gas

Sulphur hexafluoride – SF6 – is widely used in the electricity distribution industry in medium- and high-voltage installations such as substations, transformers and power stations. It is an odourless, colourless, non-flammable gas that acts as an insulator and prevents explosions and fires brought about by short circuits.

These qualities have made it the most common gas insulator for HV switchgear and use is increasing as a greater number of smaller generators come onto the grid. However, concern has been raised about the global warming potential of SF6 as use increases, perversely driven by increased demand for renewable energy.

Test-Meter.co.uk currently stocks a wide range of Kane Flue Gas Analysers suitable for use on a variety of different combustion systems including boilers, flueless appliances and professional catering appliances. With several different measurement functions available and compatibility with various fuel types, this post aims to explain the different options and help gas engineers select the right instrument for them.

Technical Bulletin 118 (TB118) from the Gas Safe Register - updated on 30th January 2018 - sets out the steps that should be taken by gas engineers to properly isolate appliances that use an electrical supply. This includes the majority of appliances in domestic and commercial environments. Safe electrical isolation is vital to ensuring that engineers do not receive a potentially dangerous electric shock, which can cause anything from mild discomfort to death.

As winter approaches and central heating boilers switch on throughout the UK, now is the opportune moment to look at the state of gas safety across the nation and discuss the practical steps everyone can take to prevent incidents related to gas leaks, fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Friday 21st April 2017 was an important date in the history of electricity production in the UK. For the first time since 1882, coal provided no electricity to the National Grid as West Burton 1 power station was taken off-line for 24 hours¹. Instead gas, renewables and nuclear power filled the gap to ensure the lights did not turn out. The percentage of British electricity produced by coal burning dropped from 23% in 2015 to 9% in 2016¹, a dramatic fall, but at a time of record low oil and gas prices, it remains to be seen whether fellow fossil fuels will see similar reductions compared to renewables and what effect this may have on the test and measurement industry.

Introduced in April 2013, Technical Bulletin 143 from the Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) outlines a safer procedure for commissioning condensing boilers without air/gas ratio valves. Following a small number of carbon monoxide poisoning incidents involving newly commissioned units, the HHIC, boiler manufacturers and other industry bodies have worked together to produce a new testing procedure that is clear, safe and comprehensive.

In a recent online poll of 2000 people from OnePoll on behalf of the Gas Safety Trust, only 13% of those questioned were able to identify the main symptoms and characteristics of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

Carbon monoxide CO is a killer gas that can strike without warning to both humans and pets it’s also odourless, tasteless and colourless so it can be hard to detect by human senses alone. Every year in the UK people of all ages die or suffer from carbon monoxide poisoning. Some have even suffered brain damage and paralysis although this is most likely if the individual has breathed in CO over a long period.

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