IGD recently had the opportunity to work in collaboration with Phares Engineering. The project involved the installation of 36 ammonia gas leak detectors for a British multinational supermarket chain with low alarm level requirements and adherence to all necessary standards. The collaboration was of great mutual benefit to both IGD and Phares Engineering and leaves the door open for more joint ventures in the future. Keep reading to find out how we teamed up with Phares to keep shoppers safe.
So, Who Are Phares Engineering?
Phares is an HVAC and Public Health Services company with over 50 years of industry-leading experience and expertise. They have provided high-level project management services and engineering design solutions to over 150 projects across the UK and offer bespoke packages, cost-efficient solutions and systems that are easy for clients to maintain. Phares remains committed to offering clients the best level of care with all of their individually designed building service systems, ensuring that your comfort is always their priority.
Why Would a Supermarket Need Ammonia Gas Leak Detectors?
The client’s 300,000 sqft warehouse needed to be upgraded to the Gassafe, FGas, REfcom, WRAS, EN378, IE Regs, and TR19 regulation standards. Phares Engineering were hired by the current landlord on behalf of the previous tenant and tasked with implementing heat recovery air conditioning and ventilation services to the main and transport offices, as well as core upgrades and public health services work for the toilets.
Additional upgrades were required for the ammonia gas leak detector system for the 25-year-old on-site refrigeration system. Ammonia is a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly refrigerant than traditional HCFCs and CFCs or other alternatives. This is why it has become the industry standard for refrigeration gases, however, it has its drawbacks. With a STEL of just 35ppm this toxic gas can quickly become hazardous, so the implementation of a system that can ensure the safety of personnel was the priority for Phares and their clients.
We delved a little deeper into the dangers presented by ammonia here.
Why Pick IGD?
IGD were recommended to Phares by their Trend Control service provider AirTech Controls; a team we had carried out successful work with in the past. Phares were impressed by our extensive knowledge of gas detection and our century of experience. That’s why they put their confidence in IGD being the detectably better solution for this project.
The Solution? Ammonia Gas Leak Detectors.
IGD provided the ideal solution in the form of our 750S sampler fitted with our revolutionary ionic ammonia sensors.
Our ammonia gas leak detectors mark a new standard for refrigeration gas detection which is a subject we recently explored. Previously favoured tech came with a lot of issues but IGD have tackled them all.
There was a risk of reduced performance in -20oC environments and consumption in environments with background ammonia levels. This can shorten the sensor’s lifespan and increase overall costs but IGD’s ionic ammonia gas leak detectors proved to be the solution to all of these problems. Our sensors retain optimum levels of performance in even the harshest of environments and in temperatures as low as -40oC. Background levels of ammonia or leaks won’t consume them either. This means that our gas detectors can perform more effectively, accurately, and reliably in refrigeration units. With this new detector, limited performance, shortened lifespans and the resulting increased costs are now a thing of the past.
Our work satisfied the requirements of EN378, COSHH and DSEAR with accurate detection below 10,000ppm (a requirement of EN378) and an occupational short-term alarm set point at 35ppm (a requirement of EH40). The TOC-750S also ensures that environments that wear on normal diffusion sensors can be monitored with minimal hassle. Using the TOC-750S with our leading Sentinel+ᵀᴹ 2-Wire Addressable gas detection technology means that we can pass on a 70% saving on installation costs to our clients enabling them to further enhance their safety through real-time digital readings.
The Result.
IGD installed 28 750S samplers and 8 safe area Ammonia Gas Leak detectors that were interfaced into the Phares-supplied HVAC system. This collaboration was a match made in heaven since IGD’s full turnkey solution covered the client for installation, maintenance, and on-site training with staff.
A few months later, and the system is still working as per the set-up and design requirements and has been able to detect ammonia gas leaks successfully and reliably during maintenance works.
The success of this project has led to us entering agreements to conduct further work with Phares Engineering. We’re also in discussion with the supermarket chain regarding further service works at the site.
“Your knowledge of the regulations and our client’s requirements gave us the confidence to offer a fully accredited and compliant proposal to the Landlord. This scheme was engineered and delivered onsite by a professional team that are a credit to your company.”
Richard Harris – Director, Phares Engineering
Contact IGD.
If you require a similar system Contact IGD today. We can provide detectably better solutions for refrigeration applications backed by more than a century of experience.
Not your application? Not a problem because IGD has over a century of expertise in providing solutions for a huge range of applications. You can check some of them out here.
