Gas detection is becoming increasingly important in the commercial refrigeration business. Concerns for financial aspects, personnel health and safety, climate and environment are having contractors and facility managers searching more than ever for dependable gas detection systems.

Leaking refrigeration systems not only determine losses on expensive gases that will have to be refilled but pose serious risks for the personnel involved (as most refrigerants are toxic, explosive or may cause oxygen depletion) and the environment (due to their global warming and ozone depletion potential). Leakages may also result in damaged stored goods and fines related to existing laws and regulation.

Most of the gases used in refrigeration systems are dangerous to humans:
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) displaces oxygen, causing asphyxiation and affects respiratory capacity
Ammonia (NH3) can be lethal at high concentrations and its use is subject to EN 378:2008 (see below)
Hydrocarbons (HC) such as butane and propane are flammable and its use is subject to EN 378:2008 (see below)
Fluorinated gases (CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs) displace oxygen causing asphyxiation other than having serious environmental impact. CFCs have, in fact, been phased out and they’re not commercially available nowadays even though older plants may still have them in their system.

The European Union has introduced two harmonized regulations for the refrigeration industry, the F GAS Regulation EU 517/2014 and the European Standard for Refrigeration Industry EN 378:2016. The former, legally binding, is an environmental law aiming to reduce emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases covered by the Kyoto Protocol (as HFCs, PFCs and SF6), making leaking detection mandatory for most systems. The latter outlines requirements for construction and refurbishment of refrigeration systems, explicitly mandating the presence of gas detection systems under given conditions.

N.E.T. has developed the most performing and dependable line of gas sensors on the market based on NDIR technology: the IREF.

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