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Ensuring Safety with Gas Proving Systems in School Classrooms

By Oceania Gas Safety

Ensuring Safety with Gas Proving Systems in School Classrooms

The safety of students and staff in school classrooms is of paramount importance, and one crucial aspect of maintaining a secure learning environment is the effective management of gas systems. Gas proving systems are indispensable tools that help ensure the safety of everyone within the school premises, particularly in science laboratories and classrooms where gas appliances are commonly used. In this blog post, we will explore the significance of gas proving systems in school classrooms and their role in preventing potential gas-related hazards.

Understanding Gas Proving Systems

Gas proving systems, also known as gas guards or gas checks, are designed to monitor and control gas flow to various appliances and outlets. Their primary function is to verify the presence of gas pressure before allowing appliances to operate. In a school setting, these systems are used to manage gas supplies to laboratory equipment, such as Bunsen burners, gas taps, and other devices commonly found in science classrooms.

How Gas Proving Systems Work

Gas proving systems typically consist of sensors, control panels, and alarms. Here’s how they work:

1. Pressure Transducer are located on the gas solenoid valve or pipework. These Pressure Transducers detect the presence of gas within the system.

2. Control Panel: The Merlin 1000V control panel is the central processing unit of the gas proving system. It receives signals from the sensors and processes the information to determine whether gas is present or not, also if a leak has been found.

3. Detectors: Gas proving systems can be equipped with Gas Detectord that are triggered when gas is detected within the air. These detectors alert occupants and staff to a gas leak and isolate the gas solenoid valve.

Advantages of Gas Proving Systems in School Classrooms

1. Safety : Gas proving systems provide an additional layer of safety by ensuring that gas appliances are only operational when gas is present. This helps prevent accidents and potential gas leaks that could lead to fires or other hazardous situations.

2. Compliance : Many regulatory bodies and local authorities require educational institutions to have gas safety measures in place. Gas proving systems help schools comply with safety regulations, avoiding legal consequences and ensuring a safe learning environment.

3. Peace of Mind : Teachers, staff, and students can focus on their work and studies with the assurance that gas-related risks are minimized due to the presence of reliable gas proving systems.

4. Early Detection: Gas proving systems can detect even minor leaks that might go unnoticed otherwise. This early detection capability can prevent situations from escalating into emergencies.

Implementing Gas Proving Systems in Schools

To effectively implement gas proving systems in school classrooms, consider the following steps:

1. Assessment: Ensure you meet the requirements of AS5601.1.2022. Identify areas where gas proving systems are necessary for safety.

2. System Selection: The OGS Merlin range has various gas proving systems that meets your school’s requirements and conforms to safety standards.

3. Installation: Engage professionals to install the gas proving system. Proper installation ensures accurate detection and reliable operation.

4. Staff Training: Train teachers, laboratory staff, and relevant personnel on how the gas proving system works, including recognising system alerts and responding appropriately.

5. Maintenance: Regularly inspect and maintain the gas proving system to ensure it remains functional and accurate. Schedule periodic servicing to keep the system in optimal condition.

Conclusion

Gas proving systems are invaluable tools for maintaining the safety of school classrooms, particularly those equipped with gas appliances. By ensuring that gas is present before allowing appliances to operate, these systems play a pivotal role in preventing potential gas-related hazards. The peace of mind, compliance with safety regulations, and early detection capabilities offered by gas proving systems contribute to a secure and conducive learning environment for students and staff alike.

All Controls Visit the UK

By Oceania Gas Safety

In August we had the pleasure of Stephen Lock from All Controls Australia visit our International Headquarters (S&S Northern) in the UK.

All Controls are the distributor for OGS products in Australia and New Zealand. Stephen Lock is the Technical Sales Manager for Gas Combustion products for All controls and has extensive knowledge in our product range.

It was a great for Stephen to meet the team and show him some of our new product developments for later this year, as well as reflect on the success of the OGS product range in Australia and New Zealand.

Always a pleasure to catch up with an industry legend.

Ensuring Safety with Gas Proving Systems in School Classrooms

By Oceania Gas Safety

Ensuring Safety with Gas Proving Systems in School Classrooms

The safety of students and staff in school classrooms is of paramount importance, and one crucial aspect of maintaining a secure learning environment is the effective management of gas systems. Gas proving systems are indispensable tools that help ensure the safety of everyone within the school premises, particularly in science laboratories and classrooms where gas appliances are commonly used. In this blog post, we will explore the significance of gas proving systems in school classrooms and their role in preventing potential gas-related hazards.

Understanding Gas Proving Systems

Gas proving systems, also known as gas guards or gas checks, are designed to monitor and control gas flow to various appliances and outlets. Their primary function is to verify the presence of gas pressure before allowing appliances to operate. In a school setting, these systems are used to manage gas supplies to laboratory equipment, such as Bunsen burners, gas taps, and other devices commonly found in science classrooms.

How Gas Proving Systems Work

Gas proving systems typically consist of sensors, control panels, and alarms. Here’s how they work:

1. Pressure Transducer are located on the gas solenoid valve or pipework. These Pressure Transducers detect the presence of gas within the system.

2. Control Panel: The Merlin 1000V control panel is the central processing unit of the gas proving system. It receives signals from the sensors and processes the information to determine whether gas is present or not, also if a leak has been found.

3. Detectors: Gas proving systems can be equipped with Gas Detectord that are triggered when gas is detected within the air. These detectors alert occupants and staff to a gas leak and isolate the gas solenoid valve.

Advantages of Gas Proving Systems in School Classrooms

1. Safety : Gas proving systems provide an additional layer of safety by ensuring that gas appliances are only operational when gas is present. This helps prevent accidents and potential gas leaks that could lead to fires or other hazardous situations.

2. Compliance : Many regulatory bodies and local authorities require educational institutions to have gas safety measures in place. Gas proving systems help schools comply with safety regulations, avoiding legal consequences and ensuring a safe learning environment.

3. Peace of Mind : Teachers, staff, and students can focus on their work and studies with the assurance that gas-related risks are minimized due to the presence of reliable gas proving systems.

4. Early Detection: Gas proving systems can detect even minor leaks that might go unnoticed otherwise. This early detection capability can prevent situations from escalating into emergencies.

Implementing Gas Proving Systems in Schools

To effectively implement gas proving systems in school classrooms, consider the following steps:

1. Assessment: Ensure you meet the requirements of AS5601.1.2022. Identify areas where gas proving systems are necessary for safety.

2. System Selection: The OGS Merlin range has various gas proving systems that meets your school’s requirements and conforms to safety standards.

3. Installation: Engage professionals to install the gas proving system. Proper installation ensures accurate detection and reliable operation.

4. Staff Training: Train teachers, laboratory staff, and relevant personnel on how the gas proving system works, including recognising system alerts and responding appropriately.

5. Maintenance: Regularly inspect and maintain the gas proving system to ensure it remains functional and accurate. Schedule periodic servicing to keep the system in optimal condition.

Conclusion

Gas proving systems are invaluable tools for maintaining the safety of school classrooms, particularly those equipped with gas appliances. By ensuring that gas is present before allowing appliances to operate, these systems play a pivotal role in preventing potential gas-related hazards. The peace of mind, compliance with safety regulations, and early detection capabilities offered by gas proving systems contribute to a secure and conducive learning environment for students and staff alike.

Gas Interlock System for Commercial Kitchens

By Oceania Gas Safety

What is a Gas Interlock system?

The Merln 1200S Gas interlock system ensures the ventilation is running at its required level. If the ventilation fails, or is turned off the gas supply is isolated.

Is there a regulation?

Yes! AS/NZS 5601.1.2022. This standard covers general gas installations. Where required air supply to an appliance relies on a mechanical system, there shall be an interlock to cause the gas supply to the appliances to be shut off upon the failure of the mechanical air system.

It mentions “the interlock shall fail safe and it shall be proved in the no-flow state prior to start-up”
It also mentions that the interlock “be of the type that will sense actual air movement” such as an air pressure differential switch.

Can I just wire an Air Pd switch to a gas solenoid valve?

It’s not recommended. An air Pd switch can get stuck due to grease and moisture, this means the gas will always be on with no means of isolation.
Also if it’s windy weather the air Pd switches are prone to click off and on causing the gas to trip off and on becoming very irritating for the kitchen staff. Also flames can easily extinguish and create gas leaks.

What is Best Practise?

Install a OGS Merlin 1200S interlock system. It checks the Pd switch changes state when the ventilation turns on and then allows the gas on. It eliminates nuisance tripping it has a built in delay to ensure windy days don’t affect the operation. Interlock systems can also be connected to fire alarms and fire suppression systems.

The Merlin 1200S interlock system has a built in emergency stops as standard to isolate the gas in the event of an emergency and are recommended to be installed with our GoldSeal gas valves.

Our kits are simple and very cost effective. They include a 1200s panel, 2 x air pressure differential switches, 1 x remote emergency shut-off button and options for a Goldseal gas solenoid valve Sizes ½” to 2″.

Call OGS today to find out more

AS/NZS 5601.1 2022 changes

By Oceania Gas Safety

There are significant updates in AS/NZS 5601.1 2022 from the previous standard that affect persons carrying out gas installation work.

Clause 5.2.11 Provision of fire emergency isolation for multilayer pipe. Where Multilayer Pipe is used as apart of the consumer piping, the installation shall be fitted with a system that will shut off the gas supply when the fire safety system operates.

The OGS Homesafe has been deigned specifically for this clause. When the fire system the OGS Homesafe will isolated the gas supply. When the fault is resolved, the OGS Homesafe will perform a gas proving test on the downstream pipework to ensure there are no gas leaks. Then allow gas back into to the property.

Find out more https://oceaniagassafety.com/product/ogs-homesafe/

UK to New Zealand and Australia

By Oceania Gas Safety

It’s been an awesome 5 days travelling around NZ demonstrating our latest Oceania Gas Safety product ranges to our customers and consultants. After years of being unable to travel, Craig was finally able to visit from the UK and it has been a pleasure showing him the country I am lucky to call home along the way.

We can’t wait to have you back next year.

Dave

Behind the Scenes!!

By Oceania Gas Safety

Below is a insight on the continuous work carried out at the factory, now manufacturing over 3000+ Merlin controllers and detectors every month!
With 4 full time design engineers and 19 factory staff, we are continually evolving our products to keep us market leaders within the Gas Safety industry.

For further information on our Merlin range of controllers or if you are currently looking at any commercial or educational projects, please contact us on in**@oc**************.com

Why Choose the OGS Gas Check?

By Oceania Gas Safety

Mechanical Engineers know that not all environments are the same, gas regulations change in different areas, so why choose the same gas guard?

OGS have a range of gas guards suited to for specific areas. We have a specific control panels for School Science Labs, Boiler rooms and Commercial kitchens.

Why do we do this?

We believe its vital that the user of the control panel chef, teacher, or engineer can clearly identify any warnings or faults and act to resolve them.

Where other controls panels just have a ‘Fault’ indication for all faults. The OGS range indicates a fault and explains why the fault has occurred such as “Fan Fault”, “Fire Alarm”, “Gas Detected” ect. Once you know the cause, you can focus on resolving the issue. This saves time, maintenance costs and highlights and safety issues.

Another major benefit is installation one panel suits all size gas lines and can be used with any 240v gas solenoid valve. The systems can be retro fitted on existing installations.

CO2 Monitoring for School Classrooms

By Oceania Gas Safety

Following the Covid 19 pandemic monitoring air quality has never been more important. In the UK, our parent company S&S Northern has supplied over 30,000 CO2 monitors to UK schools and workplaces. Here is a some further information on why CO2 monitors are used.

What it a Carbon Dioxide Monitor?

A carbon dioxide monitor detects the level of carbon dioxide in the room. By monitoring the carbon dioxide in the air it gives you an indication of the air quality.

Why do we need a Carbon dioxide monitor?

This carbon dioxide monitor gives the occupants of the room an indication of air quality and when they need to take action to improve the ventilation. Good air quality is essential for a healthy learning environment. A well ventilated room reduces the transmission of air borne viruses.

What is Carbon Dioxide?

Carbon Dioxide is naturally occurring in the air we breathe, however when a classroom has increased occupancy the level of carbon dioxide can increase too, this is because carbon dioxide is a by-product of people breathing in and out.

How to use my Carbon Dioxide Sensor

Open the box, you will find the carbon dioxide monitor, 1 meter USB wire and plug. As well as your user manual.

To power up the carbon dioxide monitor Plug your 1 meter USB wire into the bottom left side of the monitor and the other end into the plug provided, then plug it into a wall socket.

Try to locate the monitor away from any sources of ventilation such as windows to ensure you are getting an accurate reading for the room.

Actions to take

The screen gives you an indication of the level of carbon dioxide in the room.

Pay particular attention to the traffic light LEDs on the left hand side of the monitor.

Green indicates good air quality to action needs to be taken.

Amber/Orange indicates carbon dioxide is increasing in the room

If the indication goes to Red above 1500ppm there is no need to panic, but you should take some action. This indicates that the Carbon dioxide level in the room is increasing and you should introduce some fresh air such as opening a window or turning on some mechanical ventilation if available. The levels will gradually decrease as fresh air is introduced to the room.

Is carbon dioxide harmful?

Don’t confuse carbon dioxide with carbon monoxide. We all know Carbon Monoxide as the silent killer, however Carbon dioxide is non-toxic and causes no poses no risks to health at low levels found in classrooms.