New Ninth Edition Gas Detection Handbook Helps Protect People, Equipment and Plants in Hazardous Industries

Summary

Dec. 6, 2022 - Industrial process and safety engineers along with plant managers and others responsible for fixed gas detection sensors and systems will want to obtain their free copy of the new ninth edition of the MSA Gas Detection Handbook.

The MSA Gas Detection Handbook represents over 100-years of collective MSA Safety fixed gas detection expertise and innovation from the global leader in gas detection. The gas detection experts at MSA Safety are today responsible for the largest number of installed, active fixed gas detection sensors and systems in the world’s most demanding and hazardous applications and environments.

This 155-page detailed handbook contains: a basic glossary of essential gas detection terms and abbreviations along with a summary of key principles in combustible and toxic gas monitoring. Additionally, it provides real world reference data–including physical properties and exposure limits for the most commonly monitored gases found in industrial and various other environments.

Readers will find helpful the handbook’s comparison of today’s most widely-used gas detection technologies, which can help them better understand the advantages of the various gas sensing technologies in multiple plant environments. Understanding these different technologies is essential to making good decisions that help protect people, equipment, plants and surrounding communities. In addition, recognizing how gas detection technologies perform in different environments, such as wind, high temperatures, low temperatures and humidity, helps optimize sensor selection for maximum effectiveness, extended life and reduced maintenance.

The handbook also includes a helpful table indicating the gas hazards common to specific applications within major industries--chemical, oil/gas, power generation, food/beverage, pharmaceutical, water/waste treatment and many others. In addition, the handbook’s summary of key gas detection instrumentation approvals information, including hazardous locations classification, is essential in order to comply with safety standards and regulations.

MSA’s exclusive Sensor Placement Guide in the handbook provides important factors to take into consideration when determining optimum gas sensor placement. Understanding sensor placement is critical to effective gas leak monitoring and helps avoid failures to alarm during actual gas leaks as well as avoiding false alarms that cause unnecessary plant shutdowns.

The section on Combustible Atmospheres is essential must-read material, explaining the basic conditions under which a flame can appear, including the source of the fuel gas, the oxygen level required to burn and the heat source of ignition. Examples of combustible gas heat and ignition sources are provided such as burners, welding torches, sparks from electrical switching and more.

In addition to combustible and toxic gases, oxygen deficiency is a common plant hazard that results in many accidents. The handbook explains the difference between oxygen deficient areas which contain too little oxygen (less than 19.5% oxygen by volume) that affects breathing and oxygen enrichment (more than 25% oxygen by volume) that result in an increased risk of explosion.

About MSA

Established in 1914, MSA Safety Incorporated is the global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of safety products that protect people and facility infrastructures. Many MSA products integrate a combination of electronics, mechanical systems and advanced materials to protect users against hazardous or life-threatening situations. The company's comprehensive product line is used by workers around the world in a broad range of markets, including the oil, gas and petrochemical industry, fire service, the construction industry, mining and the military. MSA’s core products include fixed gas and flame detection systems, portable gas detection instruments, industrial head protection products, self-contained breathing apparatus, fire and rescue helmets, and fall protection devices. With 2021 revenues of $1.4 billion, MSA employs approximately 4,800 people worldwide. The company is headquartered north of Pittsburgh in Cranberry Township, Pa., and has manufacturing operations in the United States, Europe, Asia and Latin America. With more than 40 international locations, MSA realizes approximately half of its revenue from outside North America.