Playa Vista in Los Angeles County is a community of luxury homes and condominiums located in the Methane District of Los Angeles County. The development is above one of the many areas that have been tested and shown to contain certain concentrations of methane gas in the soil. The methane is generated from the ancient wetlands that were once stiuated in the location of Playa Vista and result from decomposing flora and fauna buried underground 100,000 years ago. To meet local building and fire regulations, developers had to put a membrane under each foundation and provide vents so that the off-gases would escape and not build up in the buildings. Additionally gas detection was required in various locations.

Authorities also wanted to be able to view over the internet current real time levels of methane in all the buildings as well as any history of events in the past. Gas monitors had to be provided in many difficult locations such as elevator pits and vent risers and had to be aesthetically pleasing in the luxury development. The Sentry Gas Risk Management System met all of the needs of the developer and the fire and building authorities using a LANServer solution. The Sentry LANServer provided event logging, internal connections showing all data and local indication on a graphical display of real-time conditions.

"When we had problems with another vendor, SMC was there to help us out. They met our demands providing us with a superior product at a competitive price".

Click here for more information on the methane gas mitigation application

An extensive fire at the Coney Island Water Pollution Control Plant in Brooklyn, NY damaged much of the scrubber and absorber system that aerates and dissipates fumes to control odors. Due to the close proximity of high density residential housing the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) implemented emergency bid procedures to repair and upgrade the facility.

In addition to nearly 100 Combustible gas, oxygen and Hydrogen Sulfide sensors around the plant, the integrator also needed to interface the gas detection system with an existing Allen Bradley PLC system that utilizes EtherNet/IP protocol.

Sierra Monitor's Sentry System was the only gas detection system that met all of the needs for Coney Island including the multiplexing capability that provided lower installation costs by reducing the number of wires and conduits required, and EtherNet/IP output to the PLC system eliminating the need for additional PLCs for the interface from the gas detection system to the plant-wide control system.

Click here for more information about this wastewater treatment plant project

Sentry was the first gas detection system to utilize the popular Modbus RTU protocol as the communications interface to other systems and devices. Sierra Monitor continues as the leader in the gas detection system data communications interface with the Sentry/FieldServer package that enables Sentry to communicate directly with process control systems and DCS utilizing any standard process control protocol including EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP, DH+, ControlNet, Profibus and many more.

The FieldServer Technologies division of Sierra Monitor has been a leader in protocol gateways for years. This expertise in data communication linked with the power of Sentry provides the user with a truly adaptable gas detection system that can interface directly to the user's process control system without the costly addition of external PLCs and other devices.

Click here for more information on Sentry's open communications interface

Sentry is the most comprehensive gas detection system available and provides the user with a wide range of capabilities and features. With each issue of the SMC Newsletter we continue to provide the user with tips on use of many of these features. This issue covers a Front Panel idea on using gas tags and module tags, an Interconnect idea on using spare channels for troubleshooting, an Integration idea on use of the FieldServer, and an Expansion idea on using existing wire in a plant by multiplexing.

While Sierra Monitor is well known for their Sentry Gas Risk Management Systems, they also provide gas alarm systems that are ideal for applications that require simple audible or visual alarms when the gas concentration exceeds the pre-set limit. For alarm indication, each gas monitor has both a buzzer and a relay output that can be used to activate an external alarm or control device.

The Model 20X and 200X series gas monitors are available for combustible gases, Hydrogen Sulfide and Carbon Monoxide monitoring applications. They can interface to the Model 2102 to provide a complete, yet simple and cost-effective remote annunciation package.

The Model 2050 Ammonia and Model 2060 Refrigerant/Halocarbon Gas Monitors are continuous duty, low cost stationary monitors for ammonia and halocarbon refrigerant gases.