The threat

Large buildings with varying heating and cooling requirements need large plant equipment. This is typically located within chiller, HVAC or plant rooms. Failure or faults of this equipment can cause significant loss of refrigerant charge which may go unnoticed. Small leaks can make the whole system inefficient and more expensive to operate but also pose a health risk to occupants as refrigerant gas depletes oxygen and, in severe cases, can cause suffocation.

The solution

Installing a fixed point refrigerant gas leak detection system will monitor for potential leaks and can give audible/visual alarm as well as the ability to connect to a BMS if available.

Sensors are positioned close to primary sources of potential leaks – for example near fan coil units, pipework joints, compressor compartments of chillers or the base of pipework risers.

Safety first

The AquiTron MSR range provides extended safety and complies with more than the global standards.

The AT-MSR sensor for refrigerant gas targets a range of commonly used refrigerants such as A1 gas (R410A), A2L gas (R32) or A3 hydrocarbons (like propane R290).

Single or multiple sensor systems

While keeping design flexibility we have organised these products into three distinct ranges for ease of flexibility depending on the size of application and number of sensors required. This is typically based on the number of rooms and their size.

Contact us for further details. Our quotations and estimating team for guidance on which system to use, product selection and a quotation.

Where to position a sensor

It’s important to know that most Refrigerant (Freon) gases are heavier than air. Therefore, sensors should be located at low level and, for optimal efficiency, the sensors should be mounted close, or below, the refrigerant / air conditioning equipment. If you have an air handling unit or ducted air supply system, we can also offer an ‘air duct set’ which allow the air in the duct to be sampled to see if any refrigerant gas is present.

AquiTron AT-MSR applications

Key locations and applications where monitoring of refrigerant gas leaks is essential.

Refrigerant gas used in all refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment can be found in virtually all types of commercial buildings (including hospitals, office buildings, data centres, schools, universities and residential buildings) to regulate temperatures and keep mechanical and electrical equipment running properly.

Air conditioning plant rooms

Chiller plant rooms

Air handling unit plant rooms and voids

HVAC-R ductwork

Heat pump equipment and plant rooms

Cold rooms, walk-in freezers, cold storage

If you can’t find your application above and you’re looking for a sensor system to safeguard people in occupied spaces within residential and commercial buildings such as hotels, apartments, hospital rooms and offices then view our AT-SRG range of sensors here.

The Manufacture MSR have a vast range of products and sensor options for many applications. If you don’t see the sensor or system you are looking for, please contact us.

The refrigerant – Freon gases we can detect include those shown in the table below

If you can’t see the gas you are looking for, please contact our technical team.

Regulations, standards and compliance

Leak Detection sensors and systems are required by many standards and regulations to protect both people and the environment from the harmful effects of leaking refrigerant gas. As well as ensuring safe and reliable operation of your HVAC-R system, AquiTron AT-MSR sensors can contribute towards compliance of the following standards:

BS EN 378: 2016
Refrigerant Safety Compliance

This is a standard that sets out the safety and environmental requirements of refrigerating systems and heat pumps with an aim to minimise the risk of hazards to people and the environment, minimise product failures and enhance overall operational efficiency of the system.

A critical part of this is refrigerant leak detection and the installation of a system to protect people in occupied spaces.

BREEAM Pol 01:
Impact of Refrigerants

This is the leading and most widely used environmental assessment method for buildings.

When a refrigerant gas leak detection system is installed, one credit is available when using AquiTron AT-MSR sensors.

F-Gas

Under F-Gas rules, refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump systems require mandatory leak test checks.

The frequency of these checks can be reduced based on system/charge size and whether a fixed leak detection system is installed.

Larger systems containing more than 500 tonnes of CO2 equivalent of HFC refrigerant must be fitted with a fixed leak detection system.