Types Of Gas Detectors for Safety & Security (2024)

What’s something you can’t always see, smell, or taste, but can present significant industrial hazards? Toxic and flammable gases. Our industry has come a long way from the days of carrying canaries into mines to detect airborne poisons. Technology continues to improve, and at Premiere Safety, we’re your one-stop solution for gas detection devices. The enhanced responsiveness and real-time monitoring of our efficient gas monitoring instruments ensure the accuracy you need to save lives.

Whether it’s methane, hydrogen sulfide, or carbon monoxide, identifying dangerous gases early is critical to ensure the safety of your workers. Gas detectors are specialized equipment that sense toxic gases and send out an alert if there is a change in the air quality that is different from normal levels. In this article, we’ll walk you through the different types of gas detectors, detailing how they operate and when to use them in your business.

The 4 Main Types of Gas Detectors

Industries like mining and quarrying, chemical refining, and automotive facilities rely on gas detectors every day to ensure the safety of workers. Our gas detectors are particularly efficient for work in confined spaces, where gas leaks are common hazards. There are many types of gas detectors on the market, but the four main types of gas detection fall into catalytic bead, infrared, electrochemical, and photoionization detectors. They are differentiated by the type of gas sensor inside the device. These sensing technologies are broad categories, and within each type, different variations cater to different applications.

Let’s look into the main types of detectors and others you may come across in depth.

1. Electrochemical Gas Detectors

These types of gas detectors are used for detecting toxic gases like carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, and chlorine. The device uses a sensor through a membrane that covers an electrode. When oxygen diffuses into the sensor, an electrochemical reaction occurs between the target gas and the electrode that produces an electrical signal proportional to the amount of gas detected.

When to Use:

In areas affected by poor air quality, including the manufacturing, chemical, food, and beverage industries, and oxygen monitoring with respirators and ventilators in the medical sector.

2. Catalytic Bead Gas Detectors

Used for detecting flammable gases, these types of sensors operate on the principle that as combustible gas produces heat, it oxidizes. The change in resistance of the bead, within an embedded coil, measures the gas concentration. The sensor converts this temperature change to a readable signal using a transducer.

When to Use:

Use in areas where flammable gases and vapors are often present, including the mining, oil, gas, waste management, and construction industries.

3. Photoionization Detectors (PIDs)

PID detectors are designed to detect volatile organic compounds or VOCs. These are highly toxic, often combustible, and can endanger workers even in low concentrations. They contain an ultraviolet lamp that emits photons, and the electrical current generated measures the target. This current converts to the concentration of VOCs present.

When to Use:

Use in areas where the potential for spills of hazardous materials like oil, gasoline, benzene, or other emergency leak situations, are present.

4. Infrared Gas Detectors

Also called Infrared Imaging Gas Detectors, IR sensors are used to detect a range of hazardous gases, including hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide. These sensors work by converting invisible infrared radiation to visible infrared images. These devices are very sensitive and can identify and quantify the presence of leaking gas quickly.

When to Use:

Use in areas where natural gas leakage is common, including the petrochemical industry, gas transportation, power generation, and aviation maintenance.

Other Types of Gas Detectors

Semiconductor Gas Detectors

These types of gas detectors are used to identify and monitor the presence of hazardous gases in the semiconductor industry. The semiconductor market is ever-growing, as they are essential components of electronic devices that enable communications, computing, transportation, clean energy, and countless other industrial applications.

When to Use:

Use in semiconductor manufacturing, where gases like hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and argon are widely present and pose serious safety risks if not monitored appropriately.

Ultrasonic Gas Leak Detectors

A type of acoustic sensor, these are quite different from other types of gas detectors. These detectors use sensors to identify the sound generated by escaping gas within the space. Such ultrasonic frequencies are imperceptible to the human ear.

When to Use:

Use in open outdoor areas or noisy indoor areas with high rates of ventilation.

Holographic Gas Detectors

Cutting-edge technology, these types of detectors consist of a sensor platform with liquid crystals that sense the presence of volatile gas. Within a matter of seconds, an alarm becomes visible in space in the form of a hologram. Research Professor Junsuk Rho says, “This ultra-compact wearable gas sensor provides a more intuitive holographic visual alarm than the conventional alarms.” While still emerging, they promise greater safety and specificity in the future.

When to Use:

This newly developed technology is anticipated to be effective in extreme work environments where acoustic and visual noise are intense.

Single-Gas vs. Multi-Gas Detectors: A Detailed Comparison

As the name suggests, single gas detectors monitor only one gas in particular. Multi-gas detectors can monitor multiple gases simultaneously. Different gas detector types cater to different requirements based on the job environment. The conditions of your work setting, the types of gases present, and any specific monitoring needs should factor into your decision between single-gas detectors and multi-gas detectors. Next, we’ll compare the key differences between both.

Single Gas Detectors

Advantages

Easier to operate and maintain, compact in size, suitable for personal safety or handheld use in specific areas, tend to be more cost-effective.

Limitations

Calibrated to detect only one specific type of gas, which may not be sufficient for environments where multiple hazards exist.

Ideal Use Cases

Use where the presence of one particular gas is expected, or there is only concern about a specific type of gas. Common applications include sites with carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, or oxygen deficiency, typically in residential settings.

Multi-Gas Detectors

Advantages

More versatile & comprehensive monitoring capabilities in a single device, engineered to detect multiple gases at the same time, some gas detector types monitor up to four or five different gases simultaneously.

Limitations

Generally larger in size, require a learning curve to use due to their more advanced settings, can be slightly more expensive.

Ideal Use Cases

Industrial applications and construction site uses include oil and gas, chemical processing, firefighting and rescue, and confined space entry where one comes into contact with a range of hazardous gases.

What Can A Typical Multi-Gas Detector Monitor Do?

When you select a multi-gas detector, you’re making one of the most significant safety investments in your business. A typical multi gas detector monitor is designed to provide life-saving criteria and measure combustible gases across a wide range of environmental conditions. These types of gas detectors are a must-have in industrial, commercial, and known hazardous worksites. When dangerous levels of gases are present, the safety of your workers depends on the quality and accuracy of the devices used.

Our multi-gas detectors sense combustible, toxic, and volatile organic compounds or VOCs. Combustible gases and vapors might include methane, propane, and butane. Toxic gases include but aren’t limited to carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, chlorine, formaldehyde, and ozone. VOCs include benzene, toluene, and xylene, many of which cause disease in humans. Gas detector work may require the monitoring of additional gases like carbon dioxide, ethanol, and freon (refrigerants). Multi-gas detectors also monitor oxygen enrichment or deficiency in a given workspace.

How to Select the Right Gas Detector for Your Needs

Choosing the right gas detection equipment depends on several factors that involve your specific needs, the work environment, the types of gases to monitor, and often jurisdictional requirements.

Here are some guidelines to help determine which gas detector is right for you.

Specific Gases:

When in the presence of dangerous gases, it’s critical to narrow down the specifics. Are you concerned about one particular gas in the space? Then a single gas detector will fit the bill. Do you need to monitor multiple gases simultaneously? Shop for a multi-gas detector. Combustible gases typically warrant the use of a multi-gas detector.

Environmental Conditions:

Consider the environmental conditions in which you’re working, as well as whether toxic or combustible gases may be present. Factors including temperature, humidity, and potential exposure to dust or water can influence your choice of detector. Check with your local fire department or regulatory authorities, as your gas detectors must meet or exceed their standards.

Features and Functionality:

Take an inventory of what features are important to you, such as data logging capabilities, alarms (auditory, visual, vibrating), display options, and battery life. Sensor technology is another factor to consider, as different ones have varying sensitivities, response times, and maintenance requirements. Size, weight, and ergonomics also play a part in selecting the right gas detector for your job.

Considering these aspects and partnering with a reputable brand like Premiere Safety can help you determine the right gas detector that meets your needs and keeps workers safe. If you’re unsure of your selection, consult with one of our safety professionals for peace of mind.

FAQs:

What Are the Different Types of Gas Sensors?

The four main types of gas detectors, or sensors, consist of electrochemical, catalytic bead, photoionization, and infrared gas detectors. These various types of gas detectors should all be used in environments where workers may be exposed to hazardous gases. Other types of gas detectors include semiconductor, ultrasonic, and holographic gas detectors.

What Type of Detector is Used for Gas?

The gas detector types used on any given job depend on the specific gates to be detected. For example, electrochemical detectors are used for toxic gases, and infrared sensors are used for hydrocarbon gases. Catalytic bead detectors are most widely used to detect combustible gases and vapors. They alert workers to explosion or catalytic combustion hazards when concentrations are in the upper limit, or UEL.

Which Type of Gas Detector is the Most Commonly Used in Industry?

Catalytic bead detectors are most frequently used for detecting hazardous gases across the construction, manufacturing, aerospace, and laboratory industries. This is due to their reliability and ability to detect a range of combustible and toxic gases. Electrochemical sensors are the second most commonly used type of gas detector.

What Are the Two Types of Gas Detection Systems?

The main types of gas detector systems fall within two broad categories, fixed and portable. Fixed gas detection systems are permanently installed on-location and used to continuously monitor environments. They work similarly to fire and smoke alarms. Fixed systems like ours at Premiere Safety can alert other monitoring systems, log data, and connect to cloud-based systems. Portable gas detectors are designed to be carried or worn on clothing as part of PPE. They are ideal for confined spaces and areas where it’s impractical to fit a fixed system.

What is the Difference Between a Gas Monitor and a Gas Detector?

Whereas gas detectors are connected within a building’s system on-site, gas monitors are portable, wireless, and hands-free. They are simple to use and lightweight, ideal for personal safety in confined spaces. Gas detectors are often part of a larger system, while gas monitors can be conveniently clipped onto clothing or carabiners as part of PPE.

The Power of Prevention with Gas Hazards

Most hazardous gases and vapors are invisible to the naked eye, which is why they can be so dangerous for employees. Certain gases create the conditions for injury, explosions, and even fatalities. The good news is that many of these workplace accidents are avoidable by implementing safety measures and choosing the right type of gas detector equipment. For over 70 years, Premiere Safety has been at the forefront of workplace safety with monitors and systems that work around the clock to keep your team safe. Check out our full range of gas detectors to find the one that matches your job site needs. If you have any questions about what would work best for your industry or how to stay in compliance with state regulations, contact us online!