Maximizing the safety of hazardous environments involves a multifaceted approach to gas detection. Perimeter monitoring and area monitoring are two essential strategies that work in tandem to create a comprehensive safety net. But what exactly do these terms mean, and how can they be effectively implemented to mitigate risks?
What is Area Monitoring?
Area monitoring is the strategic placement of gas detection equipment across a defined zone. This can be within a specific work area, along a facility's fence-line, or around high-risk machinery. Unlike personal monitors, which are worn by individual workers, area monitors are stationary and provide continuous surveillance of gas hazards in each area. This setup is particularly useful in creating a buffer zone to detect hazardous gases before they reach personnel or the community.
When to Use Area Monitoring
Area monitoring is commonly used during high-risk work like shutdowns or when other temporary detection zones are needed to ensure workers are safe in any given space. It can also be used to improve overall worker safety when fixed gas monitoring isn’t an option, as area gas monitors can be easily moved around as the situation and work conditions change. Area gas monitors can be used anywhere on your site, including around the perimeter.
What is Perimeter Monitoring?
Perimeter monitoring, also known as fence-line monitoring, is a method of gas detection that includes establishing a barrier around high-risk areas or projects that alerts you when gas hazards could be approaching your workers or surrounding community.
Some industries even require perimeter monitoring. According to the Clean Air Act, from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, all oil refineries and petrochemical plants in the United States are required to monitor for benzene emissions at their fence lines.
When to Use Perimeter Monitoring
Within a facility, perimeter monitoring is used near process units and other high-risk machinery, as well as near any known leaks, to ensure emissions aren’t entering other occupied locations.
When to Use Them Together
As a natural extension of one another, there are multiple instances where you can use both gas monitoring options. Both use cases apply to situations like shutdowns and turnarounds where you need to ensure emissions aren’t moving from one space to another or impacting the community. Additionally, these gas monitoring solutions can work together to give you a bird’s eye view of hot zones in real time across general safety applications, emergency response, confined space entry, and more.
Area Monitoring Challenges to Consider
Implementing an area monitoring system is not without its challenges. One significant challenge is source identity and placement location. Different gases have varying atmospheric properties.
For example, some gases are lighter than air, while others are heavier. Proper placement of area monitors is crucial to accurately detect these gases. Conducting a thorough site survey can help determine the optimal locations for your monitors, considering the characteristics of the gases you need to monitor.
Another challenge is the influence of environmental factors like wind direction on gas dispersion. Wind can change direction, affecting the distribution of gases and, consequently, the effectiveness of your monitoring system. Placing monitors in multiple locations can provide comprehensive coverage, ensuring that gas hazards are detected regardless of changing wind patterns.
The notification system is another critical aspect to consider. It’s essential to have a reliable system in place to alert personnel in case of a gas hazard. Modern area monitors can connect to personal gas monitors and send real-time alerts via text or email, ensuring that the right personnel are informed immediately. This connectivity allows for prompt action, enhancing the overall safety of the work environment.
Keeping workers safe in hazardous environments is crucial. Using both area and perimeter gas monitoring can help achieve this. Area monitors keep an eye on specific zones, while perimeter monitors act like a barrier, detecting gases before they reach people. Though there are challenges, like where to place the monitors and how wind affects gas spread, using both types together provides better safety. Reliable alert systems that notify the right people immediately are also important. In the end, combining these monitoring methods helps protect workers and the community, ensuring a safer workplace.
Learn more about Industrial Scientific's current area monitoring portfolio by clicking here.
