REFRIGERANT LEAK DETECTION
We have an unrivalled expertise in creating gas detection systems using the MSA Bacharach range of detectors.
MSA Bacharach is a world leading manufacturer of Refrigerant Gas Detection equipment for the HVAC-R market. Maxey Moverley is proud to have been a Bacharach Distributor, Installer and Maintainer for over 10 years.
We have unique experience of integrating the full MSA Bacharach range into refrigeration and HVAC control systems. Our solutions provide analogue, Modbus, or IP connectivity to RDM Data Managers and 3rd party BMS systems to ensure compliance with F-Gas regulations, saving money by early detection of refrigerant loss and ensuring systems are fully operational 24/7. We provide a complete range of services from design, specification, supply, installation, and commissioning through to full-life maintenance.
Range Overview
The MSA Bacharach range of refrigerant gas leak detection systems has a comprehensive range of solutions for every end user application. Always ensuring compliance with F-Gas, the systems are fully scalable from single point detectors to fully integrated multi-channel and multi-gas sites, with a detection sensitivity as fine as 1ppm.
The MGS range of detectors offer a fully modular set of solutions to cover virtually all gas types and configurations. Easy to install and operate, they integrate seamlessly with Data Manager and BMS panels to provide a comprehensive refrigeration monitoring and control solution.
At the top of the MSA Bacharach range is the MZ range of aspirated gas detectors, which are the most sensitive units on the market today. They are designed for supermarkets. Distribution centres and large buildings, and offer a very cost effective and powerful solution. They a key to an effective refrigerant loss reduction strategy and can easily save far more in refrigerant than the cost of the equipment.
Explore the range below for more details or speak to one of our experts to see how these systems can be tailored to your specific requirements.
Installation
To help you identify and meet your F-Gas obligations and other gas detection objectives, we offer free site assessments prior to quotation to fully understand your requirements. Our experienced team can fully design Gas Detection systems to fit site and regulatory requirements, whilst providing the most cost effective solution. Our team of fully manufacturer trained engineers undertake installations and commissioning across the UK.
Maintenance
We maintain hundreds of systems throughout the UK across a wide range of gases, system types and manufacturers, ensuring F-Gas compliance and minimising the leaks of refrigerant gases. This enables our customers to detect leaks wherever and whenever they occur – a vital Health & Safety, Compliance and Cost consideration.
Our maintenance arm is backed by Maxey Moverley’s unrivalled technological prowess as a repair centre. This enables us to successfully maintain systems that manufacturers have condemned as being obsolete, but with the Maxey Moverley approach can provide years of additional cost effective service. Furthermore, we can provide a condition based upgrade programme as part of the maintenance package to ensure estates are kept in tip top condition, avoiding costly and disruptive upgrade roll outs.
Connectivity
Refrigerant Gas Detection systems, however good their sensing technology, are not fully compliant or effective if they only provide the most basic of information to the end users. A surprising number of installed systems are not fully integrated to the RDM Data Manager or 3rd party BMS nor provide the information to ensure reliable uptime.
We have utilised our knowledge of Bacharach equipment, RDM Data Managers, systems connectivity and UK store/site formats to create an unrivalled suite of solutions.
A Maxey Moverley-Bacharach detection system utilises the power of connectivity to provide:
- Full IP connectivity to a Data Manager, BMS and/or monitoring bureau
- An ability to mix and match sensing technologies (Aspirated/Infra-Red/Semiconductor) and detected gases onto the same system
- Multi-level alarms communicated locally through sounder/beacons and remotely through to the FM monitoring bureau
- Unrivalled system monitoring information accessible remotely
Compliance
Gas detectors designed to help comply with ASHRAE 15 and 34, EN 378, and CSA B52 are to protect someone from entering a mechanical room with refrigerant concentrations that could be harmful to their health. These protection levels are outlined in the safety standards to be about 1000ppm, 8-hour TWA depending on the type of refrigerant being used in the equipment. The alarm setpoints, location, and a number of detection points outlined in the safety standards are typically insufficient for finding the more common, smaller leaks that add up to large annual refrigerant emissions, decreased efficiency, and overall safety.
FAQs
How do you check for refrigerant gas leaks?
A technician can detect a refrigerant leak by using ultraviolet (UV) dye. An HVAC technician will send a fluorescent dye through your system to find the source of the leak. Once it circulates throughout your HVAC system, a detection lamp is used to find the leak’s exact location.
What is the most common source of refrigerant leaks?
Refrigerant leaks occur due to poor installation of some aspects of your HVAC unit. For instance, the most common cause of a leak is due to overtightening the flare connections. You should only allow a licensed professional to install your air conditioning system to avoid a freon leak.
What does a refrigerant leak smell like?
The chemical refrigerant is maintained at high pressure, so it hisses when it leaves the coil. You may smell an odor of ether, chloroform, or sweetness from the vents or the air conditioner itself. This is the odor of the refrigerant
MGS Range of Detectors
Modern refrigeration systems are designed to be efficient and leak free, but improper installation, inadvertent damage or mechanical wear can result in potentially hazardous leaks. With their rapid response time, low-temperature performance (-40° F / C) and integrated audio & visual alarms, MGS Gas Detector Range make compliance with safety regulations simple and easy
- Optional IP41 or IP66-rated enclosures protect from dust and water ingress
- Plug-and-play pre-calibrated sensor modules allow for quick, simple sensor replacement
- Temperature-compensated measurements mitigate false alarms and optimize accuracy in refrigeration applications (suitable for use in cold rooms and freezers down to -40°C)
- Configurable analog output(4-20mA, 0-5V, 0-10V, 1-5V or 2-10V) and Modbus communications for integration with third-party BMS / BAS control systems
- Three user-configurable relays (fault, low and high alarm) may be used to activate external beacons / sounders, ventilation or other countermeasures
- Integrated audible / visual alarms for refrigeration safety compliance – no additional hardware required
- MGS-400 mobile app (available for Android and iOS)allows users to interface via Bluetooth® with gas detector for easy commissioning and maintenance without specialty tools or training
MGS-401
The MGS-401 Entrance Monitor provides improved safety for entrances to monitored areas such as mechanical rooms or walk-in freezers and coolers.
MGS-402
The MGS-402 Gas Detection Controller centralizes the status of up to two gas detectors, a complete package for your safety compliance application.
MGS-408
Bacharach’s MGS-408 Gas Detection Controller centralizes the status of up to 8 gas detection channels in a single location.
MGS-410
Bacharach’s MGS-410 Gas Detector makes compliance with mechanical equipment room and refrigeration safety codes simple and easy, saving you time and money.
MGS-450
Bacharach’s MGS-450 Gas Detector makes compliance with refrigeration safety codes simple and effective, saving time and money on equipment and installation.
MGS-460
Bacharach’s MGS-460 Gas Detector makes compliance with mechanical equipment room and refrigeration safety codes simple and easy, saving time and money on equipment and installation.
MGS-250
Bacharach’s MGS-250 Infrared Refrigerant Gas Detector is the leader in performance and flexibility. It meets ASHRAE 15, EN 378, and CARB RMP compliance requirements.
MGS-550
The MGS-550 Dual Gas Detector can utilize any combination of sensor technologies, including electrochemical, semiconductor (MOS), catalytic bead or infrared.
MVR-300
The MVR-300™ VRF is specifically designed to provide continuous monitoring for refrigerants associated with high-efficiency, high volume refrigerant cooling and heating systems.
Product Range
Achieving compliance with safety standard EN 378 is essential in ensuring the safety of your staff, customers, and equipment. For areas of operation where there is a high refrigerant emission risk, a high-performance diffusion or aspirated refrigerant detection system is essential.
The detector solution that is right for your requirements depends on the type of gas being detected, the number of detection points, and the degree of sensitivity required. The below table will help to select the detector type required.
Aspirated Detectors
The aspirated range of MSA Bacharach Leak detectors will detect even the lowest levels of gas, down to 1ppm. This means that both moderate and small leaks will be detected. The key benefit is to detect those small, weeping leaks, which drain refrigerant from the system over time and are very costly. A detection sensitivity of 1ppm means that all small leaks can be detected, meaning a zero leak policy can then be followed. The fixed detection points will be accurate enough to point to an area of the site where the leak is occurring. Using the PGM-IR would then enable the leak to be quickly and accurately located and fixed.
These systems are not only compliant with EN-378 and safety standards but can be a central part of your leak elimination strategy. There are MSA Bacharach aspirated detectors for one, four, eight and sixteen channel systems. An additional relay output module is also available to fully link the detector system to dispersed alarms and fan controls.
MultiZone Gas Detectors
Bacharach’s Multi-Zone offers an industry leading MDL of 1ppm for halogenated gases, the fastest sampling frequency and the widest range of refrigerants accurately detected.
Single Zone Gas Detectors
Bacharach’s Multi-Zone offers an industry leading MDL of 1ppm for halogenated gases, the fastest sampling frequency and the widest range of refrigerants accurately detected.
PGM-IR
The PGM-IR offers superior performance and functionality for low ppm level leak detection of refrigerants, Carbon Dioxide, Nitrous Oxide or Sulfur Hexafluoride.
Contact Us
To speak to a member of our friendly customer service team about any of our products or services, please do not hesitate to contact us on the details below:
Telephone: (+44) 1527 522 299