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Instruction 3015-4286 3
Functional Overview
General Description
Ammonia monitors are specified to support compliance to federal, state and local safety codes governing
gas emissions. Avoiding significant ammonia loss reduces equipment replacement costs, maintains
equipment efficiency, promotes safety, and protects the environment.
The Bacharach AGMSZ (Ammonia Gas Monitor Single Zone) is designed to continuously test for the
presence of ammonia gas in an area that is located up to 50 ft (15.2 m) away from the monitor. The
AGMSZ displays the type of gas being monitored, along with displaying both the current gas level and the
peak gas level detected in that area on its front panel LCD. The monitor retains a log of previous readings
that can be easily accessed for analysis.
An audible alarm and front panel indicators are provided to signal alarm and fault conditions, and relay
contacts are provided that can be used to trigger external alarm devices in the event of a system fault, or if
a leak (small), spill (medium), or evacuation (large) level of gas is detected. The system also includes a
4−20 mA current loop interface that can be connected to remote monitoring equipment.
The AGMSZ requires only minor periodic maintenance such as the occasional replacement of filters. The
monitor incorporates active diagnostics that continuously check the system for proper operation. A front
panel indicator is provided to alert an operator of system malfunctions, and fault codes are generated that
enable the operator to identify the cause of the fault.
Understanding Monitoring Levels
Effective use of this monitor requires an understanding of what constitutes reasonable alarm set points for
the type of gas being monitored. Most systems leak some gas. In a good “tight” installation these
background levels will be acceptably low and often do not require corrective action. You can reduce
nuisance alarms and needless service calls if the alarm levels are set at practical limits.
The AGMSZ is shipped with its leak, spill, and evacuate alarm levels set at 100, 300, and 500 ppm,
respectively. Setting the monitor at these recommended alarm levels will satisfy the needs of most users.
However, the ppm levels generated by system leaks into the environment are greatly influenced by the
volume of air in the sampling area, air circulation, size of the leak, distance to the monitoring point, and a
host of other variables. In some cases the alarm set points may need to be adjusted either up or down to
achieve effective monitoring.