Gas Leak Detector Recommendations

Overview

Gas safety is a concern for every resident, visitor and employee at The Ellington. There have been gas leaks ranging from stoves being on without a flame for short and long periods of time to failed gas lines. The stove and fireplace in the club room have had gas leaks. Many owners and residents can tell a story about when there was a gas leak in their home.

The current smoke and carbon monoxide detectors that are required by the city do not detect natural gas which is used by stoves and fireplaces at The Ellington. To help detect gas leaks The Ellington Board recommends that owners and residents purchase gas leak detectors for their homes.

When selecting a gas leak detector the following features should be considered (features taken from denovadetect.com).

1. Sensor Detection Level: Look for a detector with high quality sensitivity to detect low gas levels. Gas alarms that detect Natural Gas at 10% LEL (Lower Explosion Limit) versus 25% LEL will provide residents 11 minutes more escape time on average.
   
2. Sensor Type: MEMS (micro-electromechanical sensors) virtually eliminate nuisance alarms.
   
3. Alarm Warning: The alarm should be loud enough to alert you even if you are sleeping. Consider a detector with a minimum of 85 decibels.
   
4. Power Source: Detectors can be powered by a battery pack, plug-in, or hardwired into your home’s electrical system. Battery powered gas detectors allow the gas alarm to be mounted 12 inches from the ceiling where natural gas accumulates. Plug in alarms are mounted near the floor, and natural gas will take longer to detect.
   
5. Smart Features: Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity or syncing with other smart home devices. These features can provide you with real-time alerts and monitor your detector remotely.
   
6. Test Button: Your detector should have a test button to periodically ensure the device works properly.

Where to Purchase

Gas leak detectors are available online from Amazon, Lowe’s, Home Depot and other websites. They are also carried in store at some Lowe’s, Home Depot, Ace Hardware and similar stores. Please use the list of recommended features to determine which gas leak detector is best for your home.

Examples of gas leak detectors that are currently available

There are many gas detectors available online. Several have some of the recommended features but none have them all. The following links are examples of gas detectors available on the internet. All of the gas leak detectors in this list have low LEL detection levels.

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