Materials System Specification

34-SAMSS-514 14 May 2018

Combustible Gas and Hydrogen Sulfide Monitors
Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee

Contents
1 Scope ................................................................ 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations ................................... 2
3 References........................................................ 2
4 General Requirements ...................................... 3
5 Technical Requirements ................................... 5
6 Performance Tests ............................................ 9
7 Other Miscellaneous Requirements ................ 10
Revision Summary................................................. 11

Previous Issue: 17 May 2015 Next Planned Update: 14 May 2021

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Contact: Al-Ghamdi, Saleh M. (ghamsm06) on phone +966-13-8801829

©Saudi Aramco 2018. All rights reserved.

Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-514
Issue Date: 14 May 2018
Next Planned Update: 14 May 2021 Combustible Gas and Hydrogen Sulfide Monitors

1 Scope

This specification defines the minimum mandatory requirements for stationary

combustible gas and hydrogen sulfide detection and monitoring systems, the purpose of
which is to detect and warn of the presence of combustible gas and hydrogen sulfide gas
in ambient air.

2 Conflicts and Deviations

Any conflicts between this document and other applicable Mandatory Saudi Aramco
Engineering Requirements (MSAERs) shall be addressed to the EK&RD Coordinator.

Any deviation from the requirements herein shall follow internal company procedure
SAEP-302.

3 References

Material or equipment supplied to this specification shall comply with the latest edition
of the references listed below, unless otherwise noted.

3.1 Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedure

SAEP-302 Waiver of a Mandatory Saudi Aramco Engineering
Requirement

Saudi Aramco Inspection Requirements

Form 175-344900 Combustible Gas and Hydrogen Sulfide Monitors

Saudi Aramco Forms and Data Sheets

Form SA-8020-514 Instrument Specification Sheet - Combustible Gas
and Hydrogen Sulfide Monitors
Form SA-7930 Nonmaterial Requirements

3.2 Industry Codes and Standards

International Society for Measurement and Control (Formerly Instrument

Society of America)
ANSI/ISA-60079-29-1 Explosive Atmospheres - Part 29-1: Gas Detectors -
Performance Requirements of Detectors for
Flammable Gases

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Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-514
Issue Date: 14 May 2018
Next Planned Update: 14 May 2021 Combustible Gas and Hydrogen Sulfide Monitors

ANSI/ISA-60079-29-2 Explosive Atmospheres - Part29-2: Gas Detectors -

Selection, Installation, Use and Maintenance of
Detectors for Flammable Gases and Oxygen
ANSI/ISA-92.00.01 Performance Requirements for Toxic Gas Detectors
ANSI/ISA-92.00.02 Installation, Operation, and Maintenance of Toxic
Gas-Detection Instruments
ANSI/ISA-12.13.04 Performance Requirements for Open Path
Combustible Gas Detectors
ANSI/ISA 92.00.04 Toxic Open Path Detector
IEC 60079 Series Explosive Atmosphere Standards

4 General Requirements

4.1 Engineering Units

All dimensions and measurements shall be in the “International System of

Units” (SI), and may be followed by the equivalent value in English
(conventional) units between brackets. When not critical, the equivalent
dimensions may be rounded off to their nearest practical value.

4.2 Environmental Conditions

4.2.1 Temperature

Instruments and control systems shall operate continuously under the

following ambient air temperatures without any degradation of the
manufacturer's guaranteed performance:

Indoor Air Outdoor Outdoor

Conditioned (2) Sheltered (1)(2)(3) Unsheltered (2)(3)
35°C 55°C 65°C
Maximum
(95°F) (131°F) (149°F)
10°C 0°C 0°C
Minimum
(50°F) (32°F) (32°F)

Notes:
1) "Sheltered" refers to permanent, ventilated enclosures or buildings, or permanently
fixed sunshades with a top and three sides.
2) For instruments which dissipate internal heat and are installed in custom engineered
enclosures (e.g., enclosures not included in the original manufacturer's temperature
certification), an additional 15°C shall be added to the above maximum temperatures.
An example, for "indoor air conditioned" installation, the equipment must perform at
35 + 15 = 50°C. Similarly, for the "outdoor unsheltered" case, the equipment shall be
designed for a maximum operating temperature of 65 + 15 = 80°C.

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Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-514
Issue Date: 14 May 2018
Next Planned Update: 14 May 2021 Combustible Gas and Hydrogen Sulfide Monitors

3) For the outdoor installations only, the designer can take credit for forced or passive
cooling to eliminate or reduce the 15°C heat rise. For example, if vortex coolers are
used, the heat removal capacity of the coolers may be subtracted from the generated
heat. No more than 15°C reduction in temperature will be given as credit. The
designer shall substantiate his claim by providing the support data and calculations.

4.2.2 Contaminants

The equipment manufacturer shall ensure that the equipment is designed

to withstand the following air quality requirements:

4.2.2.1 Dust Concentration

Usual airborne dust concentration is 1 mg/m³.

During sandstorms, dust concentrations may reach 500 mg/m³.
Particle sizes are as follows:
 95% of all particles are less than 20 micrometers
 50% of all particles are less than 1.5 micrometers

Elements present in dust include compounds of calcium, silicon,

magnesium, aluminum, potassium, chlorides and sodium.
When wetted (high humidity conditions) these compounds
function as electrolytes and can result in severe corrosion.

Other pollutants present in the atmosphere under the extreme

conditions are:
H2S 20 ppm (vol/vol)
Hydrocarbon 150 ppm (vol/vol)
SO2 10 ppm (vol/vol)
CO 100 ppm (vol/vol)
NOx 5 ppm (vol/vol)
O3 1 ppm (vol/vol)

4.2.2.2 Wind-borne Sea Water Spray

Equipment which is not enclosed or hermetically sealed, but is

situated offshore or near shore (i.e., within 1 km from
shoreline), shall be protected against corrosion and operational
failure due to wind-borne sea water spray and the accumulation
of wetted salt (NaCl).

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Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-514
Issue Date: 14 May 2018
Next Planned Update: 14 May 2021 Combustible Gas and Hydrogen Sulfide Monitors

4.2.3 Humidity

Indoor humidity design basis shall be 20% to 80% relative humidity.

Outdoor design basis shall be 5% to 95% relative humidity

(non-condensing).

5 Technical Requirements

Technical requirements, shown below, together with the Standards cited in the
References and with specific information entered on the Instrument Specification Sheet
Form SA-8020-514, shall be followed by the Vendor in formulating a quotation or
supplying instruments.

5.1 Sensor

5.1.1 General Requirements

5.1.1.1 Sensors shall be certified according to the Electrical

classification area. The certification shall be by any of the
agencies in the Approved IECEx Certification Bodies (ExCBs)
under the IECEx Certified Equipment Scheme, and shall be
marked accordingly.

5.1.1.2 The vendor shall provide a list of gases and substances which
would desensitize or otherwise adversely affect the sensor.
Any effects on the sensor due to oxygen enriched or oxygen
deficient atmospheres, or high concentrations of the detected
gas, shall also be addressed.

5.1.1.3 Sensors shall be constructed of materials resistant to corrosive

effects of any gases or vapors specified on Form SA-8020-514.

5.1.1.4 The vendor shall advise the Company or Buyer Representative

of adverse effects, if any, on sensors as a result of continuous
operation at the environmental extremes listed in Section 4.2.2.

5.1.1.5 Gas detectors shall have both splash and dust guards.
A deviation shall be reviewed and accepted by plant operation.

5.1.1.6 The vendor shall confirm the following:

a. Testing frequency requirement for Electrochemical Cell
(EC) and Infrared (IR) is not more than twice a year and
calibration frequency is not more than once a year.

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Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-514
Issue Date: 14 May 2018
Next Planned Update: 14 May 2021 Combustible Gas and Hydrogen Sulfide Monitors

b. Testing frequency requirement for Catalytic Bead (CB) is

not more than four times a year and calibration frequency
is not more than twice a year.

5.1.2 Combustible Gas Sensor

5.1.2.1 IR and Catalytic Bed are acceptable options for combustible

gas detection.

5.1.2.2 IR is the preferred detector for LEL if it is suitable for the

application. Catalytic Bed is also an acceptable option.
Sensors shall have an operating range of 0-100% LEL of the
specified gas.

5.1.2.3 IR sensors shall automatically check for and alarm fouled

optics or blocked beam conditions. Fouled optics or beam
blockage shall not cause a high gas concentration indication or
alarm.

5.1.2.4 Sensors shall be immune from interference due to adverse

weather conditions.

5.1.2.5 Point sensors shall have an operating range of 0–100% LEL of

the specified gas.

5.1.2.6 Open path sensors are either infrared or laser type and shall
determine gas concentration over the entire path length.
Gas concentration shall be expressed as LEL-meter (percent
LEL of the gas cloud multiplied by the portion of the beam
occupied by the gas cloud in meters).

5.1.2.7 Infrared or Laser beam alignment tools, if required, shall be

provided.

5.1.3 Hydrogen Sulfide Sensor

5.1.3.1 Hydrogen sulfide detection systems shall employ stationary

sensors of Electrochemical-type as indicated on Form
SA-8020-514.

5.1.3.2 Sensors shall have an operating range of 0–100 ppm hydrogen

sulfide in air.

5.1.3.3 For sensors or sensor components which have a finite shelf life,
the vendor shall provide storage and turnover
recommendations to the Company or Buyer Representative.

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Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-514
Issue Date: 14 May 2018
Next Planned Update: 14 May 2021 Combustible Gas and Hydrogen Sulfide Monitors

The manufacturer shall confirm a minimum of one year for

H2S sensors storage time, and a minimum of two years life
time for sensors in operation.

5.2 Transmitter

5.2.1 The transmitter shall be housed with the sensor in a common housing.

5.2.2 Transmitters and housings shall be certified according to the electrical

classification area. The certification shall be by any of the agencies in
the Approved IECEx Certification Bodies (ExCBs) under the IECEx
Certified Equipment Scheme, and shall be marked accordingly.

5.2.3 Loop voltage shall be 24 VDC nominal. Power shall be supplied by the
control unit or logic solver to which the transmitter is connected.

5.2.4 Transmitters shall incorporate calibration and fault diagnostic features,

and provide a linear output of 0–22 mA, minimum range. The following
information shall be represented by the signal range:
Detector trouble/open loop (<4 mA)
Calibration mode/bypass (<4 mA)
Analog output signal (4–20 mA)
Signal over-range (>20 mA)

5.2.5 The 4–20 mA output shall correspond to 0-100% LEL combustible gas,
or 0–100 ppm hydrogen sulfide, in air. Foundation Fieldbus (FF) is an
acceptable option.

5.2.6 Transmitters for all sensor types shall incorporate an integral, linear
analog or digital indicator for calibration, and for display of actual gas
concentrations.

5.2.7 Indication of operational status, including calibration mode and fault

conditions, shall be provided at the transmitter.

5.2.8 Calibration shall be nonintrusive, i.e., may be performed without

opening the sensor/transmitter housing or declassifying the hazardous
area. Calibration shall require only one person.

5.2.9 Calibration shall require a key or tool in order to prevent accidental,

unintentional, or random adjustments.

5.2.10 Zero and span adjustments shall be non-interactive.

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Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-514
Issue Date: 14 May 2018
Next Planned Update: 14 May 2021 Combustible Gas and Hydrogen Sulfide Monitors

5.2.11 The vendor shall specify transmitter wiring requirements, including

cable type, size, maximum length, and shielding.

5.3 Control Unit

5.3.1 The control unit, when specified, shall be a rack- or cabinet-mounted

system of single-channel control modules.

5.3.2 Twenty percent spare rack capacity (slots), in addition to the required
number of channels specified on Form SA-8020-514 shall be provided.
Blank faceplates shall cover these spare slots.

5.3.3 Power for the control unit chassis shall be 120/230 VAC, 60 Hz.
Power supply to the detector shall be 24 VDC.

5.3.4 Control units incorporating integral power supply modules for logic and
loop power shall have redundant modules, such that failure of a single
module does not disable the detection system.

5.3.5 Each control module shall have two single-pole, double-throw (SPDT)
relays to provide critical and warning alarm outputs, and one SPDT fault
relay.

5.3.5.1 Minimum relay contact rating shall be 0.5 A at 120/230 VAC,

non-inductive.

5.3.5.2 The critical (high-high) alarm shall de-energize to alarm and be

latching. A manual reset pushbutton shall be provided on the
module to reset the alarm after the gas concentration falls
below set point. The set point shall be adjustable. The vendor
shall set the critical alarm set point to the value specified on
Form SA-8020-514.

5.3.5.3 The warning (high) alarm shall de-energize to alarm and shall be
latching or non-latching as specified on Form SA-8020-514.
A latching alarm shall be reset by the same pushbutton described
in paragraph 5.3.5.2. The set point shall be adjustable.
The vendor shall set the warning alarm set point to the value
specified on Form SA-8020-514.

5.3.5.4 The fault alarm shall be normally energized and shall de-
energize to alarm. This alarm shall indicate sensor, transmitter,
control unit, or wiring faults or power failure.

5.3.6 An analog or digital indication of concentration, in percent LEL for

combustible gas, or in parts-per-million (ppm) for hydrogen sulfide, shall

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Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-514
Issue Date: 14 May 2018
Next Planned Update: 14 May 2021 Combustible Gas and Hydrogen Sulfide Monitors

be provided on each module.

5.3.7 Indicating lamps, preferably LEDs, shall be provided on the front of each
control module for power, high-high alarm, high alarm and fault indication.

5.4 Horns and Beacons

5.4.1 Horns/Beacons and housings shall be certified according to the Electrical

classification area. The certification shall be by any of the agencies in
the Approved IECEx Certification Bodies (ExCBs) under the IECEx
Certified Equipment Scheme, and shall be marked accordingly.

5.4.2 Enclosures of horns and beacons shall be IP65 as minimum for none
corrosive environment and IP66 minimum for sever corrosive
environment.

5.4.3 Horns and beacons shall meet the following environment conditions
defined in this document.

5.4.4 The audible sound level should be at least 15 dB above the average
ambient sound level or 5 dB above the maximum sound level.

5.4.5 Horns and beacons shall be 24 VDC. 120/230 VDC can be used only if
24 VDC is not possible and this shall require proponent approval.

6 Performance Tests

6.1 Accuracy

6.1.1 The minimum accuracy for combustible gas monitors shall be ±3% of
full-scale gas concentration or ±10% of the applied test gas
concentration, whichever is greater.

6.1.2 The minimum accuracy for hydrogen sulfide monitors shall be ±2 ppm
concentration or ±10% of the applied test gas concentration, whichever is
greater.

6.2 Type Testing

6.2.1 The vendor shall provide a third party (UL, FM, or CSA or other
Saudi Aramco approved agencies) certificate of full compliance to
ANSI/ISA-60079-29-1 for all combustible gas monitor specified on
Form SA-8020-514. This requirement is applicable to both catalytic
bead and point IR detectors.

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Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-514
Issue Date: 14 May 2018
Next Planned Update: 14 May 2021 Combustible Gas and Hydrogen Sulfide Monitors

6.2.2 The vendor shall provide a third party (UL, FM, or CSA or other Saudi
Aramco approved agencies) certificate of full compliance to
ANSI/ISA-92.00.01for all hydrogen sulfide monitor specified on Form
SA-8020-514.

6.2.3 The vendor shall provide a third party (UL, FM, or CSA or other Saudi
Aramco approved agencies) certificate of full compliance to ANSI/ISA-
12.13.04 for all infrared open path combustible gas monitor specified on
Form SA-8020-514.

7 Other Miscellaneous Requirements

7.1 Marking

7.1.1 Combustible gas monitoring instruments shall be marked by the vendor

in accordance with ANSI/ISA-60079-29-1.

7.1.2 Hydrogen sulfide monitoring instruments shall be marked by the vendor

in accordance with ANSI/ISA-92.00.01.

7.1.3 Open path combustible gas monitors shall be marked by the vendor in
accordance with ANSI/ISA-12.13.04.

7.1.4 Recommended calibration cylinders are 50 ppm for H2S and 50% for LE
or as advised by the vendor.

7.2 Installation, Operation and Maintenance

7.2.1 The vendor shall provide the applicable instructions and data listed in
ANSI/ISA-60079-29-1.

7.2.2 The vendor shall provide the applicable instructions and data listed in
ANSI/ISA-92.00.01.

7.2.3 The vendor shall provide the applicable installation and operation
manual listed in ANSI/ISA-12.13.04.

7.3 Inspection

Items manufactured to this specification for combustible gas and hydrogen

sulfide monitors are subject to the minimum Inspection requirements as
specified in Saudi Aramco Inspection Requirements Form 175-344900.

7.4 Nonmaterial Requirements

The supplier shall provide non-material items as shown on Form SA-7930.

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Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-514
Issue Date: 14 May 2018
Next Planned Update: 14 May 2021 Combustible Gas and Hydrogen Sulfide Monitors

Revision Summary
26 December 2013 Major revision updating the next revision date and clarification to some references based
on recent ISA updates.
17 May 2015 Editorial revision to change the primary contact information.
14 May 2018 Major revision to introduce new sensors technology for gas detection.

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