A new standard approved in December 2023 made it mandatory to install a methane or LPG gas detector in all residential accommodation for short and/or tourist rental.
It is an important measure that guarantees the safety of those who live in a property for a short period of vacation or work. But it also protects the owner from unpleasant situations and trouble, as well as preserving the house and increasing its value.
The risk, however, is that the new obligation provokes a race to "do it yourself" or to save. Since we are talking about people’s safety (a subject in which Geca has over 50 years of experience), it is important that the decision to comply with regulations is accompanied by a conscious choice of the product to be installed.
Not all CNG or LPG gas detectors are the same, have the same performance and guarantee the same ease of use and effectiveness over time. In many import products, the lack of production quality standards, insufficient quality controls and poor raw materials can compromise the security of the property and tenants.
On the market, therefore, you will find different types of detectors, at prices that vary depending on the quality of the materials (and in particular the sensor, as we will see later), the operating characteristics, availability, ease of assembly.
But what are the characteristics of a reliable and safe gas leak detector?

What is a gas detector and what to buy

Let’s start from the beginning.
A methane or LPG gas leak detector is a device equipped with a sensor that serves to protect your home (or workplace) and who lives there, detecting the presence of gas in the air. These gases are used as energy sources, for example for cooking or heating the environment, but can become dangerous if they accumulate in excessive quantities.
The detector is a kind of sophisticated "electronic nose". When it detects the presence of a quantity of gas above a certain threshold, it emits an acoustic and visual alarm to warn of the potential danger.
Methane, for example, is a highly flammable gas and can cause explosions when it accumulates in the environment.

Why is it important to have a gas detector?

Natural gas and LPG are odorless and colourless gases, so it is impossible to perceive their presence with our senses. For this reason, to increase safety, before being distributed are added to odorous substances, such as mercaptan or ethanol, which release an unpleasant smell (commonly said of eggs or rotten cabbage).
This is necessary in order to detect any gas leaks before it is too late.
Unfortunately, however, it is not enough to reduce the risk optimally. Hearing "the smell of gas" is not always a reliable indicator of an escape. In addition, the concentration of gas may be too low to be perceived by the smell of a human being.
That is why installing gas leak detectors in domestic environments where methane or LPG is used is a life-saving action. Leaks mostly occur due to outdated or damaged pipes. They should be replaced periodically, but often not (for example, because they are in uncomfortable positions to reach).
The risk of accidents is not so remote, as evidenced by the latest report of the CIG, the Italian Gas Committee, a federated body at UNI whose purpose is to improve safety and efficiency in the use of combustible gases: in four years (2019-2022) there have been 983 accidents (about two every three days), which resulted in 121 deaths (an average of 2.5 per month) and 1507 injuries.

Difference between detector and sensor

We have named both of them and it is worth specifying what the difference is, because it happens that they are mistakenly used as synonyms and are confused with each other:

• detector: is a complete device equipped with one or more sensors, a data processing system and a visual and/or sound alarm.
• sensor: is the heart of the detector, that is, the component that detects or measures a specific parameter in the surrounding environment. In the case of gas detectors, the sensor is the component that detects the presence of gas in the air, the "electronic nose", in fact.

The detector processes the data sent by the sensor and, according to certain parameters, in case of anomalies, triggers the alarm.

How to choose a safe and reliable gas detector

There are few but essential elements to evaluate before buying a methane or LPG gas detector:

1. design - a quality luminaire is also handy, simple to use, accessible, easy to install and integrates into any environment. These are all requirements that benefit the end user, both in terms of daily use, maintenance or periodic replacements: the installer will take less time to do the operations, ensuring lower costs and rapid intervention;
2. materials - plastics are not all the same. A good container for electronic equipment must be made of a thermoplastic material with precise electrical characteristics that guarantee durability and resistance to heat and shock;
3. alarm - must be both acoustic and optical, so that everyone is able to perceive it, even people with limited hearing or visual abilities;
4. sensor - the best for the detection of gas leaks is the catalytic one, which are equipped with our Gamma 652-O detectors that is also used industrially. At home, some manufacturers install electrochemical sensors. The latter are cheaper, but are sensitive to moisture and therefore less reliable. Ensuring that the sensor is of the highest quality allows to minimize false alarms, preserving user confidence and ensuring continuous protection. In fact, the repeated false alarms given by a low quality sensor, could lead the owners to disable the device, with the consequence of worsening home security.

Safety has no price

Finally, make sure that the equipment is installed by qualified personnel. Even the world’s best gas detector will not give you safety guarantees if it is not placed in the correct way, according to the specifications dictated by the UNI11522 standard. A qualified installer will issue you a document of compliance to protect you and tenants.
When it comes to people’s lives, relying on a guaranteed product is crucial.
Gamma 652-O, the Geca gas detector (in the two versions Methane and LPG) complies with UNI11522 and is the ideal choice for those who want a reliable, safe and easy to use device. With its high-level, high-quality catalytic sensor, it protects you from false alarms; while a red LED and a powerful acoustic alarm warn you well before the conditions for an explosion arise.
Gamma 650-O is manufactured and tested in Italy by Geca, a company with over 50 years of experience in the security sector. And this is a guarantee of prompt delivery of products and spare parts and unrivalled after-sales service.
Choose a quality product so you can really sleep soundly, knowing that your safety, that of your family or those who live in your property is in good hands.
Choose Geca, choose security.