Versatile digital gas controller monitors gas and controls of jet fans in Icelandic parking garage 

The DGC-06 controller series from MSR-Electronic is used for monitoring and warning of toxic and combustible gases and vapours as well as in the freon refrigerant sector of the gas measurement technology. The large number of freely configurable parameters and setpoints enables its individual adaptation to many applications. The controller thus fulfils, for example, the functions for carbon monoxide (CO) monitoring in parking garages according to the current EN 50545-1.

The DGC-06  Digital Gas Controller has been developed for large systems or even for extensive connections. There is hardly a scenario in gas monitoring which this controller will not cover. Everything is possible, from complex multi-storey car parks to access functions that are activated by gas alarm. The DGC-06 Gas Controller series can monitor and evaluate up to 128 gas sensors, including 96 PolyGard®2 digital and/or 32 analogue sensors (4–20 mA). Four freely adjustable alarm thresholds are available per sensor. For alarm messages, the controller system has up to 128 relays with potential-free changeover contact and up to 16 analogue outputs with 4–20 mA signal.

In a parking garage in Reykjavík, MSR-Electronic’s gas controller takes on another significant task. The DGC-06 not only monitors and evaluates the gas sensors but also controls the ventilation of the jet fans (smoke exhaust fans) with an EC drive.

For effective ventilation of garages, high utilisation factors must be taken into account. The exhaust gas load increases explosively up to twenty-fold compared to normal operation, e.g. when all cars leave the garage at the same time after an event. “A bad atmosphere” prevails in the truest sense of the word. Jet fans are used in parking garages for daily ventilation and have to ensure smoke removal in case of fire.

The DGC-06 from MSR not only monitors the concentration of carbon monoxide in the Icelandic car park, but also controls the ventilation according to special time requirements. For example, on weekdays the jet fans run at 50 % from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. In the interim time, they're out. For protecting in an emergency against smoke poisoning and poor visibility, the ventilation switches to 100 %. Audible and visual alarm signals alert the parking garage users.