The Role of Gas Detection in Underground Parking Safety

Exploring the Gas Sense Addressable Car Park Detection System

Underground parking lots are essential components of urban infrastructure, however, they present several unique safety challenges. The lack of natural ventilation and high vehicle turnover create conditions conducive to the accumulation of harmful substances such as CO, NOₓ, LPG and CH₄ [1,2]. Early detection of these gases is the optimal method for preventing personal injury, material damage, and minimizing adverse environmental impact [3].

Understanding the Risks

Underground parking facilities typically face two main types of gas hazards: toxic and combustible gases [2,4].

Toxic Gases:

Carbon Monoxide (CO): CO is emitted as a result of the incomplete combustion of fuel. It is a colorless and odorless substance, which makes it difficult to detect and potentially fatal in confined spaces. In low concentrations CO could cause headaches, dizziness and confusion, whereas exposure to concentrations greater than 1,000 ppm could be lethal within less than an hour [4].
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂): NO₂ is a byproduct of diesel engines. Continuous exposure to concentrations as low as 5-10ppm may cause eye, nose, and throat irritation and even permanent respiratory issues.

Combustible Gases:

Methane (CH₄) and LPG (C₃H₈) – While not directly toxic in low concentrations, both substances are highly flammable and have the capacity to cause significant harm at concentrations as low as 2.1%vol for LPG and 5.0%vol for Methane [2].

The varying chemical properties of these gases also make for different patterns of accumulation, which need to be considered when deploying the necessary safety measures. One important factor is detector mounting height, briefly outlined in Fig.1.

Fig.1

In many cases, the above hazards are addressed simultaneously – with scheduled ventilation – but this approach has several disadvantages. Aside from the possibility of gas concentration build-up between ventilation windows, the more frequent scenario is one of ventilating the space when it is not required [4]. This results in unnecessary expenses such as high energy consumption, heat loss, ventilation system wear and increased maintenance costs.

The Gas Sense Addressable Car Park System helps to minimize these expenses by offering a high-precision, cost-effective way to feed real-time gas concentration data into a demand-controlled ventilation system. In other words, it allows for safety measures to be engaged reactively, in response to an existing alarm event.

The Gas Sense Addressable Car Park System

The Gas Sense Addressable Car Park System is perfectly placed to deliver efficiency, reliability and flexibility in the low-concentration monitoring of CO, NO₂, LPG and CH₄. Receive all the benefits of cost-effective regulation compliance, combined with the versatile automation control and data management capabilities of modern addressable communication.

The system consists of the GS-300 Gas Detector, the GA-ADR Addressable Gas Controller, the EXP-ADR.32 Line Expander and RM-ADR.4 Addressable Relay Module. These components are integrated through our modular system architecture, allowing for maximum ease of deployment, use and servicing.

The GS-300 Gas Detector

The GS-300 Gas Detector is an easy-to-use, reliable field-level element of the Gas Sense Addressable Car Park System. It features long-life, high-accuracy sensors for combustible and toxic gas detection, as well as a solid IP65 enclosure that ensures stability and durability in any operating environment.

GS-300 Gas Detector

The GS-300 also features the streamlined TouchCal non-intrusive, one-man calibration procedure, solderless sensor replacement and self-monitoring technology, all of which effectively minimize maintenance expenses and lower the total cost of ownership of the system. Calibration and sensor replacement are incredibly simplified and are completed within 2-3 minutes.

The GA-ADR Addressable Controller

The GA-ADR Addressable Controller can oversee up to 247 devices on a single Modbus RTU line and offers several key advantages, including real-time status monitoring, remote detector configuration capability, as well as the easy creation of additional automation zones and further expansion of the system.

The standard Modbus RTU (RS-485) communications protocol makes the system a perfect solution for retrofit projects and new installations alike. The automatic initialization feature allows for quick integration of new devices as project requirements evolve. Detector settings and automation zones are configured in advance and fine-tuned in seconds through the intuitive menus of the GA-ADR.

GA-ADR Addressable Controller

The intuitive operation of the GA-ADR helps enhance awareness and minimize downtime when used as a master device. The live readings and event log of the GA-ADR controller can also be accessed via external HMIs for advanced data visualization and processing.

Last but not least, the compact DIN-rail mount enclosure of the GA-ADR allows for easy integration directly into a ventilation control board.

Gas Sense – Precision in Protection

Overall, the The Gas Sense Addressable Car Park System offers a cost-effective, feature-rich gas detection solution for underground parking. From deployment to use, maintenance and servicing, we have considered the ways to help you ensure compliance, reduce expenses and maximize safety every step of the way.

Learn more about the Gas Sense Addressable Car Park System: https://gassense.eu/en/application/p/84-car-parks

References:

1. Brzezińska, D., 2019. LPG Cars in a Car Park Environment—How to Make It Safe. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(6), p.1062. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16061062

2. OSHA, 2024. Underground Parking Safety Standards and Requirements. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Available at: https://www.osha.gov

3. Younes, I.M., et al., Al-Azhar Engineering. Smoke Management of Underground Car Park using CFD Simulations. DOI:10.21608/auej.2024.268827.1623

4. EN 50545-1:2011, Electrical apparatus for the detection and measurement of toxic and combustible gases in car parks and tunnels. European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC). Available at: https://www.cenelec.eu