Gas protection is the prevention or control of the penetration of hazardous gases into buildings or other types of real property. It usually involves either blocking entry pathways or removing the source of the gas.

Hazardous gases

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 A gas explosion is an explosion resulting from mixing a gas, typically from a gas leak, with air in the presence of an ignition source. In household accidents, the principal explosive gases are those used for heating or cooking purposes such as ...

in the 1980s in

Loscoe Loscoe is a village near Heanor in Derbyshire, England, lying within the civil parish of Heanor and Loscoe. It had prominent coalmines in the 19th and 20th centuries. Denby Common and Codnor Breach are hamlets on the western edge of the vil ...

and Abbeystead, England. UK regulatory bodies such as Building Research Establishment, British Standards, the Department of Environment, and others in the construction industry have developed and published guidance for preventing such gasses from entering buildings. Their production in the environment is associated with coal seams, deposited river silt,

sewage Sewage (or domestic sewage, domestic wastewater, municipal wastewater) is a type of wastewater that is produced by a community of people. It is typically transported through a sewer system. Sewage consists of wastewater discharged from residenc ...

landfill A landfill site, also known as a tip, dump, rubbish dump, garbage dump, or dumping ground, is a site for the disposal of waste materials. Landfill is the oldest and most common form of waste disposal, although the systematic burial of the waste ...

waste, and peat. In the case of

landfill gas migration Landfill gas migration is a complex process in which gases produced by waste in a landfill move from the site of original deposition to other places via diffusion, usually from areas of high concentration to low. The process is also affected by ...

, gas is produced by organic materials in the waste degrading over time. Typically 40% carbon dioxide () and 60% methane () by volume, this gas can be heavier than air or lighter depending on the concentration (which varies from time to time), but will move from an area of high pressure to one at a lower pressure irrespective of its relative density.

Usage

Systems to prevent gas ingress include a passive barrier or, less commonly, an active system. Passive systems utilize a barrier with low permeability, such as a membrane. Active systems are mostly employed on commercial properties because of the associated costs. There are two main practical types of active systems to prevent the ingress of gases into buildings: positive pressurization, and forced ventilation. Gas Membrane 2

Integrity testing

Both passive and active systems require "gas integrity testing", most often using the

NHBC The National House Building Council, usually known as the NHBC, states its primary purpose as raising the construction standards of new homes in the United Kingdom (UK), and providing consumer protection for homebuyers through its 10-year Buildm ...

traffic light system. This is because the conditions under which gas membranes are installed are often difficult and can adversely compromise the integrity required by the manufacturer or client. The purpose of the test is to ensure integrity and allow the installation to be certified if the method of protection performs correctly.

Membrane testing

The membrane is tested immediately after installation and prior to being covered up by any following construction processes. 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. Any leaks are identified and sealed, and the membrane is re-tested before it passes and the certificate is issued.

Active system testing

Active systems require a test of the alarm in case of failure of the system or power supply and possible buildup of gas.

References

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Sources

* BS8485. * Department of the Environment, The control of landfill gas, Waste management paper No 27. * Department of Environment, Landfill sites development control. * Guidance on evaluation of development proposals on sites where Methane and Carbon dioxide are present, incorporating Traffic Lights. Rep Ref.10627-R01-(02) Milton Keynes; National House Building Council. Environmental mitigation Landfill Pollution control technologies