Given all of the hype that has developed around the topic of greenhouse gases and global warming in recent years, there is now a far greater awareness among the general public that the composition of the air that we breathe is crucial to our survival and that of all living things. Among many of those employed in fields such as hospitality and beverages, the diving industry, medicine, agriculture and many others, however, this is not a new concern but a danger that they face on a daily basis.

In these cases, the danger takes the form of carbon dioxide, a colourless and odourless gas that is utilised for growth by plants via photosynthesis, producing precious oxygen as a waste product. although vital to life, high levels of the gas are toxic and can be lethal, so in fields such as those mentioned above, CO2 alarms are equally vital for the safety of all those directly or indirectly involved.

One of the more obvious risks is that to which deep-sea divers and the occupants of submersibles are exposed.  They are required to breathe air within a closed system. This means that the efficient disposal of exhaled air or the use of scrubbers to remove this toxic product of respiration is essential to sustain their lives. Should either of these safety mechanisms fail to dispose of the exhaled carbon dioxide, then the presence of a suitable CO2 sensor is essential to trigger audible and visible alarms that will allow the divers or submariners sufficient time to return to the surface and safety.

On the surface, however, many workers face the risk of exposure to dangerously high levels of the gas from sources other than canned air. This invisible killer also poses a constant threat to many of those who are employed in the beverages and hospitality sectors. For a start, the gas is a by-product of brewing and fermentation that requires very stringent disposal methods and constant monitoring of the working environment for any indication of excessive levels.

Upon delivery of the brewer’s product to pubs, hotels and restaurants, it will normally be dispensed by using compressed CO2 gas from cylinders to provide the pressure needed to raise it from a cellar to the pumps on the bar counter above. The danger that loose connections could lead to dangerously high levels of carbon dioxide in a cellar is a constant one and so alarms are, once again, absolutely vital for the protection of the staff involved.

IEPSA is a supplier of a wide range of technical equipment, sourcing quality products from industry-leading manufacturers around the world. For gas sensors, detectors and alarms, we deal exclusively with Analox Sensor Technology, a name that has been associated with safety and reliability for more than 35 years. As well as those systems used to monitor CO2 levels, the Analox range also incudes both bespoke and off-the-shelf equipment designed to sense the levels of oxygen, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and toxic or inflammable hydrocarbons, such as methane, in a variety applications and environments.

In addition to supplying these tried-and-tested products, we also offer expert technical support with the selection, installation and ongoing maintenance of an Analox carbon dioxide alarm best suited to your specific use.

More Articles