Honeywell has released two Bluetooth-connected gas detectors that can continuously monitor for dangerous gases even in fog, rain, snow and other inclement weather, helping facilities keep their oil and gas, petrochemical, chemical, and other workers and industrial sites safe.

The Searchline Excel Plus and Excel Edge are open path gas detectors that use optics and high-powered infra-red technology, allowing the devices to stay online in weather conditions with poor visibility and at long distances. The gas detectors also have Bluetooth connectivity that allows quicker and easier device maintenance and calibration for plant personnel.

“Protecting worksites and workers is the number-one priority for any business,” said Jason Winburn, senior product manager at Honeywell. “Searchline Excel Plus and Excel Edge can continuously monitor for leaks even in poor weather, giving plant operators peace of mind knowing that their gas detection system can withstand various outdoor conditions.”

Many traditional open path, fixed gas detectors and monitors can be vulnerable to weather conditions such as fog, rain, snow and mist. In these instances, open path detector signals can be blocked, bringing devices offline and unable to monitor for harmful flammable hydrocarbon gases. With Honeywell’s optics and near-band infra-red absorption technology built into the Searchline devices, they have the ability penetrate through thick fog with minimal visibility.

Using Bluetooth connectivity, these gas detectors can be paired with the Honeywell fixed platform app, offering simplified maintenance and testing procedures, which in turn means more efficient and safer performance checks. For example, because workers can use their mobile devices from up to 20 metres away to conduct maintenance checks, they do not need to climb on high ladders regularly and risk falling to check devices located high off the ground.

Open path gas detectors play a role in a facility’s fixed gas detection system, creating an invisible line that senses gases passing between the device’s transmitter and receiver. The Excel Plus monitors short and mid-range applications from two to 120 metres, allowing workers to monitor specific areas or equipment for continuous safety applications.

The Excel Edge provides long range perimeter or fence line monitoring from 60 to 330 metres. Along with wind direction and speed, worksite employees can both monitor whether their facility could be emitting harmful gases into neighbouring areas or if neighbouring plants may have leaks of their own that are crossing onto the facility’s property and need to be addressed. In both instances, monitoring for gas emissions shows environmental due diligence and can be a factor in avoiding or reducing costly fines and litigation.

For more than 50 years, Honeywell has developed gas detectors and analytics software to protect workers across a wide range of industries. Its gas detectors, flame detectors and natural gas alarms provide hazard mitigation, life protection and environmental stewardship for workers and worksites globally.