Blog

Here at PK we sell lots of gas monitors. A large portion of those sales are for single gas hydrogen sulfide (H2S) monitors. Because we sell several brands and models of single gas monitors, the question is inevitably "what's the difference?" First let's start with the industry leader in single-gas H2S monitors - the BW Honeywell Clip H2S Monitor. This is a 2-year, fixed-life monitor that requires virtually no maintenance. With the single-gas BW Clip there's no need to change batte …

Crews tackling installation or replacement of natural gas mains need to purge the lines with an inert gas to eliminate the combustion hazard. Purge testing before work begins requires a gas detection device that won't be overwhelmed or damaged by the high gas levels found in this type of work. It's also important to realize that many gas detection sensors require oxygen for accurate measurements. Nitrogen is the gas most often employed to displace the natural gas when servicing main lin …

Some jobs require continuous gas monitoring of a space over time. Monitors like the Eagle 2 from RKI Instruments are designed to be used in this way, they are not permanent gas monitors, and should only be used in the continuous operation mode infrequently for short-term monitoring events. With the Eagle 2, the wall switch has a continuous operation switch for this type of operation. When used in this manner, the gas monitor does not need to have the NiMH batteries installed. However, in c …

We just wrote about what a great continuous topside monitor the RKI GX-2012 is. Apparently the word is already on the street. This photo was taken in downtown San Francisco recently. And while all we can guess from this photo is that there may be some vacuuming going on down in that confined space, we are heartened to see they are using not only the reliable RKI Instruments GX-2012, but they are also protecting the area with one of our Allegro Manhole Guard Rails. Safe confined space entry …

Colorimetric tubes are used to analyze a wide range of gases. This isn't new technology. Draeger made their first tubes in 1937. And while there certainly have been improvements and the range of testable gases has greatly expanded, the fundamental manner of determining chemical concentrations in the air has stayed basically the same. Draeger tubes contain a chemical color reagent that transforms colorless chemical compounds into colored, and produce consistent results of absorption dependi …

Safety professionals gain a greater degree of understanding and control over work or emergency environments containing dangerous atmospheres with a wirelessly broadcasting personal gas monitoring system. The biggest improvement with wireless over traditional personal gas monitors is that workers in dangerous areas, which are often loud industrial sites, would not be the only one to know if unsafe atmospheres are encountered. Managers and commanders are also monitoring the information and alar …

There are lots of companies out there that do occasional confined space entry work. OSHA requirements for employee safety stay the same whether workers enter these potentially hazardous confined spaces once a year or one thousand times. We've heard from customers over the years that want a kit for confined space entry that won't break the bank or make them invest heavily in equipment. That's why we developed the Confined Space Entry Contractor's Kit. This kit has all the required equ …

Confined space entry programs are developed in an attempt to account for any eventuality that may arise from performing work in the potentially life-threatening confined work areas we collectively call "confined spaces". The government work safety oversight body, OSHA, has extensive requirements for companies conducting this type of work. Yet every year, dozens of workers are killed in these spaces, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. One reason may be an unrealistic expecta …

Airlines are finding RamFans a cool way to boost profits. Every minute an airplane is on the ground, it stops making money. One of the reasons planes stay on the ground is the safety regulations regarding brake temperatures. It takes a tremendous amount of energy to stop a plane and that energy translates into high heat. Once the plane lands, the brake systems need time to cool down. Newer airplanes have integral fans and carbon braking systems, but they can still have heat issues. O …

Back in 1889, the same year the Eiffel Tower became the tallest structure on earth and Montana was admitted into the Union, Germans J. Heinrich Dräger and Carl Adolf Gerling founded a company that today employs over 10,000 people and has perhaps saved the lives of even more. Few companies in the safety industry are steeped with the history and reputation as the German-based Draeger (or, Dräger, as it's known outside of the US), and its longevity is no accident. Draeger manufactures an assortm …