APPENDIX 1

1 GAS DETECTION
1.1 Gas sensitivity measured in LEL-metres
As opposed to point detectors, the length of the measuring path of an open path detector is different
from installation to installation. Normally, the measuring path is too long to be filled with a
homogeneous gas concentration. In principle, an open path detector measures the total amount of gas
present in the measuring path. Therefore, an open path detector will not distinguish between a small
gas cloud with high concentration and a large gas cloud with a low level of concentration.

If the sensitivity of an open path detector is to be measured in % LEL, the length of the measuring
path must be fixed and the gas concentration must be homogeneous over the entire measuring path.
As open path detectors from practical reasons seldom are installed with fixed-length measuring paths
and gas concentrations are not normally homogeneous over the whole measuring path, gas sensitivity
is not given in the same way as for point detectors.

The gas response of open path detectors is given in LEL x metres (abbreviated LELm), which is the
product of the concentration and extension of the gas cloud. Thus, gas sensitivity becomes
independent of the length of the measuring path, which makes it easy to compare the sensitivity of
open path detectors.

5 m diameter
100 % LEL

As an example, a gas cloud with a concentration of 1 LEL and an extension of 5 m will give a
reading of 5 LELm.

1 m diameter
400 % LEL

Correspondingly, a gas cloud with a concentration of 5 LELm and an extension of 1 m will give a
response of 5 LELm.

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1.2 Gas leaks in the form of gas clouds
If there is a gas leak, the highest gas concentration of the gas cloud will always be at the source of
the leak. The gas concentration will get more and more diluted with increasing distance from the
source of the leak. There are no typical gas clouds. The extension and concentration of gas clouds are
dependent on the volume of the leak, wind direction and force and whether the gas is lighter or
heavier than air.

A frequently used definition of a hazardous gas cloud is: A gas cloud with a concentration of 100 %
LEL or more and an extension of at least 4 to 5 m.
1.3 Open path detectors versus point detectors
On basis of the above definition, point detectors are normally installed 4 to 5 m apart and positioned
in relation to potential leak spots, ignition sources and surrounding environment.

In order to compare the detection capability of open path and point detectors at different types of gas
leak, open path and point detectors with the following gas sensitivity are used:
- Open path detector 5 LELm =Full scale reading (FS)
- Point detector 100 % LEL = Full scale reading (FS)
1.3.1 Gas leak generating a gas cloud with a concentration of 100 % LEL and an
extension of 5 m
A point detector located within the gas cloud will give a reading of 100 % LEL = 100 % FS
An open path detector monitoring the entire gas cloud will give a reading of 5 LELm = 100 % FS.
The sensitivity of the two detectors is identical.

A gas cloud will, however, be heavily diluted with increasing distance from the leak source.
Provided that the gas cloud has a concentration of 100 % LEL at a distance of 5 m from the leak, the
concentration could be as low as 12 % LEL at a distance of 10 m.
1.3.2 Gas leak generating a gas cloud with a concentration of 12 % LEL with an extension
of 8 m
A point detector located within the gas cloud will give a reading of 12 % LEL = 12 % FS.
An open path detector monitoring the entire gas cloud will give a reading of 1 LELm =20 % FS.
In this case, the sensitivity of the open path detector is factor 1.7 higher than the sensitivity of the
point detector.

In order to maintain good sensitivity when there are gas leaks, open path gas detectors should be
located near potential sources of gas leaks. Open path detectors are only able to measure the part of
the gas cloud that is inside the measuring path. To enable detection of large gas clouds with low
concentration and to avoid reduced detection capability, it is crucial to locate the detectors in such a
way that the whole gas cloud comes within the measuring path.

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1.3.3 Gas leak generating a gas cloud with 100% LEL concentration and 4 m extension
randomly within the measuring path of the open path detector
A comparison between an open path detector with aring path of 16 m and 3 point detectors located 4
m apart along the measuring path of the open path detector.

5 m gas cloud
100 % LEL

P P P

20 m measuring path
1 of 3 point detectors will show 100 % LEL = 100 % FS.
The open path detector will show 5 LELm = 100 %FS.

Both installations have identical detection capacity with the difference that the point detectors give a
more precise indication of the location of the leak.
1.3.4 Gas leak generating a gas cloud with 12 % LEL concentration and 8 m extension
randomly within the measuring path of the open path detector
A comparison between an open path detector with a measuring path of 16 m and 1 point detector
located in the middle of the measuring path of the open path detector.

8 m gas cloud
12 % LEL

20 m measuring path

The point detector will show 12 % LEL = 12 % FS.

The open path detector will show 1 LELm = 20 % FS.
The open path installation is factor 1.7 more sensitive than the point detector installation.

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1.3.5 Gas leak generating a diffuse concentration of 20 % LEL

20 % LEL diffuse concentration

P P P

20 m measuring path

All point gas detectors will show 20 % LEL = 20 % FS.

The open path detector will show 4 LELm = 80 % FS.

In this case, the open path installation is factor 4 more sensitive, but the point detector gives a more
accurate picture of the danger level.

1.3.6 Conclusion
Open path sensors are more sensitive than point sensors when exposed to diffuse gas leaks. An open
path sensor can make up for a number of point sensors. As an example, an open path sensor with a
measuring path of 20 m can replace 3 point sensors. Point sensors, on the other hand, are very
reliable under extreme weather conditions, and the measuring path can not in any way be blocked by
objects or passing persons.

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