FIX800 CO (Carbon Monoxide) Gas Detector Installation — Pellet Wood-Fired Steam Boiler Plant (Pyeongtaek)

CO Gas Detector Installation at Pellet Boiler Steam Production Plant — Pyeongtaek

A steam production facility in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, which burns pellet wood as fuel to generate industrial steam, engaged WANDI's authorized distributor to install fixed-type CO (carbon monoxide) gas detection equipment inside the plant. Following an initial site survey visit and a subsequent installation visit, two units of the WANDI FIX800 fixed gas detector were deployed alongside indoor and outdoor LED display boards, providing continuous real-time CO monitoring and enabling workers to verify internal gas concentrations before entering the facility.

WANDI FIX800 fixed-type single-beacon gas detector

Installation Specifications

Semi-enclosed plant interior and high-temperature pellet boiler combustion zone

CO Hazard Characteristics in Biomass Combustion Environments

• Pellet wood combustion produces CO as an inevitable by-product; even brief exposure at elevated concentrations can cause acute carbon monoxide poisoning in enclosed spaces.
• CO is colorless and odorless — it cannot be detected by human senses alone, making fixed continuous monitoring essential in high-temperature boiler rooms.
• The Korea Occupational Safety and Health Act designates CO as one of the five critical gases requiring monitoring in confined or semi-confined workspaces; the applicable measurement range is 0–1,000 ppm.
• Ambient temperature near the boiler area is significantly elevated, which can accelerate CO accumulation and reduce the safe working time for personnel inside the facility.
• Human exhalation alone can raise ambient CO to approximately 8 ppm; in an active combustion environment with insufficient ventilation, concentrations can escalate rapidly to life-threatening levels.

Korea's legally designated 5-gas confined-space monitoring standard

CO concentration reference: even normal human exhalation reaches roughly 8 ppm CO

Safety Training and Installation Process

With both FIX800 detectors and LED display boards on hand, the team confirmed the installation layout inside the plant.

Prior to on-site work, the installation team conducted a brief safety briefing with plant personnel covering confined-space hazards and correct evacuation procedures in case of a high-CO alarm.

Installation then proceeded with the two FIX800 detectors and both LED display boards mounted in their designated positions.

Once installed, both LED display boards were powered on and confirmed operational — one inside the plant for workers, and one outside the entrance for pre-entry checks.

The detector at the worker entrance door was installed first, ensuring anyone entering the facility could check ambient CO levels immediately.

A cable tray was then constructed to route both power supply cables and RS485 communication lines connecting the internal detectors to the external display board, protecting the wiring in the high-temperature, high-humidity environment typical of a steam plant.

After final wiring and function testing, both detectors and display boards were confirmed to be operating correctly, and the installation was completed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was a fixed CO detector chosen over a portable unit for this application?

Fixed detectors provide continuous 24/7 monitoring without requiring personnel to carry equipment, which is critical in a semi-enclosed combustion environment where CO can accumulate at any time — including during unmanned periods. The WANDI FIX800 also supports external display boards, enabling remote visibility of gas concentrations from outside the plant.

What is the measurement range set for the CO detector at this facility?

The CO detectors were configured for a measurement range of 0–1,000 ppm in accordance with Korea's Occupational Safety and Health Act standards for confined spaces. This range allows early-warning alarm triggering at low concentrations while also capturing high-concentration events during or immediately after combustion.

How do the LED display boards improve worker safety?

Two LED signboards were installed — one inside the plant so workers can see live CO readings at a glance, and one outside at the entrance so personnel can check internal conditions before entering. This dual-display configuration prevents workers from unknowingly entering an already-contaminated space and allows supervisors to monitor conditions without entering the hazardous area.

How were the detectors and display boards connected?

A cable tray was constructed to route both power supply cables and RS485 communication lines from the internal detectors to the external display board. This structured wiring approach protects cables in the high-temperature, high-humidity environment typical of a steam plant and ensures signal integrity over the required cable run.

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