The Influence of Functional Safety and Metrological Standards on Gas Detection Systems

• Dieter Wenker

Keywords: Common cause, EN 50402, EN/IEC 60079–29–1, gas detection, gas sensors, standardisation, type testing, metrological standards, functional modules, SIL-capability, reliability, availability, proof testing, sensor poisoning

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Abstract:

Gas detection systems need to comply with metrological and functional safety standards. These standards have among others requirements concerning response time, accuracy, environmental influences and long-term stability. They do not only cover the gas detectors but the whole gas detection system, i.e., from the gas inlet to the relay output, has to be approved according these standards. In addition to the metrological standards the gas detection systems need to address requirements for functional safety. Due to the wide range of applications and the required levels of safety the physical structure of complex gas detection systems may differ strongly among various manufacturers.

In order to achieving safe functioning and reliable gas detection systems many items, besides the typical aspects of functional safety, need to be addressed including the positioning of detectors and choosing the optimum type of sensor. For many of these items, which may look simple at the first view, experience with gas detection and especially with the measuring principles is required.

The purpose of this paper is to give the reader a complete overview of all aspects involved in achieving a proper gas detection system. The paper will address system architectures, typical applications and give an overview of the requirements of metrological standards. Further more the paper will address the reliability of the gas detection system and the gas sensor itself. © 2009 Inside Publishing. All Rights Reserved.

Volume: 2009   Issue: 2

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