Gas Detection for Refrigeration Systems and Heat Pumps: Sensitron Solutions for Compliance with UNI EN 378

For professionals installing and maintaining refrigeration systems, machinery rooms, and heat pump installations, compliance with UNI EN 378 is not just a theoretical requirement—it is a practical necessity that influences design choices, product specifications, and on-site responsibilities every day. This is exactly where Sensitron supports installers and HVAC-R companies, offering a range of gas detectors specifically designed to meet the requirements of the standard while simplifying day-to-day installation and maintenance.

Why EN 378 Matters to Your Work

UNI EN 378 specifies the safety requirements for people and property, provides guidance for environmental protection, and defines procedures for the operation, maintenance, and repair of refrigeration systems—a term that, within the standard, also includes heat pumps.

In practical terms, every time a machinery room, a commercial or industrial refrigeration system, or a heat pump installation is designed, installed, or serviced, compliance with EN 378—particularly Part 3, which covers installation site requirements—is an integral part of the technical work rather than a separate administrative obligation.

The industry's transition toward flammable and mildly flammable refrigerants makes this aspect even more important for field professionals, as proper refrigerant leak detection plays an increasingly critical role in ensuring overall system safety.

The technical principle behind compliance is straightforward, although not always easy to implement without the right equipment. The potential refrigerant concentration that could accumulate within an enclosed space is calculated by dividing the total refrigerant charge (kg) by the room volume (m³). Whenever this value exceeds the Practical Limit defined in Annex E of the standard, the installation of fixed point gas detectors becomes mandatory. Choosing the appropriate detector is therefore essential.

Sensitron: Over 35 Years of Gas Detection Expertise for the HVAC-R Industry

For more than three decades, Sensitron has been designing and manufacturing fixed gas detection systems, supported by an in-house R&D department dedicated to keeping its solutions aligned with evolving regulations.

Its product range for refrigeration and heat pump applications has been specifically developed to comply with EN 378-3, ISO 5149-3, EN 50676, EN 14624, and IEC 60335-2-40 Annex LL, giving designers, installers, and system integrators confidence that the products already meet the applicable regulatory requirements.

For installers, this offers a significant practical advantage: there is no need to interpret compliance requirements for each individual product, as conformity has already been built into the detector's design.

SMART3-R — The Detector for Machinery Rooms and Light Industrial Applications

The SMART3-R is Sensitron's solution for detecting explosive, toxic, and refrigerant gases in non-classified areas, making it ideal for refrigeration machinery rooms and light industrial environments.

Its key features include:

• 4–20 mA analogue output, RS485 serial communication, and up to three relay outputs, with standard 12–24 VDC power supply and an optional 230 VAC version for easy integration into existing control panels and systems.

• Flexible sensor installation, with either a directly mounted sensor or a remote sensing head connected via a six-wire cable, allowing installation even in complex machinery room layouts.

• Circular LED status indicator and integrated buzzer for immediate on-site diagnostics.

• IP54 protection rating, with optional RS485 and three-relay expansion boards to meet different installation requirements.

• Calibration and maintenance using the STS/CKD display keypad, enabling quick servicing without dedicated calibration equipment.

The detector is certified according to EN 50676, EN 378-3, EN 14624, IEC 60335-2-40 Annex LL, and ISO 5149-3, providing everything required to achieve machinery room compliance with a single product.

SMART3 Blizzard — Precision Detection with Remote Management

For installers managing multiple customer sites or maintenance contracts across distributed installations, Sensitron offers SMART3 Blizzard, a refrigerant gas detector featuring infrared sensing technology and advanced management through the SENSE interface.

Its combination of high detection accuracy, configurable alarm thresholds, and wireless maintenance capabilities makes it particularly suitable for service companies looking to reduce on-site visits while improving operational efficiency.

The multilingual SENSE interface (available in six languages) allows users to download reports and commissioning certificates, perform firmware updates remotely, and configure detector settings without physically accessing the installation. This not only reduces maintenance costs but also provides an added value proposition for end customers.

SMART3-H LITE and FM-LITE — Ideal for Hotels and Commercial Buildings

Beyond traditional machinery rooms, EN 378 also applies to refrigeration and heat pump systems installed in hotels and commercial buildings.

For these applications, Sensitron offers SMART3-H LITE, a cost-effective refrigerant gas detector equipped with a selective infrared sensor. It is also available as the recessed-mounted SMART3-H FM-LITE, providing a more discreet architectural integration often required in hospitality, retail, and commercial environments.

One Product Range, One Trusted Partner

For installers and HVAC-R companies, the value of choosing Sensitron extends beyond the regulatory compliance of individual products. The company offers a complete product portfolio capable of covering virtually every application—from industrial machinery rooms to hotels, from local protection systems to remotely managed multi-site installations—all based on the same quality standards and maintenance philosophy.

This means less time evaluating different suppliers for different projects and more time focusing on technical work and customer service.

The Complete Sensitron Product Range Is Available from MT Distribuzione

Contact your MT Distribuzione sales representative or email [email protected], call +39 045 509826, or visit www.mtdistribuzione.it to learn more.