
Toxic Gas Monitoring and Control System Turnkey Solution
Implementing a secure, uniform site-wide system for enhanced safety and emergency response.
Challenge
MIT researchers utilize the latest in semiconductor manufacturing technology to develop new applications in the science of Microphotonics. This research incorporates the use of many hazardous chemicals and gases which present a life safety threat to the research teams in the laboratories and building occupants.
Solution
MIT chose Hallam-ICS to provide turnkey services for a new Toxic Gas Monitoring and Control System (TGMCS). Initially, Hallam-ICS worked with the MIT Microphotonics stakeholders, comprised of the Microphotonics lab manager, facility engineers, EH&S managers, and the senior fire safety engineer to identify the specific needs and requirements of the system. Hallam-ICS learned that the researchers preferred the use of extractive chemcassette technology for their highly toxic gas monitoring needs.
Hallam-ICS then established the site gas monitoring safety requirement specification and developed a TGMCS safety requirement specification that met the needs and approval of MIT stakeholders. With safety specification approval; Hallam-ICS designed the Microphotonics gas safety shutdown system. The final system design implemented an Allen-Bradley ControlLogix platform utilizing diagnostic input and output modules for supervised monitoring and failsafe operation.
The Hallam-ICS team was also responsible for the system installation, programming and commissioning. This includes the fabrication of UL508 certified control panels, installation of gas detection equipment, management of the electrical subcontractor, PLC and HMI programming and final system commissioning. The project had a very aggressive schedule.
Results
Our team accomplished the following:
- Comprehensive System Development: Delivered a turnkey Toxic Gas Monitoring and Control System (TGMCS), including stakeholder collaboration to establish safety requirement specifications and approval for a tailored gas safety shutdown system.
- Advanced Safety Integration: Designed and implemented a failsafe TGMCS utilizing Allen-Bradley ControlLogix with diagnostic input and output modules for supervised monitoring and extractive chemcassette technology for toxic gas detection.
- Efficient Execution Under Tight Timeline: Completed system design, UL508 certified control panel fabrication, equipment installation, programming, commissioning, and electrical subcontractor management within an aggressive project schedule.