Entec Gas Detector Needs – Buy Or Rent?

According to the American Petroleum Institute1, a turnaround is a planned, periodic shutdown (total or partial) of a refinery process unit or plant to perform maintenance, overhaul and repair operations and to inspect, test and replace process materials and equipment. With a turnaround comes an often increased workforce requiring gas detection to keep them safe from gas hazards including oxygen deficiency, combustible gases (typically displayed as LEL), carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide and VOCs. To meet this need, companies are faced with making a decision: should they buy or rent portable gas detection equipment?

A common error that people make when making this decision is that they consider the upfront costs while ignoring the long-term, unforeseen costs — the portion of the iceberg that is hiding underneath the surface. Along with the initial cost of purchasing gas detectors are several other factors that are often not considered related to ownership.

Entec have several options and one is to purchase “disposable” gas detectors. There are some very attractive, low cost disposable gas detectors available in the market today. On the surface, choosing to purchase disposable units might look like a good option, but prospective buyers are recommended to consider the following factors before making that decision. Purchasing a piece of gas detection equipment is considered a capital expense and must be treated as such at tax time. The entire expense of that purchase cannot be deducted during the year in which it was purchased. The capital costs are amortized or depreciated over the useful life of the piece of equipment.

As Entec explain, by choosing to rent a gas detector expenses and maintenance burdens associated with the aforementioned options for equipping workers with gas detectors during turnarounds are eliminated. However, not all gas detector rental programs offer the same benefits and the Entec team recommend businesses to be sure to scope out the project and ask the right questions, such as “When does the rental period start, and when does it end?” Some rental companies start the clock the day the equipment leaves their facility; others start it the day it is received.

There are many options to ensure that an increased workforce during a shutdown is properly protected from hazardous gases. Renting gas detection equipment can be a cost-effective and efficient way to keep workers safe. Consider the unseen costs of purchasing gas monitors versus renting them for short-term needs such as turnarounds. To find out more please go to www.gasdetectors.co.nz .