In industrial settings where flammable materials are handled, flame detection systems are an important layer of safety programs. False alarms in these systems disrupt operations and can risk desensitizing personnel to alerts. Different flame detection methods have different false alarm profiles in different applications. Advanced flame diagnostic technologies have been and are being developed to enhance these systems, including to reduce false alarms. Among these technologies, artificial neural networks (ANNs) stand out as a promising option, offering false alarm reduction.

Topics: MSA, Safety, Flame Detection

The potential dangers associated with ammonia gas leaks necessitate a thorough understanding of the risks and implementation of stringent safety measures. Ammonia is a commonly used industrial chemical, serving various purposes across different sectors. The potential dangers associated with ammonia gas leaks necessitate a thorough understanding of the risks and implementation of stringent safety measures. In this post, we explore the general dangers of ammonia gas leaks and critical safety precautions to help protect people, property, and the environment.

Topics: MSA, Gas Detection Solutions, General Monitors, Fixed Gas Solutions, Safety, Flare Gas

Condition Monitoring is a necessity in all process industries. Our monitoring solutions for safety, condition and performance monitoring of rotating machinery in many applications in industries such as steel, mining, cement, pulp and paper, maritime and other industries: 

Topics: Safety, vibration, Condition Monitoring, BK Vibro

Fixed gas detectors play a critical role in safeguarding people, places, and the planet against potentially life-threatening gases in environments ranging from high value industrial complexes to laboratories and hazardous confined spaces. However, to ensure their accuracy and reliability, regular calibration is an indispensable practice.

Calibration is usually a two-step procedure – the zero and the span. In the first step, the sensor is zeroed using ambient air after confirming that the target gas is not present or by using a suitable gas from a cylinder. The second step is to expose the instrument to the calibration gas that contains a known concentration of the target gas the sensor is designed to measure. The readings are then adjusted to match these values.

Topics: MSA, X5000, Gas Detection Solutions, Fixed Gas Solutions, Safety, Field Service

This month we explore the concept of flashpoints and their significance in fire safety. A flashpoint refers to the temperature at which a flammable substance releases sufficient vapor to ignite when exposed to an external source of ignition, such as a spark. It serves as a crucial factor in determining the fire hazard potential of various liquids.

Topics: MSA, Gas Detection Solutions, Fixed Gas Solutions, Safety

Originally posted by MSA

If you work in the water/wastewater industry, we don’t have to tell you just how dangerous treatment plants can be for worker well-being. We also don’t have to explain that water/wastewater plants have an even greater potential for danger after hours and on weekends when no one is physically on site.

Topics: MSA, Gas Detection Solutions, Safety, Wastewater, water

Now onboard the International Space Station (ISS), MSA Safety's combustible gas sensors are part of NASA's Advanced Hydrogen Sensor Technology Demonstration. The system is testing new ways to keep astronauts safe by detecting hydrogen, a highly flammable gas.

Topics: MSA, Gas Detection Solutions, Safety

Process engineers in the fertilizer industry are keenly aware of the toxic and combustible properties of ammonia (NH₃). While the tragic 2013 ammonium nitrate explosion at a fertilizer storage plant in West, Texas, that took 15 lives was ruled an arson incident, the force of the explosion was the equivalent of 7.5 to 10 tons of TNT according to multiple sources. The improper handling or monitoring of NH₃ can be a deadly serious mistake.

Topics: MSA, Gas Detection Solutions, Fixed Gas Solutions, Safety, techstar

This blog was originally posted by Yokogawa.

The monitoring of safety instrumented systems (SIS) is becoming more relevant to organizations in today’s process industries. Most are actively gathering some form of measurement to record and assess safety system performance. However, is this information accurate, reliable and fully inclusive to have real certainty to monitor safety system performance?

Topics: Yokogawa, Safety

For more than 100 years, the safety experts at MSA have been protecting people at work against the dangers of toxic and combustible gases, explosions and fires, trips and falls, loud noises, flying debris, dust, and more. If you’re responsible for plant and/or process safety in the oil and gas industry, MSA is there to help you prevent accidents. This blog introduces the basics of maintaining a safe work environment in the oil and gas industry. It is a quick-start tool, which is intended to point you in the right direction and not an all-inclusive safety manual. Our teams are ready to help you take the next steps with more detailed information when you’re ready to talk about your company’s needs.

Topics: MSA, Safety