GDI Sentinel portable measuring instrument has revolutionised gas detection and monitoring in underground mines as it is able to transmit gas intersections to the control room from the working face. What mine operators find handy about the instrument’s three sensors allow for up to a four-gas configuration with a combination sensor, simplifying what is normally a convoluted process of gas detection and monitoring enabling mines to improve compliance.
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the burden for mine operators to comply with legislation on Mine Occupational Health and Safety in different countries (with respect to South Africa, Sections 54 and 55 of the Mine Health & Safety Act). This necessitates seeking effective ways of managing different interventions or tools implemented to mitigate identified safety risks in underground mining environment. One of the areas this applies is in detection of the hazard of different hazardous gases.
Ideally, every device used in the detection and monitoring of a specific gas has to be managed effectively. However, in reality, it is an unimaginable logistical nightmare to effectively monitor and manage every single risk separately. It is time-consuming and laborious, which can result in loss of productivity as well as escalation of safety risks it is meant to mitigate. Imagine juggling focus from a device used in methane to another used to monitor carbon monoxide, then another one. As well-intentioned as the exercise may be, unavoidably, something is bound to give.
The Integrated Monitoring Approach
For years, Schauenburg Systems (Pty) Ltd, an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for mine safety, had been observing escalating safety risks that clients experienced when monitoring gases using disparate systems. After Research and Development (R&D), the OEM established that a flexible and comprehensive gas detection solution is a more practical alternative.
Revolutionising gas detection and monitoring
End-user feedback that Schaunberg Systems has gathered suggests that the GDI Sentinel portable measuring instrument, has revolutionised gas detection and monitoring in underground mines. This is particularly due to the instrument’s ability to transmit gas intersections to the control room from the working face. What mine operators find handy about the instrument is that three sensors allow for up to a four-gas configuration with a combination sensor. The Sentinel is equipped with a passive RF Interface that makes fire patrol functionality possible based on locations being represented by unique passive tag IDs that do not require a power source.
What’s more, the instrument can be used as a comprehensive standalone product. Small and robust enclosure, it is ideally suited for the harsh African mining conditions.
Schauenburg’s GDI Sentinel Gas Detection Instrument has the following device features:
- 4 Gas portable instrument – 3 sensor ports
- Inductive charging
- Battery duration – 16 hours
- Rubber moulding/shock absorbent
- Capacitive touch buttons
Simplifying compliance
It does not have to be overemphasised that the GDI Sentinel Gas Detection Instrument is even more relevant considering that the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the burden of compliance with occupational health and safety regulations on mines. Considerably, the multigas functionality simplifies what is otherwise a convoluted process of ensuring compliance. Ultimately, mine operators are assured of improved workers safety and high productivity.
