EasyGas by Tecnocontrol: the Portable Gas Detector for Safety in Confined Spaces

In confined spaces - manholes, tanks, culverts, technical rooms, processing areas and industrial sites in general - the presence of toxic gases or oxygen deficiency remains one of the leading causes of serious workplace accidents.

For those who design, install and maintain systems in these environments, a reliable portable gas detector isn't optional: it's a personal protective device that must always be worn before entering a hazardous area. EasyGas by Tecnocontrol was designed for exactly this purpose: a compact, rugged single-gas detector certified for the most critical atmospheres, built to keep the operator safe at every stage of the job.

The regulatory framework: why gas monitoring is a requirement, not a choice

Italy's Legislative Decree 81/2008 (the consolidated act on workplace safety) requires employers to assess the risk of hazardous atmospheres and provide workers with suitable detection equipment before entering confined spaces. Presidential Decree 177/2011 further requires companies working in confined or potentially contaminated spaces to hold a specific qualification, which includes equipment and procedures for continuous atmosphere monitoring.

Added to this is the technical standard UNI 11958:2024, in force since 14 November 2024, which sets out requirements and operating procedures for portable gas detectors - a direct reference for anyone who has to select, calibrate and maintain these instruments in compliance. In this context, a certified, precise and easy-to-use detector like EasyGas becomes the tool that lets installers meet the standard and, above all, concretely reduce the risk to themselves and their team.

EasyGas by Tecnocontrol: technology and technical features

EasyGas is a portable single-gas detector manufactured by Tecnocontrol, a company that has been active in gas detection since 1967. It uses high-performance sensors and advanced signal processing to accurately and reliably detect more than 18 different gases, even in extreme environments, showing the measured value in real time on a large, clear 1.6" FSTN LCD display that stays readable even in poor lighting.

Key specifications:

• Dimensions: 66x69x24 mm without clip, 66x69x41 mm with belt clip

• Weight: 105 g (with clip)

• Display: 1.6" FSTN LCD, real-time reading

• Ingress protection: IP68 (waterproof and dustproof)

• Operating humidity: 0-95% RH, non-condensing

• Alarms: visual (LED), audible (100 dB buzzer at 10 cm) and vibration, with adjustable low, high, TWA and STEL thresholds

• Battery life: over 2 years without battery replacement, thanks to ultra-low-power electronics (replaceable 2/3AA lithium battery, 3.6V, 1.65 Ah)

• Self-test: automatic check of sensor, circuitry and battery

• User options: reset of peak, TWA and STEL values, alarm lock on/off, adjustable calibration and bump test intervals, zero and gas calibration

On intrinsic safety, EasyGas is certified ATEX (II 1G Ex ia IIC T4 Ga, -40°C≤Ta≤60°C), IECEx (Ex ia IIC T4 Ga) and KCs (Ex ia IIC T4) - markings that confirm its suitability even for the most severe explosive atmospheres, in line with the IEC 60079 standards. Warranty is 2 years on both instrument and sensor for the O2, CO, H2S, NO2 and PH3 versions, and 2 years on the instrument with 1 year on the sensor for the remaining gas versions.

Sensor range and detectable gases

One of EasyGas's strengths is its availability in 18 models, each dedicated to a single gas: this single-gas approach simplifies calibration, lowers the cost of managing a fleet of instruments, and lets every operator be equipped with the detector best suited to the specific risk on site or in the plant.

Interface, calibration and operational safety

EasyGas is designed to be used without extensive training: a compact, wearable design with an alligator belt clip, and a single button that handles power, menu navigation and calibration functions. A double click from the reading screen opens the INFO menu, which scrolls in sequence through peak value, bump test due date, calibration due date, low and high alarm thresholds, TWA, STEL and firmware version.

The most common maintenance procedures are just as straightforward:

• Power on/off: press and hold the button for 3 seconds, with an automatic self-test on startup

• Zero calibration: double click from the main screen, to be performed in clean air with 20.9% oxygen

• Span/gas calibration: press and hold the power button for 9 seconds, then apply the calibration gas via the calibration cap included in the box

• Bump test: a quick check of the sensor's response, accessible from the Span calibration menu

Tecnocontrol recommends checking the sensor's response with a gas mixture above the alarm level before use, and calibrating at least every 180 days. Worth noting is STEALTH mode, which forcibly disables the alarm signals: it should be used with extreme caution, since it makes it harder for the operator to notice a hazardous condition. The battery and sensor are replaceable, but replacement should always be carried out by Tecnocontrol so as not to compromise the device's intrinsically safe design.

Typical applications for installers and system integrators

Thanks to its ATEX/IECEx certification and the choice of 18 detectable gases, EasyGas fits a wide range of operating environments where installers and system integrators need to guarantee safe access:

• Manholes, tanks and vessels: checking the atmosphere before entering spaces with possible oxygen deficiency or a build-up of toxic gases

• Culverts, tunnels and sewer networks: continuous monitoring during maintenance work or system installation

• Industrial plants and machine rooms: checking for leaks of process gases (CO, H2S, NH3, Cl2, among others) near at-risk equipment

• Quarries, mines and extraction sites: protecting operators in environments with limited ventilation

• Maintenance on refrigeration and HVAC-R systems: detecting any leaks of refrigerants or process gases

In all these scenarios, the combination of compact size (105 g), multi-year battery life and instant alarms makes EasyGas a device the operator can wear for an entire shift, with no trade-off between safety and everyday operability.

Why choose EasyGas

EasyGas combines sensor precision, ATEX/IECEx certification for the most severe atmospheres, over 2 years of battery life and a single-button interface that keeps training needs to a minimum. It's the tool built for anyone who, every day, has to meet the regulatory obligations of Legislative Decree 81/2008, Presidential Decree 177/2011 and UNI 11958:2024, without giving up ease of use and field reliability.

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