mass and strength
to safely contain an explosion should flammable gases or vapors penetrate the housing and the internal electronics or wiring cause an ignition. An “intrinsically safe” classification and design means that the product’s electronic circuit and its wiring will not cause sparking or arcing, cannot store sufficient energy to ignite a flammable gas or vapor, and cannot produce a surface temperature high enough to cause ignition. By definition, an Intrinsically Safe design restricts the amount of energy and heat that any inner component can create when the instrument is exposed to specific gas hazards. An intrinsically safe design does not allow a flame to propagate outside the instrument housing area. In the United States, the common safety rating is UL913. This instrument safety standard was developed by Underwriters Laboratories and Continued on next page
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DETECTION PROFESSIONAL • Issue 4
Continued: Beyond Intrinsic Safety
The North American classifications for hazardous locations as related to flammable gases and vapors: Class I: Gases and vapors Division 1: Gases or vapors are usually present and/or may be present at any time in sufficient concentrations for an explosion hazard. Division 2: Gases or vapors are not normally present and are present only in the event of a leak in some kind of containment vessel or piping, again in potentially hazardous concentrations. Groups A, B, C, D: Groups of atmospheres categorized by the volatility and/or ignition temperatures. “A” is the most hazardous and “D” is the least hazardous group for gases and vapors. Group A: Atmospheres containing acetylene. Group B: Atmospheres containing hydrogen or gases or vapors of equivalent hazard. Group C: Atmospheres containing ethyl-ether vapors, ethylene, or cyclo-propane. Group D: Atmospheres containing gasoline, hexane, naptha, benzene, butane, propane, alcohol, acetone, benzol, lacquer solvent vapors, or natural gas (methane).
was developed by Underwriters Laboratories and pertains to specific hazardous locations in accordance with the requirements of the National Electrical Code, NFPA 70. The UL913 standard is used by a dozen approval organizations (Nationally Recognized Testing Labs or NRTL’s) as the basis for product approval in the US. While there are numerous editions of the UL913 standard, the most common is the 7th edition. This edition allows many older products developed under previous editions to retain “grandfathered” approvals and continue to be safe to use. In Canada, safety standards are governed by CSA, the Canadian Standards Association; an internationally-accredited standards development, testing, and certification organization. In Europe, the recognized standard is ATEX. Other countries have adopted an international scheme known as IECEx. Unfortunately, achieving approval
certification under one organization does not automatically equate to approval in another. The bottom line is that instruments need to be safe in their area of intended use and not cause or contribute to an incident when employees enter and work in hazardous environments. The design concepts applied for instruments used in a hazardous environment is a science of its own. At SENSIT, our engineering team works tirelessly to meet and exceed domestic and internationally recognized safety standards for our products. There are many ways to make a product safe. It is always good to consult with the manufacturer to determine a particular product’s rating. SENSIT Technologies, for example, has numerous approvals from around the globe and has a deep understanding of the requirements in a practical sense.
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