Building owners and facility managers want to provide safe and effective parking garages while minimizing the energy costs associated with heating, ventilation and air conditioning. This application guide helps engineers, installers and integrators provide suitable gas detection systems for enclosed parking garages. Exhaust fumes emanating from fuel burning vehicles are highly toxic and can result in sickness and even death, if not ventilated properly. In parking garages ,CO and NO2 are two of the most abundant airborne contaminants. By monitoring the concentration of these fumes / gases and ventilating based on their concentration, a safe environment can be ensured.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas that is found in combustion fumes, such as those produced by cars and trucks and small gasoline engines. CO from these sources can build up in enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces and people in these spaces can be poisoned by breathing it. The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. High levels of CO inhalation can cause loss of consciousness and death.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a reddish-brown gas with a pungent, acrid odor and is one of a group of highly reactive gasses known as "oxides of nitrogen," or "nitrogen oxides (NOx)." NO2 forms quickly from car, truck and bus emissions. Health effects associated with nitrogen dioxide exposure (NO2) include eye, nose, and throat irritation. It may cause impaired lung function and increased respiratory infections in young children. Extremely high-dose exposure to NO2 may result in pulmonary edema and diffuse lung injury.

Gasoline is used as a fuel for engines in cars. It is colorless to pale brown or pink in color with a distinctive odor. Generally, the odor of gasoline provides adequate warning of hazardous concentrations. Gasoline is a volatile, flammable liquid. Its vapors may travel to a source of ignition and flash back. Gasoline vapors are heavier than air and may collect in low-lying areas. Typically, gasoline contains more than 150 chemicals, including small amounts of benzene, toluene, xylene, and sometimes lead.

Gasoline is used as a fuel for engines in cars. It is colorless to pale brown or pink in color with a distinctive odor. Generally, the odor of gasoline provides adequate warning of hazardous concentrations. Gasoline is a volatile, flammable liquid. Its vapors may travel to a source of ignition and flash back. Gasoline vapors are heavier than air and may collect in low-lying areas. Typically, gasoline contains more than 150 chemicals, including small amounts of benzene, toluene, xylene, and sometimes lead.

The Macurco 6-Series detectors provide CO, NO2 and EX gas detection and automatic exhaust fan, louver or valve control for automotive maintenance facilities, enclosed parking garages, utility rooms, warehouses and other commercial applications. These single point, low voltage, dual relay gas detectors have selectable 4-20 mA output, buzzer and digital display options. The 6-Series meet the requirements of the Uniform Building Code and International Mechanical Code for enclosed garages and meet environmental safety standards for CO and NO2 exposure. They can be used stand alone or with the Macurco DVP-120 Detection and Ventilation Control Panel. The alarm relay contacts that can switch up to 0.5 A 120V, or 60VA and can be configured to normally open or normally closed. The alarm relay is activated if gas reaches or exceeds the alarm setting and will deactivate once the gas concentration drops below the alarm set point. The dry contact, SPDT fan relay can switch up to 5.0 A up to 240 VAC and can be configured for latching or non-latching when activated (when the gas concentration exceeds fan relay set point). The Fan Relay will engage if the fan setting gas concentration is exceeded for longer than the Fan Relay Delay time. Unless it is configured for latching, the fan relay will disengage once the gas concentration has dropped below fan setting and the Fan Relay Run time has been exceeded. The fan relay can also be engaged in trouble fault condition. The on-board relays can be used to control fans, valves, louvers, horn, strobes and other devices or report back to fire/security panels. The relays can be wired in parallel when multiple detectors are used. In this configuration either detector can report independently. If the relays are wired in series, both detector must report to cause activation