In contrast to smoke detectors, there is no obligation in Germany to install gas detectors, i.e. alarm devices for flammable or toxic gases. However, since all systems and appliances operated with gas are a potential source of danger, the detectors are important. After all, even a high gas concentration usually goes unnoticed because most gases are colourless and odourless, you are not at home or even asleep. Gas detectors, on the other hand, measure the room air continuously and warn when limit values are reached. In this way, they offer additional protection and enable quick action.
Most common sources of hazardous gases:
- Gas heaters, gas boilers & gas heaters
- Cookers with gas operation (also in caravans or holiday homes)
- (Gas) Fireplaces & Stoves
One source of risk is often overlooked: Gas is often used for cooking in caravans or mobile homes. Since these are very small rooms in which the gas concentration can quickly become dangerous, you should definitely set up a detector here.
These gases are acutely dangerous in your home or caravan:
- Carbon monoxide
- Smoke
- Nitrogen dioxide
- Methane & Propane
Here we have compiled a list of what constitutes the gases in detail, the symptoms by which you can recognise a high concentration of the gas in the air and the health effects to be feared.
Carbon monoxide - the respiratory poison
Carbon monoxide(CO) is astrong respiratory poison. However, the gas can neither be seen nor tasted , as it is colourless, odourless and tasteless. Dangerous concentrations are quickly reached in unventilated rooms. If CO enters the bloodstream, oxygen transport can be permanently disrupted. This is because carbon monoxide occupies the haemoglobin in the blood, so that considerably less oxygen can dock here. Carbon monoxide poisoning is imminent. From a saturation of 1.28 % carbon monoxide in the room air, you risk poisoning, which leads to death within one to two minutes. Anyone who heats with a wood-burning stove or gas heating, or lives in a heavily insulated apartment building, is exposed to a significantly higher risk.
Reading tip: Read our blog post for more information on how carbon monoxide poisoning is caused, the official limits for CO and how to monitor the gas reliably.
Smoke from fire or fires
Although not a "gas", smoke is physically particulates in extremely large quantities. As a rule, smoke occurs in combination with other combustion gases, acutely irritates the respiratory tract and blocks breathing and the absorption of oxygen. It is therefore dangerous in itself and continues to be representative of an acute danger of combustion.
Nitrogen dioxide - the pungent smelling gas
At Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) is a reddish-brown gas with a pungent chlorine-like odour.NO₂ strongly irritates the respiratory tract by constricting the bronchial tubes. It also promotes asthma and allergies. Asthmatics, allergy sufferers or patients with bronchial or chronic bronchitis are therefore particularly sensitive to high nitrogen dioxide pollution.
Even small amounts of NO₂ in the air we breathe can cause dizziness and headaches. But only larger concentrations of the highly toxic nitrogen dioxide are perceived by the characteristic pungent odour. Higher concentrations put you at risk of shortness of breath and water retention in the lungs (pulmonary oedema), which can cause chronic lung damage, irritation of the respiratory tract, chest pain or even death.
Methane & propane - the explosive gases
As a combustible gas Methane (CH₄) is a main component of heating gas. In low concentrations, CH₄ is non-toxic and only slightly stupefying. However, if the methane density in the room air increases, this can trigger respiratory problems.
Normally, however, methane poisoning does not leave any permanent damage, but it does significantly restrict performance. However, the so-called lower explosion limit (4.4 % by volume) is reached well before any health impairment. If this limit is exceeded in living spaces, there is an acute danger to life, as the gas forms an explosive mixture with the air. There is a danger of explosion in the case of a defective gas heating system from which methane is escaping!
Propane (C3H8) is also a colourless, flammable gas. However, it is easily recognisable by its odour, which is reminiscent of rotten eggs. An increased concentration in the room air has a narcotic to suffocating effect. Like methane, propane is heat-sensitive and highly flammable. If you use a propane cylinder, you should therefore always store it protected from direct and indirect heat. Explosive mixtures form from a volume fraction of 2.12 % in the air.
Signs of methane or propane poisoning:
- Weakening of the central nervous system
- Increased breathing & heart rate
- Low blood pressure with dizziness & lightheadedness
- At high concentrations, oxygen deficiency can lead to sudden unconsciousness & death.
You can read more about safe heating with a gas heater or gas boiler in our separate article. Here you can also find out what to do in the event of a gas leak.
Gas alarm detectors save lives
To minimise the risk of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide or methane poisoning, you should definitely install a reliable alarm in your flat or house. But not all gas is the same. You can usually get gas detectors that specialise in one substance, so you will need several devices if you want to monitor different gases. There are three different types:
- Carbon monoxide detectors that measure the amount of carbon monoxide (CO) in the air.
- Natural gas and town gas detectors monitoring methane and ethane.
- Liquid gas detectors that detect propane gas and butane gas in the air.
It is therefore better to use compact devices that monitor the entire room air with the help of several sensors and thus inform you about all potential pollutants. With an air-Q gas alarm detector, you can directly measure each of the substances described above.
Monitor gases in the room air with the air-Q
Even our entry-level version, the air-Q basic, offers very good protection that can measure all relevant gases except methane.
If the gas alarm function in the air-Q is activated via the app, the air-Q automatically sounds an alarm at critical levels of carbon monoxide, smoke (particulates) and nitrogen dioxide. A warning tone sounds as well as light signals. In addition, you can set a push message for the smartphone so that you are also informed about an increase in dangerous gases in your living space and can act accordingly.
To detect methane, you need at least the air-Q Pro gas detector. This uses a "trick" to reliably detect methane. The integrated oxygen sensor sounds an alarm when the oxygen level falls below 20 %. Because this never happens under normal circumstances. The only possible cause for such a significant drop in the oxygen content of the room air is other gases that displace oxygen - such as methane or propane.
For our ambitious customers who want even better protection and fine-tuned evaluation, an air-Q with methane sensor is interesting: as in the air-Q Science methane model. This sensor can measure methane specifically and detects even the smallest gas leaks very early: long before the explosion limit is reached and it becomes dangerous for you and your family.
(Images: Feature image Gary Barnes from Pexels/ Canva, Image Camper nomadsoulphotos/ Canva)
