Portable Draeger Gas Detectors in the UK

When working in enclosed spaces or environments where there is even the slightest risk of harmful or poison gases, gas detection is essential. Gas detection units can be installed in and around a working environment, but sometimes it is essential to carry a gas detector whilst entering a potentially risky area. Portable gas detectors are the answer in these situations.

There are a wide range of gas detector manufacturers out there and most brands will do a decent job of protecting you in the event of a gas leak. However, Draeger Portable Gas Detectors are one amongst the best available when it comes to gas leakage detection and safety. The range of Draegar portable gas detectors are intelligent and versatile gas measuring instruments that can quickly detect toxic gases. Some of the main features include:

• User easy-install electrochemical Draeger Sensors
• Low maintenance requirements
• User-adjustable alarm settings
• Special exposure alarms

A selection of popular portable draeger gas detectors available at Ess-Safeforce are as follows:

1.) Draeger X-am 2000 Gas Detector: This is the new generation of gas measurement instruments, which are adjusted to the requirements for personal monitoring. With an integrated rubber boot, gas access from two sides, which prevents the sensors being covered, and dust and water density according to IP 67 the Draeger X-am 2000 offers much more reliability.

The new minimized, high-performance Draeger XXS-sensors have fast response times and offer the possibility of performing a bump test in only 10 seconds. Furthermore, they offer a lifetime of 5 years. With its convenient mobile phone shape, a light weight design and long-life sensor, the Draeger X-am 2000 is perfect for personal air monitoring.

With its neat ergonomic design, mobile phone dimensions and a low weight this Gas Detector has a great range of features:

· 3 or 4 Gas detection – FL/O²/H²S/CO
· IP67 – dustproof and watertight for 30 minutes at depths of up to 1 metre
· Gas inlets on two surfaces, improving gas sensitivity
· Acoustic / visual / vibration alarm
· Strong metal clip
· Weight: 220g
· Operating Time: 12 hours +
· Charging Time: 4 hours or less
· Data logging: Last 1000 hours
· ATEX II 2G EEx iad IIC T4/T3
· Optional 12v/24v vehicle charger

2.) Draeger X-am 5000 Portable Gas Detector: This is one of the smallest gas detection instruments for up to 5 gases. The Draeger X-am 5000 is part of the new generation of gas detectors, developed especially to be portable for personal monitoring. This 1 to 5-gas detector reliably measures combustible gases and vapours as well as oxygen and harmful concentrations of CO, H2S, CO2, Cl2, HCN, NH3, NO2, PH3 and SO2. A variety of special calibrations for the catalytic Ex sensor allow even more sensitivity when detecting specific combustible gases and vapours. Equipped with durable XXS sensor technology, the Draeger X-am 5000 offers maximum security, and extremely low operational costs. Features include:

· Ergonomic mobile phone design
· Innovate Ex sensor with full range functionality
· Durable electrochemical sensor technology
· Flexible and adaptable sensor exchange
· Robust and water-tight
· Optional External Pump
· Calibration options
· Flexible Power Supply

Despite its advanced functionality, the Draeger X-am 5000's lightweight mobile phone design makes it comfortable to carry. Reduced to its essentials, the two button control panel and easy to follow menu system allow for intuitive use.

Ess-Safeforce is one of the largest providers of Portable Draeger Gas Detectors in the UK. It has a wide range of fixed, transportable and portable gas detectors available to detect and monitor the leakage of harmful gases and evaporation of toxic vapours. The portable draeger gas detectors are handheld gas detectors generally intended for use in small and confined spaces. The fixed gas detectors are tough and very flexible so that they can adapt to specific user requirements. The transportable gas detectors are not as small as the portable models, but can be transported from one place to another. Both single gas detectors and multi gas detectors are available to buy or hire at Ess-Safeforce.com.

Safety Harness at your Work Place

Anyone working at heights or employing people who work at heights, will understand the risks involved, and the dangers of a fall or personal injury, and so should ensure strict safety measures are adhered to. A safety harness at your work place is must! We all know that sometimes safety measures can seem like a barrier preventing a job being done quickly, but safety measures are not there to hinder, but for very good reasons. Any reputable employer will understand the safety of his employees is essential for a successful business.

ESS-Safeforce provides a wide range of safety harnesses. ESS Safeforce specialize in the distribution of full line quality safety harness equipment, and as experienced trainers in the safety of working at heights they know what is the right equipment for the task.

Following are a few reasons that show why the safety harness products offered by ESS-Safeforce are the best for you:

• Provide assured safety and protection against on-the-job safety hazards.


• All the products are 100 % guaranteed to provide the highest level of quality and safety every time.


• All the products can be purchased or hired online at reasonable prices.


• The products have been used worldwide by many workers.

Over the years ESS-Safeforce has provided a diverse range of safety solutions to its clients across the UK. As a market leader in the hire of safety equipment it is able to deliver an unparalleled level of quality and breadth of safety equipment to its clients. The team at ESS-Safeforce understands the connection between the user and the correct safety harness to be worn and therefore offers a range of such products to meet every situation. Its safety products can be used for the following purposes:

• Respiratory Protection – This equipment protects from respiratory problems caused by fire, smoke and dust.


• Thermal Imaging – to aid working in dark environments


• Rescue Operations – specialist rescue equipment


• General Safety equipment


• Communication Equipment – used for communication purposes when working in dangerous environments.


• Inspection Equipment – used during inspection operations.


• Environmental Instruments


• Environmental Cleaning


• Environmental Inspection


• Harness Requirements


• Working at Heights equipment


• Hearing & Head Protection

Some of the leading safety harness products in which ESS-Safeforce deals are:

1. Confined Space Rescue Harnesses
2. Dual Purpose Harnesses
3. Height Safety Harnesses
4. Powered Access Harness Kits
5. Pitched Roof Work Positioning Systems
6. Rope Pole Straps
7. Scaffold Hooks
8. Auto Reel plus Retractable Lanyard and many more…….

When it comes to industrial safety equipment ESS Safeforce are the experts.

How to Work Safely in Confined Spaces?

What is a confined space?

The Health and Safety Executive describe a confined space as ‘a place which is substantially enclosed (though not always entirely), and where serious injury can occur from hazardous substances or conditions within the space or nearby (e.g. lack of oxygen)’. A confined space will often have poor ventilation & visibility, hazardous air breathing conditions and restricted / limited entry and exit routes, hence it is essential if you are working in or around confined spaces, or where there is a risk of entrapment in a confined space, to understand the risks and to know how to deal with them should a situation occur.

So the question arises…”How to Work Safely in Confined Spaces?”. Understanding how to work safely in a confined space can only be learnt through expert advice and proper rescue training. This is not an area to cut corners, this type of training should be provided by confined space safety and rescue experts. Qualified trainers will personalise a course to deal specifically with your working environment, identifying the potential risks and preparing the learner with the knowledge & practical training to deal with a situation should one occur.

The dangers of Confined Spaces:

Preparation is the key to coping with confined spaces. Confined space rescue training, will help you identify possible risks and to enter a confined space prepared. Lack of oxygen and hazardous fumes are the most common dangers when working in a small area. Even if you have the latest monitoring equipment and checks in place, there is always the possibility that something could go wrong. If explosive gases collect in a confined space there is also the risk of explosions. Finally, there is also the possibility that an area could collapse blocking exit/entry points or trapping a member of the confined space rescue team. Proper training is essential to understand how to spot the risks before they happen, and how to act should a situation occur.

It is a well know expression that “Prevention is better than cure” and this is never truer than when working in hazardous or flammable atmospheres. Knowing how to wear and utilise breathing apparatus, flame-retardant gear and rescue equipment when working in a confined space can mean the difference between life and death. A sobering thought for any worker.

Simple precautions such as ‘standby and rescue’ can often prevent injury and death related to working in and near a confined space. By assigning a “standby” person, whose only two duties are to keep in contact with each worker in a confined space and to alert the appropriate person or team should an emergency situation arise, can and does save lives. Such a simple step, but so often over looked.

ESS-Safeforce is one of the leading providers of confined space training in the UK and overseas. In excess of 20,000 delegates a year are trained on how to work safely in confined spaces.

Breathing Apparatus in the UK

Breathing apparatus is an air independent breathing set to supply the wearer with breathing air from composite cylinders. They can be used in all kinds of working and rescue operations.

The various types of breathing apparatus include Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), Closed Circuit Breathing Apparatus (CCBA), Airline System, Full Face Masks, and Half Face Masks.

Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) provides the wearer with breathable air regardless of the ambient atmosphere. It provides clean air and respiratory protection in oxygen deficient or toxic environments. Such types of breathing apparatus are often used by fire fighting units and industrial units are often used for emergency escape and short duration operations.

Closed Circuit Breathing Apparatus (CCBA) provides superior respiratory protection in Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) environments for up to 4 hours. Conventional SCBA’s are limited to just one hour or less and do not provide the extended time that is required in critical operations such as: search and rescue, hazardous materials clean-up, or mine and tunnel rescue. The low profile of the CCBA makes it easy to use under protective clothing and the user can be supplied with oxygen via mixed gas, liquid or chemical bounded oxygen.

Operations lasting several hours are possible with an Airline System. It is possible for several users to be supplied with air simultaneously and the equipment can be used for a variety of applications, from maintenance tasks to decontamination.

A full face mask covers the face and protects the eyes. The density line goes from the forehead over the cheeks and down to the chin providing a close fit. Generally a full face mask will contain an inner mask to reduce the carbon-dioxide concentration of the inhaled air.

ESS-Safeforce is the UK leading name in the specialist field of safety equipment and confined space training. It has the expertise to understand the challenges of the environments in which people work and can be confident that it will deliver the right solution first time and every time.
ESS-Safeforce has a wide range of safety products such as the Sabre ELSA Sprint that is a positive pressure escape set providing air on demand for situations where the escape route may require a lot of physical exertion or where the maximum levels of protection are required. Then there is the Sabre ELSA (Emergency Life Support Apparatus) which is designed for rapid escape from hazardous industrial and marine environments. These are just to name a few. There are many more breathing apparatus and safety equipment that can be used during rescue operations.

ESS-Safeforce operates a Confined Space Safety & Rescue Service that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It also provides emergency hire equipment requirements to support major incidents and nightshifts.