Gas protection

Gas protection is the prevention or control of the penetration of hazardous gases into buildings or other types of real property.

Methane (which is flammable at 5-15% by volume in air) and carbon dioxide (which is toxic) are the most relevant gases, especially following two gas explosions in the 1980s in Loscoe and Abbeystead, England.

There are two main practical types of active systems to prevent the ingress of gases into buildings: positive pressurization, and forced ventilation.

The area below the membrane is temporarily pressurized with a mixture of clean air and a non-toxic and inert tracer gas that is sensitive to detection.

Special equipment is then used to trace all leaks within the installation, with particular attention being paid to critical points and junctions formed between the membrane material and other structural elements prior to conducting a sweep of the complete area.