G – as in gas detector

What is a gas detector?

A gas detector is an important measuring instrument that warns of dangerous gas concentrations in the air. It is a cost-effective solution for individual protection against flammable or toxic gases. A small device with a very big impact.

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Which gas detector does St. Kilian use?

We use the Gasman gas detector. This is a portable single-gas detector that measures the oxygen content in the air. If the carbon dioxide content in the air is too high, resulting in an oxygen concentration that is too low, i.e. there is a risk of suffocation, the Gasman sounds an alarm.

How does the alarm manifest itself?

The gas detector warns the wearer of a dangerous gas concentration with a penetrating alarm sound, optical signals, and additional vibration. It also displays the current gas reading on the display.

What is carbon dioxide?

Carbon dioxide – also known as CO₂ – is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that occurs naturally in the atmosphere. The proportion of carbon dioxide in human breath when exhaling is about 4%. Larger amounts of carbon dioxide are produced during alcoholic fermentation in a brewery or whisky distillery.

What makes carbon dioxide so dangerous?

Carbon dioxide is harmful to health in higher concentrations: From a proportion of approx. 5% CO₂ in inhaled air, drowsiness and headaches occur. Longer inhalation of higher concentrations of approx. 8% and more can lead to death. Carbon dioxide is heavier than air and therefore accumulates at the bottom of a container or room.

When must the Gasman be worn?

As soon as work on our fermentation tanks is necessary and requires entering the washbacks (e.g. for cleaning purposes), our employee must be equipped with a Gasman on their person to ensure their safety at all times.

Are there other gas detectors?

Throughout the St. Kilian Distillers production area, additional sensors are installed in the floor that constantly measure the concentration of carbon dioxide and sound an immediate alarm if the concentration increases. This ensures the protection not only of our employees but also of our numerous visitors.

How is carbon dioxide removed from our washbacks?

On the side of our wooden fermentation tanks there are several connections with pipes that lead into a larger collection pipe. The carbon dioxide exits the production building into the open air via this collection pipe and its gradient.