Flame and Gas Detection in Layers of Protection

by | Jun 8, 2018 | Analytical, Measurement Instrumentation, Safety

Jim Cahill

Jim Cahill

Chief Blogger, Social Marketing Leader

For manufacturing processes with hazardous substances that are combustible or can cause harm to people and property, flame and gas detection systems are often used as part of the risk mitigation strategy.

This 11-minute video, Rosemount Flame and Gas Layers of Protection describes how these sensors are used in layers of protection for the process safety requirements.

The video opens explaining why flame and gas detectors are used—for personnel safety, property protection, regulatory monitoring and impact on the surrounding community.

Fire and gas hazards include both combustible and toxic gases that can be released. These are hazardous to personnel, equipment and the facilities themselves. Releases can create oxygen depletion and conditions for combustible material ignition. Sources of these unplanned releases include passive equipment failure, active equipment failures, human error and intentional acts caused by sabotage or terrorism.

Risk assessments are part of the global IEC 61511 safety standard and typically performed at the beginning of the facility be planned, designed and built. Guidance such as the U.S. the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)’s fire protection risk analysis helps assess where flaming gas detection goes, what technologies are used, and how much to use depending on risk mitigation needs.

Flame and gas detectors should be considered if the existing risk exceeds the facility’s risk tolerance and further analysis showing that the risk would fall within acceptable levels if flame or gas detection is present. These systems typically are used in the safety layer and active protection layer in the layers of protection.

The flame and gas detectors are common types of sensors used in safety instrumented functions (SIFs) within the safety instrumented system (SIS). These sensors and SIS may trigger audible & visual alarms and/or executive actions such as fixed fire protection activation, fire suppression/extinguishment, HVAC shutdown and emergency shutdown (ESD).

These flame and gas detectors are part of an overall response system to detect, distinguish and defend against dangerous conditions.

Learn more in the flame and gas detection area on Emerson.com. You can also connect and interact with other process safety and analytical sensor experts in the Safety Instrumented Systems and Analytical groups in the Emerson Exchange 365 community.

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The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of the authors. Content published here is not read or approved by Emerson before it is posted and does not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Emerson.

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