The Critical Role of Gas Monitors in Controlling Vehicle Emissions

Gas monitoring (detection) is a crucial aspect of maintaining air quality and safety in facilities that are susceptible to the risks posed by vehicle emissions. Vehicle emissions monitoring is essential in enclosed spaces such as parking garages, transportation terminals, and maintenance facilities to ensure public safety. In this article, we’ll explore some of the commonly monitored gases in these environments, why it’s necessary to regulate their levels and cover some of the features that Belimo gas monitors have to offer. 

The primary concern in vehicle emissions monitoring is carbon monoxide (CO), a colorless, odorless, and highly toxic gas produced by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. High CO levels can cause dizziness, headaches, and even death. Monitoring CO in parking garages, transportation terminals, and maintenance facilities ensures that levels remain within safe limits.

Nitrogen dioxide, or NO2, is another toxic gas emitted by vehicles, especially diesel engines. It can cause respiratory problems and contribute to the formation of smog. NO2 monitoring is essential in enclosed spaces like indoor parking lots, loading docks, and maintenance garages to maintain air quality and safeguard the health of workers and visitors.

“Belimo gas monitors with dual sensors are perfect for enclosed parking garage applications that require both CO and NO2 gas monitoring” explains Eddie Kelley, Belimo Business Line Manager for Sensors & Meters. “Our peer-to-peer communication protocol allows users to daisy-chain up to 32 monitoring devices, which can reduce cabling and cut installation costs.”

Hydrogen (H2) is another gas often used as a fuel in industrial applications, including fuel cells for data centers, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and lead-acid battery charging stations. Hydrogen is a highly combustible gas, and monitoring is vital in these environments to ensure optimum ventilation for the prevention of fire and explosion risks.

“Belimo gas monitors are factory calibrated and can monitor a wide variety of gases; up to two simultaneously” according to Martin Pizzardi, Service & Production Technician for Belimo Gas Monitors. “Some models feature relays and analog outputs to control ventilation directly, as well as BACnet MS/TP allowing for integration into the BMS. They can be assigned to groups on-site for ventilation zoning on the same network, which significantly reduces control wiring and installation time.”

Belimo gas monitors are backed by a five-year warranty, and Belimo sensor replacement modules are backed by a one-year warranty. 

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