DETECTION Professional Issue 2
A publication of SENSIT Technologies
confined space New OSHA Rule:
A Reminder of the Importance of Atmospheric Testing and Monitoring
Product Spotlight:
SENSIT速 P400 Multi-Gas Monitor SCAL-400 Charging & Calibration Station
Trak-It IIIa 速
Heavy-Duty CGI Multi-Gas Monitor
Trak-It速 IIIa is a Combustible Gas Indicator designed for extreme working conditions. This multi-function instrument is ideal for gas leak pin-pointing and confined space applications. Trak-It速 IIIa displays up to 4 gases including O2, CO, H2S and can be configured for combustible gas readings in PPM, LEL and/or percent volume. Learn more at www.gasleaksensors.com
ATEX APPROVED 7WA6
President’s Message
It is hard to believe that 2015 is rapidly approaching the end. I would like to say thank you to all our valued customers for their business and the trust you have in Sensit Technologies. I am humbled by your commitments as well as by our dedicated employees that work tirelessly to provide you the highest quality products and service, second to none. Looking to 2016 and beyond, Sensit Technologies is poised for continued growth. We will bring more game-changing products that allow our customers to work more safely and efficiently. Innovation is the cornerstone to creating the value proposition we bring to the markets we serve.
J. Scott Kleppe President and Chief Executive Officer
This edition of Detection Professional highlights the important changes to the newest OSHA rulings for confined space entry. Every industry we serve is impacted to some degree - some a little more due to the increased reach of what is considered a confined space. Regardless of the inconvenience some of these rulings create, the ultimate goal for OSHA is that everyone goes safely home after their day’s work. This is something we take very seriously not only in our role as an equipment consultant and provider, but also as an employer. Thank you for taking the time to read Detection Professional. It is our way to keep customers up to date with relevant information that impacts their world. Please feel free to forward Detection Profession to others if you would like. We also welcome any comments or questions. All the best,
J. Scott Kleppe President and Chief Executive Officer
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Feature Article
New OSHA Rule for Confined Spaces
In May, 2015, OSHA published its long-awaited final rule on safety requirements for confined spaces in the construction industry, which now includes attics and crawlspaces - areas where HVAC workers are sometimes required to enter. Full enforcement commenced October 2, 2015. The new standard comes 22 years after the initial OSHA rule that covered confined space entry for general industry. However, that original standard did not cover employees entering confined spaces while engaged in construction work. This new rule provides construction workers the same level of protection working in confined spaces as workers in manufacturing and other industries. According to OSHA, nearly 1,000 people are injured in confined spaces at construction sites each year. OSHA believes the new standard will prevent the vast majority of those injuries. Confined spaces (including attics, manholes, and crawl spaces) are not designed for continuous occupancy and are difficult to exit in the event of an
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DETECTION PROFESSIONAL • Issue 2
emergency. People working in confined spaces face life-threatening hazards including toxic substances, electrocutions, explosions, and asphyxiation. While some industrial and commercial HVACR contractors have likely already adapted their work rules to OSHA requirements, residential HVAC contractors will also need to make sure they comply. Why was a new rule developed? The original OSHA rule did not cover employees entering confined spaces while engaged in construction work. It was found that, in general, confined spaces in construction environments were not usually identified or classified prior to the beginning of a project. Additionally, OSHA specifically included crawl spaces and attics after two separate incidents that led to the deaths of three workers. In one case, two workers died while applying primer to floor joists in a crawl space. They were burned when a work lamp ignited vapors from the primer. In a separate incident, a worker was killed in a flash fire when he was spraying foam insulation in an attic with poor ventilation.
A confined space is defined as one that is large enough and configured such that: • An employee can enter and perform work; • It has limited or restricted means for entry or exit; • It is not designed for continuous employee occupancy Confined spaces may require a permit, which means the space contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere. A permit-required space may also contain other recognized safety and health hazards. The space must be tested before entry and continuously monitored when possible with a directreading gas monitor. Once a confined space is identified, it is necessary to test the atmosphere for potential hazards and the components of the traditional “combustion triangle” (oxygen, fuel, and an ignition source). Oxygen levels must be checked using a properly calibrated gas monitor to insure that levels are sufficient to allow work in the confined space and determine if the area is potentially hazardous or explosive. If the workplace is a Permit-Required Confined Space, employers must provide results of any atmospheric testing and inform employees with posted signs. Employers also must ensure that the space is monitored for hazards, especially atmospheric, because multiple contractors may be operating on site. Per the standard, employers must provide pre-entry planning before employees enter the confined space. This plan includes: • having a competent person evaluate the work site for the presence of confined spaces • identifying the means of entry and exit • ensuring that the air is tested before entry for oxygen levels and combustible and toxic gases
Crawl spaces and attics may be considered confined spaces (permit or non-permit-required) under the new standard. For example, workers installing plumbing in a crawl space could be exposed to low oxygen levels or toxic gases and thus need to take the necessary steps to comply. Similarly, workers installing insulation in an attic may be required to have documented safety plans and operate under the OSHA requirements. Employees in these circumstances may need to be outfitted with personal monitors to continuously detect and alert them of potential threats. To help employers, workers, and others understand the new requirements, visit https://www.osha.gov/ confinedspaces/ Visit our website at www.gasleaksensors. com for more information on SENSIT Technologies’ Confined Space monitoring products including: SENSIT P400 multi-gas monitor can display up to 5 gases simultaneously including O2, combustibles, CO, H2S, HCN, NO2, and SO2 SENSIT P100 single gas monitor warns the user of hazardous gases in their working environment. Available sensors include: O2, CO, H2S, HCN, NO2, and SO2. SENSIT GOLD G2 multi-function gas detector displays up to 4 gases simultaneously including O2, combustibles, CO, H2S, or HCN SENSIT GOLD 100 multi-function gas detector displays up to 4 gases simultaneously including O2, combustibles, CO, H2S, or HCN. Trak-It llla combustible gas indicator displays up to 4 gases simultaneously including O2, combustibles, CO, and H2S.
• proper ventilation or evacuation of potential hazards in a permit-required space • determining rescue procedures and deployment of monitoring equipment
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Product Spotlight
SENSIT P400 Personal Monitor Multi Gas Monitor Offers Durability and Industry-Leading Features The SENSIT P400 offers sensor options for monitoring up to five gases simultaneously. Sensor Options include combustibles, hydrogen sulfide, oxygen, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and other toxic gases such as hydrogen cyanide; common in fire smoke.
COMPLIANCE/ STATUS INDICATOR ALARM LEDs
SENSOR AREA SENSOR FILTER
Scott Kleppe, President and CEO, Sensit Technologies, notes “SENSIT® P400 Gas Monitor meets UL and ATEX intrinsic safety standards. The device is easy to use, rugged and highly responsive. During hazardous conditions, users are alerted via three alarm functions: vibration, red flashing LEDs and audible alarm.” The SENSIT P400 offers a large backlit graphic display and heavyduty clip that attaches easily onto a belt or vest. The instrument uses 4 AA Alkaline batteries and is also available with rechargeable NiHM battery pack and charger station. The SENSIT P400 can be configured with an optional Immediate Detection System (IDS) which provides early warning to changes in the users working environment. SENSIT P400 is available with standard 2-year warranty with a 4-year warranty option available. www.gasleaksensors.com/products.html
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DETECTION PROFESSIONAL • Issue 2
FUNCTION BUTTONS SOUNDER GRAPHIC DISPLAY w/BACK LIGHT
BELT CLIP (ON BACK)
Patented
SENSOR SPECIFICATIONS TYPE
RESOLUTION
RANGE
ACCURACY
RESPONSE T90 TIMES
LEL
0.1%
0-100
±10%
< 10 Sec
O2
0.1%
25%
±2% or 10%**
< 10 Sec
CO
1ppm
0-999*
±5ppm or 10%**
< 10 Sec
H2S
1ppm
0-100
±2ppm or 10%**
< 20 Sec
HCN
0.1ppm
0-30
±1ppm or 10%**
< 20 Sec
*CO Extended Range Available 0ppm - 1999ppm. ** Whichever is greater
Product Spotlight
Calibration & Charging Station Improve Compliance, Record Keeping, Efficiency, and Accuracy.
SCAL-400 Station automatically charges, bump tests and calibrates up to five SENSIT速 P400 Gas Monitors simultaneously.
During connection, the station automatically detects when an instrument requires a bump or calibration, and then performs the required test.
SCAL-400 Station features a touch screen display. Use your finger or the included stylus, to access instrument and station information.
SCAL-400 Calibration and Charging Stations come with SCAL-D Data Management Software.
Simply place an instrument onto any of the five slots. Each slot contains charger and communication connections. Testing functions require no user interaction.
SCAL-N (Network) is sold separately with a multiyear license. Use SCAL-N to download data from remotely located Calibration Station(s). Data is stored in SQL Server. www.gasleaksensors.com/products.html
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Case Study
SENSIT P100 provides lifesaving protection against invisible threats The Client An Emergency Medical Service company in Canada serving the region’s 250,000 citizens. The Situation The role of the region’s EMS workers is to provide treatment to those in need of medical care and to provide timely removal and transport of the patient to the next point of care. EMS workers are trained and educated to handle a wide variety of situations and threats that could be encountered in the field. They are called to homes and businesses throughout the region to provide emergency medical care and other services and must be prepared for both obvious and invisible threats to themselves and the public. SENSIT Solution This EMS company has approximately fifty SENSIT P100 CO (Carbon Monoxide) monitors deployed among its crews. The P100 CO is attached to their emergency response bag (oxygen kit) which is carried into every call made by the paramedic. This protects the paramedic and the public from undetected CO that can collect and build to lethal concentrations.
EMS was called to a residence with a homeowner feeling sick. It was learned that the homeowner was using a gas-powered generator in an unsafe way, and actually removed the generator prior to calling 911. The EMS worker said he was no more than 10 steps into the residence when the SENSIT P100 began to alarm. He quickly located the resident, removed her from the building, and updated other responding crews to the danger. The patient had very high carboxyhemoglobin (CO levels in the blood) and was sent to a hyperbaric chamber to accelerate removal of carbon monoxide from her system. The P100 provided the protection needed, not only for the EMS worker, but also for the patient to ensure a good outcome. Results & Impact
In a two week span, the EMS crews were called to two separate factories for employees experiencing nausea and generally unwell conditions. In both cases, upon entering the building, the paramedic’s P100 monitors alarmed. He knew right away that the CO levels were above the 50 ppm alarm threshold set on the monitors. The EMS crew evacuated the buildings and then worked quickly with management to shut down the plant so an investigation could commence by the company to find the source of the unsafe CO levels.
One of the managers of the EMS unit told Detection Professional that he estimated that over the course of the 4 years since they began using the P100, the monitors have identified dangerous levels of CO in a building or home 20 to 30 times. He went on to say, “In my opinion, all paramedics and other first responders should have a CO detecting monitor for personal protection when entering an unknown environment. With its low price and low maintenance cost, it is affordable for even the smallest rescue service companies.”
Another instance during last year’s brutally cold winter; an ice storm caused an electrical blackout in the region.
www.gasleaksensors.com/products.html
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DETECTION PROFESSIONAL • Issue 2
Awareness
TOXIC GAS HAZARDS Oxygen Content of Air: Asphyxia Symptoms for Low Oxygen Levels*
19.5%
18%
15%
May affect physical and intellectual performance without a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s knowledge.
Decreased ability to work strenuously. May impair coordination and may induce symptoms in persons with coronary, pulmonary or circulatory problems.
Respiration deeper, increased pulse rate and impaired coordination, perception and judgment.
10%
8%
6-0%
Mental failure, nausea, vomiting, fainting, ashen face, blue lips.
Loss of consciousness within a few minutes, resuscitation possible if carried out immediately.
Loss of consciousness almost immediate, death ensues, brain damage even if rescued.
12%
Further increase in rate and depth of respiration, further increase in pulse rate, performance failure, giddiness, poor judgment, blue lips.
* Health effects can vary significantly based on age, sex, weight and overall state of health.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Customer Service
Q: When will my order ship? A: SENSIT Technologies typically ships orders within 2 weeks after receipt of order. Need it sooner? Ask about expediting your order. Q: Can my order ship today? A: SENSIT Technologies’ Customer Service Representative will be happy to check about expediting your order. Additional fees apply for “Same Day” shipment. Q: What if I’m not sure which gas detector is best for me? A: Our Customer Service Representative will discuss your application and provide options that best fit your needs. The Customer Service Representative can also help identify the correct part number for your product and provide a formal quotation upon request. Q: Where are the products manufactured? A: Sensit Technologies’ manufacturing facility is located in Valparaiso, Indiana.
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DETECTION PROFESSIONAL • Issue 2
Q: How are shipped?
instruments
and
gases
A: All instruments and accessories ship from SENSIT Technologies in Valparaiso, Indiana. Shipments are made via UPS Ground unless otherwise noted by the customer. Additional fees apply for Next and 2nd day Air. Note that certain calibration gas cannot ship via air freight due to restrictions regarding flammability. A: What is the procedure for returning an instrument for repair or calibration? Q: Contact SENSIT Customer Service at 219-4652700 or go to www.gasleaksensors to download a Return Authorization form. Fill out the form completely and include it in the shipping box with the instrument. Be sure to protect the instrument for shipping. Please include your contact information. Note whether you would like an estimate prior to the repair being completed. Payment for repair and calibration services can be made via invoice or credit card.
The most versatile gas leak detector available today!
SENSIT® GOLD G2
can be used for gas leak surveys and investigations, leak pinpointing, line purging and confined space applications. Displays Up To 4 Gases • LEL (%Volume and PPM Optional) • Oxygen • Carbon Monoxide • Hydrogen Sulfide Selectable Gas Type • Methane (Natural Gas) • Propane
Find Gas Leaks Fast!
Learn more at:
www.gasleaksensors.com