BATTERIES | GAS DETECTION direct airflow from ventilation ducts or fans should be avoided so true atmosphere can be monitored. A radius of up to one metre around the batteries under charge should be considered as a Zone One hazardous area, as defined by the Dangerous Substances and Explosives Atmosphere Regulations 2002. Remote signalling of a developing unsafe environment, via beacons placed outside the charging area and/or connection to a BMS system, enables an alarm to be picked up by personnel. Automatically increasing mechanical ventilation within the space once the pre-alarm level is reached should also be considered. A gas-detection system that can give a gas concentration reading of the instantaneous level, as well as a time-weighted average and a peak reading, would be ideal. Commissioning The importance of correct commissioning and servicing of systems that have a primary function of protecting life, health and the A build-up of H in a battery room installation will create an extremely flammable atmosphere. With added O , the risk of a powerful explosion is significant Daikin Applied (UK) Ltd designs and manufactures a range of Air Handling Units from standard modular units to more complex bespoke systems, which are designed to provide inherent flexibility that can be configured and combined specifically to meet the exact requirements of any building. built environment cannot be overemphasised. A gasdetection system is being relied upon to carry out its intended design function. In this case, if the H2 detection system has not been commissioned, there is no guarantee it will operate as intended in the event of a rise in H2 levels. Commissioning must be carried out by a competent person, with certificates issued to the relevant companies and people involved in a project. Competence is a combination of skills, experience and knowledge. So a commissioning engineer should not commission a gas-detection system if they do not have the knowledge, and specific equipment, necessary for a particular manufacturers system, even if they have the skills and experience of commissioning other types of controls. It is important for a commissioning engineer to be trained and approved by the manufacturer. Alternatively, the manufacturer should commission such systems. It is also imperative that those who are competent to carry out the task service gas-detection systems regularly. Just as important are the tools for ensuring the target gas is in the correct concentration for testing the sensors, and the correct delivery method is employed so sensors are not damaged. CJ CHRIS DEARDEN is managing director at Medem UK Delivering Optimised Indoor Air Quality Our AHUs are designed to be the most environmentally friendly and energy efficient on the market, thus reducing their ecological impact, whilst keeping costs down through the minimisation of energy consumption. Combined with the small physical footprint of the system, these features make our Air Handling Units ideal for your application. D-AHU Professional D-AHU Modular R D-AHU Modular P D-AHU Modular L 0.21 m 3/s up to 40 m 3/s 0.13 m3/s up to 6.95 m3/s 0.13 m/s up to 14.16 m/s 0.07 m/s up to 0.7 m/s For all your Chiller, AHU, Spares & Service enquiries contact us on: 0345 565 2700 www.daikinapplied.uk 44 January 2019 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE Jan19 pp43-44 Medem batteries.indd 44 21/12/2018 16:59