Around ten years after the introduction of the first generation of the BM25, the measuring device continues to serve as a proven and reliable solution on the portable gas detector market. Al Masaood Oil & Gas, which became one of the first oil and gas suppliers and contractors of the United Arab Emirates after its foundation in 1971, can also testify to this. Al Masaood has supplied around 800 BM25 portable gas meters, including 200 of the latest generation wireless models, on a range of onshore and offshore projects. The company purchases the devices directly from Oldham-Simtronics.

"We chose the BM25 because we rely on the performance of this device in the harsh environments we work in," said Ammar Maarouf, Head of Airloop and H2S Safety Services at Al Masaood Oil & Gas. "The robust construction and intelligent design of the BM25 makes it one of the best gas detectors for applications where area monitoring is a critical element of the safety system."

Designed specifically for workforce safety and area monitoring, the BM25 is ideal for perimeter monitoring, rig maintenance and mobile or short-term projects where fixed warning systems are not a practical solution. The BM25 monitors up to five gases simultaneously and offers all the benefits of a fixed area monitor in a rugged, user-friendly, portable instrument. The portability in particular has long attracted the interest of Al Masaood.

With a workforce of 900 employees, Al Masaood Oil & Gas, based in Abu Dhabi, provides advanced energy services for upstream and downstream projects. Its Air Loop & H2S Safety division supplies, calibrates and services various application-specific products such as portable gas detection devices in the United Arab Emirates and sells and rents them out for a wide range of projects.

"Present us with a challenge and we will find the right solution," says Maarouf. "Gas detection and area monitoring have been our core competencies for many years. We use various solutions from 3M Gas & Flame Detection such as the PS200 multi-gas detector and the BM25."

Five gases can be monitored simultaneously with the BM25. Interchangeable sensors are available for AsH3, CO, CO2, H2, HCl, HCN, NO2, NH3, O2, PH3, SiH4 and SO2. If the BM25 detects a dangerous gas concentration, the signal light mounted on the device emits a flashing, bright signal in all directions as well as a loud siren alarm at 103 dB.

"The standard model of the BM25 sends warning signals via an alarm transmission cable, while the latest generation of the BM25 is already capable of transmitting alarms, faults and measured values using a wireless signal at 2.4 GHz," explains Maarouf. "This installation can be used to create a safety perimeter for a hazard detected in the atmosphere or to transmit a manual emergency signal within a large area."

The BM25 multi-gas measuring device is powered by a NiMH battery pack and provides up to 170 hours of uninterrupted operation. Other standard functions include the STEL (short-term exposure limit) and TWA (time-weighted average) values as well as a data logging capacity of more than four months.

The BM25 multi-gas detector from Oldham-Simtronics is part of the 3M gas and flame warning device. © 3M

The BM25 Wireless provides networking and communication functions for the Oldham-Simtronics MX40 gas detection panel, where all data can be centralized and up to 32 readings can be displayed in real time. When a BM25 issues an alarm signal, the MX40 also goes into alarm mode and can, for example, control internal relays and also request that other warning devices issue alarms. The control panel displays real-time gas concentrations, field device status, battery status, RF network signal quality and faulty diagnostic conditions.

The Oldham-Simtronics BM25 Wireless can be operated as a stand-alone warning device or connected to a mesh network to ensure gas detection in large areas. A mesh network allows direct communication with all other units within the network where relay data is sent and received. If a warning device is removed for charging or maintenance, the other warning devices are able to communicate across obstacles and change their communication paths. A total of 30 BM25 Wireless devices can be connected in a network and up to 16 independent networks can be operated simultaneously without interference.

"We have been using the BM25 and BM25 Wireless for many years now because they detect five gases simultaneously, are compact and are much more reliable compared to other suppliers' devices," explains Maarouf. "We also like the excellent connectivity of the BM25 Wireless, which offers our customers added value through wireless alarm transmission. As we always have a sufficient stock of detectors at Al Masaood, we can always respond quickly to our customers' requirements."

With 14,000 units in operation worldwide, the BM25 multigas detectors are considered to be technologically powerful and highly proven devices. These features are particularly important in safety-critical oil and gas applications, where errors in the detection of hazardous gases could have devastating consequences.