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Turning up the gas on fire protection

Pervasive concern for security propels locally developed gas safety system into the international spotlight.

Sophisticated South African-developed technology, the first to combine gas and fire protection capabilities within the same grid, is setting new safety standards for businesses and the public in Africa and the Middle East.

Manufactured and installed by Cape-based SureGas, the system is able to detect even the smallest gas leaks, automatically shutting off the gas supply and raising appropriate alarms. A direct interface with the fire detection/alarm system enables automatic shut-off of the gas supply in the event of a fire signal. Should this occur, the system will check for leaks in-line, and, if gas flow is detected, prevent the re-establishment of the gas supply.

Each SureGas system is custom-made to fit the particular application individually, providing customers with the assurance that appliances and their associated supply lines are leak-free and safe to use.

"Our products are suitable for users of all popular types of gases, including LPG, butane, propane, natural and coal gas," says Simon Steward, chief executive of ISO 9001-2000 certified SureGas. "The products have been tested and are in compliance with SABS as well as relevant European and Australian standards. They have also been endorsed by many official bodies and organisations in the gas industry.

"A plethora of statutes and regulations, combined with business objectives and customer service philosophies compel companies around the world to maintain a high standard of safety not just in the workplace but also at the consumer interface," says Steward.

"The general concern for safety extends to the use of gas, which is rapidly growing in popularity worldwide because of its ease of use, convenience, versatility and cost effectiveness."

This, Steward believes, is one of the major drivers behind the international success of the SureGas solution, developed in conjunction with the University of Cape Town, the Cape Technikon and engineering consultants.

SureGas technology now provides peace of mind to gas users in more than six countries. These include Dubai, where SureGas has partnered with Cylingas, a subsidiary of a leading industrial group in the region, Enoc, to install gas detection systems in a prestigious $500-million property development, the Madinat Jumeirah Resort. Two key facets of the project are covered by the SureGas solution: the Madinat Jumeirah Resort, consisting of hotels, a banqueting hall, health spa, shopping mall, restaurants and villas, as well as the Al Murooj residential area, which includes luxury flats, a hotel and several restaurants.

In Botswana, a SureGas system watches over gas supply to the landmark International Conference Centre, situated in the capital, Gaborone, and operated by leisure group Global Resorts. Several government hospitals in Botswana, to be completed by the end of this year, are also being equipped with SureGas technology.

In Tanzania, SureGas helps ensure the safety of the guests of the luxury Royal Palm Hotel, operated by Legacy Hotels & Resorts International (LH&RI). The Royal Palm is one of nine LH&RI hotels using SureGas technology. Others include the Mina A' Salam in Dubai, the Michelangelo in Johannesburg and the Arabella Sheraton in Cape Town.

In Australia, the Origin Energy group has specified SureGas technology for a long-term project covering all of the Australian states and involving security systems for a number of underground valve chambers. Work will be completed over a couple of years due to the fact that the chambers are remote and numerous.

Steward concludes, "Further afield, we are involved in a Pakistan initiative with the AL Ghuriar companies, a very large group in the region involved in a wide range of industrial interests including a potential gold refinery in Dubai. This link-up, together with partnerships in other territories, augurs well for the proliferation of our technology in Africa, the Middle East and beyond."

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