Manufacturers Reprint

Gas Detection for Waste Treatment, Collection & Processing

NEC1 AREA ELECTRICAL CLASS
All semi-enclosed and enclosed process
areas in the collection system and
processing areas are classified as Class I,
Division 1 or Division 2, Group D. The
hazards are leakage and ignition of the
sewage gases and potential ignition of
floating flammable liquids. Ventilation of
an area may reduce classification to
Division 2 or not classified. Distance from
process equipment may reduce or
eliminate hazardous classification.
Consult Article 500 of the NEC and NFPA
4962 for more information.
GAS DETECTION REQUIREMENTS
Combustible Gas Detection is required by
NFPA 820 in many areas of the collection
system and processing plants. Hydrogen
Sulfide and Oxygen monitoring may also
be required depending on the influent
characteristics, persistence in the mains
and whether or not the area is enclosed
and or ventilated. Methane Gas Sensors
are placed within 12 inches of the roof of a
structure. When Oxygen deficiency and
Hydrogen Sulfide are monitored, the
sensors are usually placed in the breathing
zone (4 to 6 foot elevation). NFPA 820
requirements and the need for toxic and
Oxygen deficiency monitoring are
summarized below.

COLLECTION SYSTEM AND LIQUIDS TREATMENT GAS DETECTION 3, 4

PROCESS
PROCESS
AREA
AREA

AREA
AREA
CLASS AA

Storm
StormWater
Water Wet
Wet
Well
Well
Combined
Combined or
or
Sanitary
Sanitary
Wet Well
Well
Wet
Sewage Pumping
Pumping
Sewage
StationWet
Wet Well
Well
Station

HAZARDSSS
HAZARDS

STRATEGY
STRATEGY

Division 2
If Enclosed

LEL (Methane)
(Methane)
LEL
LEL (Floating
(Floating
LEL
Hydrocarbons)
Hydrocarbons)

SampleDraw
Drawfrom
fromHeadspace
Headspaceand
andnear
nearLiquid
Liquid
Surface
Sample
Surface
InstallInterior,
Interior,Exterior
Exterior&&Remote
RemoteAnnunciation
Annunciation
Install

Division 2
If Enclosed

S,OO22
(2) LEL,
LEL, HH22S,
(2)

SampleDraw
Drawfrom
fromHeadspace
Headspaceand
andnear
nearLiquid
Liquid
Surface
Sample
Surface
Interior,
Interior,Exterior
Exterior&&Remote
RemoteAnnunciation
Annunciation

Division 1 or
Division 2

(2)
S,OO22
(2) LEL,
LEL, HH22S,

Sample
SampleDraw
Draw
Interior,
Interior,Exterior
Exterior&&Remote
RemoteAnnunciation
Annunciation
Ambient
Monitoring,
Observe
Sensor
Placement
Guide
Ambient
Monitoring,
Observe
Sensor
Placement
Guide
OdorControl
Control Areas
Areas
LEL,
Odor
Division 2
LEL, FDS
FDS
Interior,
Interior,Exterior
Exterior&&Remote
RemoteAnnunciation
Annunciation
Division 1 or
Ambient
AmbientMonitoring
Monitoring
ScreenFacilities
Facilities
(2)
Screen
S,OO22
(2) LEL,
LEL, HH22S,
Division 22
Interior,
Division
Interior,Exterior
Exterior&&Remote
RemoteAnnunciation
Annunciation
Flow
Division 11 or
Ambient
Monitoring
Flow
Division
or
Ambient
Monitoring
LEL
LEL
Equalization Areas
Areas
Division 22
Interior,
Equalization
Division
Interior,Exterior
Exterior&&Remote
RemoteAnnunciation
Annunciation
Division
1
or
Ambient
Monitoring
Division 1 or
Ambient Monitoring
Grit
Removal
(2)
LEL,
H
S,
O
2
2
Grit Removal
(2) LEL, H2S, O2
Division 22
Interior,
Division
Interior,Exterior
Exterior&&Remote
RemoteAnnunciation
Annunciation
Aeration
Division 11 or
Ambient
Monitoring
Aeration
Division
or
Ambient
Monitoring
(2)
S,OO22
(2) LEL,
LEL, HH22S,
Sedimentation
Division 22
Interior,
Sedimentation
Division
Interior,Exterior
Exterior&&Remote
RemoteAnnunciation
Annunciation
Ambient
Monitoring
Ambient Monitoring
Oxygen
Aeration
Division
2
LEL
Oxygen Aeration
Division 2
LEL
Interior,
Interior,Exterior
Exterior&&Remote
RemoteAnnunciation
Annunciation
Breakpoint
Ambient
Monitoring
Breakpoint
Ambient Monitoring
Unclassified
Cl2, Ozone, NH3
Unclassified
Cl2, Ozone, NH3
Disinfection
Interior, Exterior & Remote Annunciation
Disinfection
Interior, Exterior & Remote Annunciation
Ambient Monitoring
Ammonia Stripping Unclassified
NH3, Other
Ambient Monitoring
Interior, Exterior & Remote Annunciation
Ammonia Stripping Unclassified
NH3, Other
Interior,
Exterior
& Remote Annunciation
Notes:a a All are Class I, Group D. bb Fire Detection denoted by FDS.
Notes: All are Class I, Group D. Fire Detection denoted by FDS.

SOLIDS TREATMENT PROCESS GAS DETECTION 5, 6

PROCESS
PROCESS
AREA
AREA

AREA
CLASS A

HAZARDS
HAZARDS

STRA TEG Y
STRATEGY

FROM NFPA 5-4.4 - Combustible gas

Scum
Division 1 or
SampleDraw
Drawfrom
fromHeadspace
Headspaceand
andnear
nearLiquid
Liquid
Surface
ScumHandling,
Handling,
Sample
Surface
LEL (Methane)
(Methane)
LEL
detection equipment located in hazardous Pits,
Division 2
InstallInterior,
Interior,Exterior
Exterior&&Remote
RemoteAnnunciation
Annunciation
Pits,Other
Other Areas
Areas
Install
(classified) locations, as defined in
Division 1 or
SampleDraw
Drawfrom
fromHeadspace
Headspaceand
andnear
nearLiquid
Liquid
Surface
Sample
Surface
Clarifier
LEL,
Clarifier
LEL, OO22
accordance with NFPA 70, National
Install
Division 2
InstallInterior,
Interior,Exterior
Exterior&&Remote
RemoteAnnunciation
Annunciation
Electrical Code, shall be listed for use in
Sludge Pumping
Pumping
Ambient
Division 1 or
Sludge
AmbientMonitoring
Monitoring
LEL,
LEL, OO22
Dry Wells
Wells
Interior,
such atmospheres. The detectors shall be
Dry
Division 2
Interior,Exterior
Exterior&&Remote
RemoteAnnunciation
Annunciation
Other
Sludge
Division
1
or
Ambient
Monitoring
set to alarm at 10 percent of the lower
Other Sludge
Ambient Monitoring
LEL,
LEL, OO22
Processes
Local
Processes
Division 2
Local&&Remote
RemoteAnnunciation
Annunciation
explosive limit (LEL) in accordance with
Anaerobic
the makers calibration instructions and
Anaerobic
Division 11 or
Ambient
Division
or
AmbientMonitoring
Monitoring
Digesters &&
LEL,
Digesters
LEL, OO22
shall be connected to alarm signaling
Division 22
Local
&&Remote
Annunciation
Division
Local
Remote
Annunciation
Process Areas
Areas
Process
systems.
EnclosedAreas,
Areas,
Division 11 or
Ambient
Enclosed
Division
or
AmbientMonitoring
Monitoring
Exception: Alarm limits shall be permitted
LEL,
FDS
LEL, OO22,,FDS
Galleries, Tunnels
Tunnels
Division 22
Local
&&Remote
Annunciation
Galleries,
Division
Local
Remote
Annunciation
to be set at a higher percentage of the
Aerobic
sludge
Ambient
Monitoring
Aerobic sludge
Ambient
Monitoring
explosive limit where experience indicates
Division
2
NH
,
FDS
Division 2
NH33, FDS
reduction
Local
reduction
Local&&Remote
RemoteAnnunciation
Annunciation
ambient levels are too high and spurious
Digester
Gas
Division
1
or
Ambient
Digester Gas
Division 1 or
AmbientMonitoring
Monitoring
LEL
alarms are probable.
LEL
Processing
Division 22
Local
Processing
Division
Local&&Remote
RemoteAnnunciation
Annunciation
ANNUNCIATION
Ambient
AmbientMonitoring
Monitoring
Chlorine Oxidation Unclassified
Cl2
Chlorine Oxidation Unclassified
Cl2
Visual and audible alarms shall be
Local & Remote Annunciation
Local & Remote Annunciation
provided at the entrance to all hazardous Notes: a All are Class I, Group D. b Fire Detection denoted by FDS.
a
b
classified areas, within such spaces, local Notes: All are Class I, Group D. Fire Detection denoted by FDS.
work areas and remote for supervisory
Communication.3
NEC: NFPA 70, National Electrical Code
Article 500 of NFPA 70 and NFPA 496, Standard for
Purged and Pressurized Enclosures

NFPA 820, Standard for Fire Protection in Wastewater Treatment and Collection Facilities, Tables 2-2, 3-2, and 4-2(a)
29 CFR 1910.1000, Table Z1; PEL (Permissible Exposure Limits) expressed as an 8 hour TWA (Time Weighted Average)
5 NFPA 820, Standard for Fire Protection in Wastewater Treatment and Collection Facilities, Tables 2-2, 3-2, and 4-2(a)
6 29 CFR 1910.1000, Table Z1; PEL (Permissible Exposure Limits) expressed as an 8 hour TWA (Time Weighted Average)

PPM HYDROGEN INTERFERENT TABLE

Gas
Carbon Monoxide

Exposure

Response

5 ppm

+1 ppm

Chlorine

1 ppm

None

Ethylene

1.3 ppm

+1 ppm

Gas Detection for Waste Treatment,

Collection
& Processing
Hydrogen Chloride
5 ppm
None
INTEGRATION STRATEGY
Integrating a Process and Personnel
protection gas detection system requires
that the notification and control procedures
mandated by Code and Law be followed,
including Insurance Company mandates.
Compliance with these issues is simplified
by using a Sensidyne Controller to process the
gas sensor inputs, provide annunciation and
supervisory control. A 4-Channel System is
illustrated below. Up to 16 gas sensors may be
accommodated by one Controller.

orHydrogen
Hydrogen),
the sensors
must be positioned
Cyanide
3 ppm
+1 ppm
within 12 inches of the ceiling or highest
Nitric Oxide
4 ppm
+1 ppm
point of an enclosed area. Heavier than air
Nitrogen
None
gases
likeDioxide
solvent vapors5 ppm
or Halocarbon
Sulfur
Dioxide
5
ppm
None
refrigerants should have the sensors placed
within 12 inches of the floor or lowest point
CO SENSOR INTERFERENT TABLE
in the enclosed area. Target gas density
Gas
Exposure Response
and potential
leak sources
should always be
Chlorine
1
ppma gas detection
None
identified when configuring
Ethylene
1.3 ppm
+1 ppm
system.
Hydrogen
Gas sensors are often
remotely
1.7 mounted
ppm
+1
ppm
from
the transmitter,
which
Hydrogen
Chloride
5 ppmis normally
None kept at
eye
level. These situations
arise due
to gas
Hydrogen Cyanide
5 ppm
+1 ppm
density variations or difficult access locations.
Hydrogen Sulfide
50 ppm
+1 ppm
Tubing is run to a calibration adapter on the
Nitric Oxide
5 ppm
+1 ppm
sensor
assembly, so that
routine calibrations
Nitrogen
Dioxide
5
ppm
-1 ppm
can be performed from the transmitter.
Sulfurconfigurations
Dioxide
5 ppm duct mounting,
None
Other
include
and drawing a sample from a remote or
AMMONIA INTERFERENT TABLE
inaccessible
location. The latter has a flow
Exposure
Responseas
switch toGas
indicate sample
system integrity,
Alcohols by Code.
1000 ppm
None
required
Carbon
Careful
attention to gas
Dioxide
5000sensor
ppm placement,
None
supervisory
control functions
Carbon Monoxide
100 ppmand emergency
None
response
planning will produce
a functional,
Hydrocarbons
% Range
None
accountable and low maintenance area
Hydrogen
10,000 ppm
None
monitoring system which complies with local
Hydrogen Sulfide
10 ppm
+1 ppm
codes
and laws.

GAS SENSOR MOUNTING

CONFIGURATIONS
Gas sensors are located in the breathing
zone (4 to 6 feet above floor) for gases similar
in density to air, including Oxygen deficiency.
For lighter than air gases, (Methane, Ammonia
Division 2 Sensor Mounting Options
Pumped
Sample-Draw,
Flow Switch
& Filter

Exposure

Response

Ammonia

Gas

100 ppm

None

Carbon Monoxide

50 ppm

+1 ppm

Chlorine

10 ppm

-1 ppm

Ethylene

100 ppm

None

Hydrogen

700 ppm

+1 ppm

Hydrogen Chloride

5 ppm

None

Hydrogen Cyanide

10 ppm

None

Nitric Oxide

35 ppm

None

Nitrogen Dioxide

5 ppm

-1 ppm

Sulfur Dioxide

5 ppm

+1 ppm

Standard
Transmitter-Sensor
Assembly
Remote Sensor
(High or Low)

2 or 3-Wire 4-20 mA
Available

H2S SENSOR INTERFERENT TABLE

Description

Product No.

SensAlertPlus Transmitters
2-Wire GP ....................................820-0201-01
3-Wire GP ....................................820-0202-01
3-Wire GP, with I.S. Barrier ............820-0202-04
3-Wire GP for use w/ relay card2 . ..820-0202-03
2-Wire HD, Div2 ............................820-0203-01
3-Wire HD, with I.S. Barrier ............820-0204-04
3-Wire HD, Div2 Standard Dome ...820-0204-01
3-Wire HD, Div2 Large Dome2 ........820-0204-02
2-Wire XP, Div1 ............................820-0205-01
3-Wire XP, Div1 Standard Dome ....820-0206-01
3-Wire XP, Div1 Large Dome2 . .......820-0206-02
SensAlertPlus Sensors
H2S 100 ppm................................823--0206-21
SensAlertPlus Accessories
Type S TOD Cell..............................821-0204-06
Relay Card.....................................700-0046-01
Moisture Barrier Assembly.............821-0201-01
Calibration Cup.............................821-0202-01
Rainshield.....................................821-0203-01
Remote Sensor Kit for Div. 1...........821-0207-02
Remote Sensor Kit for Div. 2...........821-0207-01
Duct Mount Kit..............................821-0209-02
Mounting Kit.................................821-0213-01