[gthomson]

I added a Kidde detector that is supposed to detect combustable gases.
As far as I know, CO monitors/detectors don't do that.
But I don't hear much about combustible gas detectors being important.
My thinking was that it would help let me know if the fireplace, furnace, stove/oven, dryer had a leak.
And then I go to light a candle, incense, etc... - BOOM!

What are the thoughts on use of combustible gas detectors, and do you use them, and/or see them as an important thing to have in place?

Also, for what it's worth, the reason I got it was because I had a smell that seemed gaseous, and I thought it might have been from the newly installed/moved furnace to the garage.

Turned out it was the garlic I had curing in the nearby closet garage

 

[SW Dweller]

All of the gas detector I have used, industrial only. They had to be calibrated for a specific gas before taken into the field.

I have CO detectors in my home for combustion products. Not that I am sure they do anything.

 

[skyking1]

We have a standard 4 gas for confined spaces at the office.
CO
Low o2
Lower explosive limit combustible gasses
H2S

Same make as this, earlier model.
MSA Altair 4XR - Multi Gas Meter (LEL, O2, CO, H2S)

I have had it chase me out of a space a couple of times, both times for CO levels.

 

[Jim Port]

Gases used for heating and cooking etc has an odorant added to make detection easier. A meter would need to be calibrated to the specific gas to be most relevant.

 

[skyking1]

they detect gases the same way, with a catalytic bead combustible detector. It is not gas specific, nor does it use the odorant to "sniff" the gas. The odorant is for us humans and any animal we train to help out.
It will detect anything that will burn, before it gets to an explosive concentration.
"Every LEL gas monitor comes with a built-in sensor. The most common LEL sensor is known as a Catalytic Bead Combustible sensor. It detects gas through a process of catalytic oxidation. In layman terms, the heart of a catalytic bead sensor is the wheatstone bridge circuit formed by the two catalytic beads. One is used as a reference and the other is active. Voltage is applied to this active bead which heats it to a point that readily sustains combustion. As detectable gas is introduced, the active bead heats up even more causing a measurable change in electrical resistance. This linear response becomes the LEL% reading on the gas monitor."
Understanding and Using LEL Gas Monitors on a Construction Site

They do use power and I have to charge the meter daily when we use it.

 

[CaptTom]

No clue about home use detectors, but they're used on boats all the time. Usually in combination with a solenoid valve which shuts off the gas (propane.)

PROPANE FUME DETECTOR AND ALARM W/ SOLENOID & 1 PLASTIC SENSOR

Propane Fume Detector w/Plastic Sensor & Solenoid Valve - Black Bezel Display. Detects propane leaks early and automatically shuts off gas supply to prevent personal injury and possible explosions. 2-3/16" Round Black Display with LEDs & Silence/Test Button Solenoid Valve & Adapter...

shop.hamiltonmarine.com

 

[Nickd83]

I have LP and CO alarms in the house, connected to an alarm system. I figured it's cheap insurance for my family and pets. All electromechanical sensors (of which these are) degrade and need to be replaced as per instructions, usually 5-10 years. Macurco makes many different types of gas detection devices, for many industries.

Macurco Building and Home Solutions - Macurco Gas Detection

 

[skyking1]

the gas detector in our RV followed that pattern and crapped out at about 15 years.

 

[lenaitch]

Natural gas and propane detectors for residential use, often in combination with CO, are readily available. Some insurance companies require or at least strongly encourage them.

 

[skyking1]

After those house explosions in California, my wife is pleased that we don't have natural gas at the new house neighborhood and won't have that particular worry.

 

[gthomson]

After those house explosions in California, my wife is pleased that we don't have natural gas at the new house neighborhood and won't have that particular worry.

San Bruno a dozen years ago? That looks pretty crazy on what happened.

 

[skyking1]

no, there are a new bunch of explosions due to the meter getting iced in with this crazy spring weather.
3 apparent gas explosions in San Bernardino mountain homes worry local residents

 

[Old Thomas]

I have a combustible gas detector. I have little to no sense of smell, so I can’t smell leaking gas. A gas detector is the next best thing to a working nose. I also have a digital CO detector so I can look at it and see if any is present at a level below the threshold to sound an alarm.

 

[skyking1]

The times I got chased by CO, I was working in a type 1 CB at the bottom of a parking garage, and the big exhaust fan for the garage got turned off.
We were not parking in the garage, it was CO from the city traffic.

 

[rogerwh]

I want to tell the OP or anyone that smells gas in their home, to call 911, so the authorities can come out and see what or if you have a problem. The 911 service should notify the utility and the Fire Department to check out the smell. Most Fire Departments have combustible gas detectors to detect if and where the gas leak is. They put the odor in the gas for ONE reason and that is so, the gas can be detected by a human beings. Depending on a Gas Detector could be a mistake, because your gas detector could be defective, or not designed to detect the gas you are smelling.