Standard for Gas and Vapour Detectors and Sensors, Including Accessories
Scope:
Scope
1.1 This standard applies to fixed, portable and transportable toxic and combustible gas and vapor detectors and sensors, including accessories, intended for use in ordinary (non-hazardous) locations for use in indoor locations, outdoor or unconditioned areas.
1.2 This standard covers gas and vapor detectors and sensors that are factory-calibrated and sealed with no means for recalibration or field maintenance by a qualified service personnel including:
a) A toxic gas sensor and/or detector with detection and/or alarm limits within the applicable Time Weighted Average (TWA) concentration, as specified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, or
b) A combustible gas detector with detection and/or alarm limits at or below 25% of the Lower of the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL),
c) A combustible gas sensor up to and including the LEL.
1.3 A gas detector and/or sensor and/or vapor detector, as covered by these requirements, consists of an assembly of electrical components coupled with a sensing means inside a chamber, or by separate components to detect toxic and/or combustible gases or vapors and in accordance with National Electrical Code, NFPA 70, the Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, NFPA 72, and Fuel Gases and Warning Equipment, NFPA 715. The detector includes provision for the connection to a source of power and signaling circuits and optional remote control circuits. Additional functionality, such as a heat detector, heat sensor, smoke detector, smoke sensor, or audible signaling appliance/device, is permitted to be incorporated as part of the toxic combustible gas and vapor detector assembly and are to be evaluated to the applicable standard(s).
1.4 These requirements cover the following types of detectors and sensors:
a) Those intended for monitoring the environment, areas inside ventilation ductwork, and detectors and sensors intended for open area protection which are connected to a compatible power supply or control unit for operation as part of gas detection or emergency signaling systems;
b) Those intended solely for control of ventilation or shut off devices such as fans or control valves;
c) Those intended for both of the above applications;
d) Sensors and sensing circuits intended for use with or in gas detectors, alarms or gas detection circuits within fuel cell systems;
e) Portable gas detectors and sensors;
f) Transportable detectors and sensors;
g) Multi-gas gas and vapor detectors; and
h) Multi-gas gas and vapor sensors.
1.5 This Standard also covers all remote accessories that are intended to be connected to a gas or vapor detector and/or sensor.
1.6 This standard does not cover the following:
a) control units to which the detectors are intended to be connected that are covered by CAN/ULC-S527, Standard for Control Units for Fire Alarm Systems; and CAN/ULC-S545, Standard for Residential Fire Warning System Control Units;
b) Self-contained single and multiple station carbon monoxide alarms or residential combustible gas detectors, not intended for connection to a system control unit, that are covered by the Standard for Single and Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide Alarms, UL 2034 or Residential Gas Detectors, UL 1484;
c) Automatic flammable vapor sensor systems and components covered by the Standard for Automatic Flammable Vapor Sensor Systems and Components, Z21.94/CSA 6.3;
d) Equipment intended for use in hazardous (classified) locations.
e) A sensor used solely as part of a multi-criteria smoke detector, covered by CAN/ULC-S529, Standard for Smoke Detectors for Fire Alarm Systems;
f) A heat detector or sensor incorporated as a part of a carbon monoxide detector assembly, and covered by CAN/ULC-S530, Standard for Heat Actuated Fire Detectors for Fire Alarm Systems; and
G Devices that are part of a manufacturing process interface or control.
1.7 Users of these requirements will additionally need to ensure that influencing factors not addressed in this standard for the end product installation, such as mechanical movement, field placement of conductive material, and product damage, will not affect the system for insulation coordination or performance operation. Examples are the deformation of the enclosure, movement of the fittings for conduit or armored cable, or the improper installation of field wiring.
Project need:
The THC goal is to merge the requirements from ULC-S588, first edition, and UL 2075, second edition, into one standard serving both Canada and the United States. The benefits realized by creating a binational standard are:
1) A single standard for Canada and the United States where minor, negligible differences in requirements are eliminated through harmonization.
2) Users will need to acquire and be familiar with just one standard for both countries.
3) Testing labs will be able to accept each other's test data with more confidence knowing that minor differences in requirements have been harmonized. This will strengthen confidence in the results of accreditation audits.
4) Similar, but different language for identical requirements are harmonized, resulting in eliminating the need to interpret different wording.
5) Except for country-specific requirements, users need only work with a unified binational standard.
6) Public proposals to revise or enhance the binational standard will get broader review, since it will be examined by experts in both countries.
7) Future proposals to harmonize existing country-specific requirements will be reviewed by the binational community resulting in a more coordinated effort of review, comment, and debate before voting.
Note: The information provided above was obtained by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) and is provided as part of a centralized, transparent notification system for new standards development. The system allows SCC-accredited Standards Development Organizations (SDOs), and members of the public, to be informed of new work in Canadian standards development, and allows SCC-accredited SDOs to identify and resolve potential duplication of standards and effort.
Individual SDOs are responsible for the content and accuracy of the information presented here. The text is presented in the language in which it was provided to SCC.