| 30 Years Specializing in Fixed Gas Detection |
| 30 Years Specializing in Fixed Gas Detection |
June 2020
After 30 wonderfully challenging and successful years in the gas detection industry, executive management has made the decision to close the business. Over the years, we were fortunate to develop a number of great products and build the business with an expanding and loyal customer base. We have had the privilege of working with a lot of great partners along the way and collectively sharing in the progress and developments in the gas detection industry. We are grateful for the opportunity to have forged so many relationships and been of service to such a wide variety of industries. We appreciate and thank our loyal customers, dedicated sales teams and suppliers.
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Please Note: Mil-Ram has not sold any part of the business. No other party will be authorized or licensed to provide replacement parts or to perform any repair or other services on our behalf. Any industrial equipment distributors, manufacturers representatives or other parties that continue to display Mil-Ram products on their websites are not affiliated with or authorized by Mil-Ram to do so and Mil-Ram assumes no responsibility for the content or individuals claiming product know-how.
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Very Important -
Please Read
Gas detection systems require a conscientious and routine program of maintenance and field calibration. In any safety critical application, routine calibration, maintenance and sensor replacement are essential to help ensure integrity of the system and optimum performance. All gas sensors have a Limited Service Life (as well as shelf-life). In light of our business closure, it is Essential that customers have a continuing source for gas detection equipment and ongoing service. We strongly urge all of our customers to Immediately work with other qualified gas detection companies to meet their continuing needs for equipment and service.
BUSINESS CLOSURE FAQS
Q: Are replacement sensors and other instrument parts still available for sale?
A: No. The business ceased operations in June 2020 and no other party is authorized or licensed to provide replacement parts or to perform any repair or other services on our behalf. Please note: Any industrial equipment distributors, manufacturers representatives or other parties that continue to display Mil-Ram products on their websites are not affiliated with or authorized by Mil-Ram to do so and Mil-Ram assumes no responsibility for the content or individuals claiming product know-how. Also, we strongly discourage acquiring used equipment from any internet source or marketplace. Such equipment is often several years old and gas sensors would be far past the normal expiration date, whether or not they were ever installed. Also, Mil-Ram gas detectors do not have universally interchangeable electronic modules and sensors. All electronics and sensors are factory configured (hardware and firmware) for a specific gas type, detection range and other critical setup parameters. Additionally, many electronic modules and sensors have unique configuration settings and/or specialized firmware/hardware. Do not attempt to mix and match sensors and/or electronic modules.
Q: Are the Mil-Ram gas sensors interchangeable with replacement gas sensors from other manufacturers?
A: No. The gas sensors have a proprietary electrical interface to Mil-Ram electronic instruments. The gas sensors were specifically designed to operate with dedicated Mil-Ram electronics. Do not attempt to install another manufacturer’s sensors on Mil-Ram instruments.
Q: Since replacement sensors and parts are no longer available, how do I replace a Mil-Ram gas detector?
A: The complete gas detector (electronics and sensor) must be replaced with a gas detector that meets your requirements from another qualified gas detection company.
Q: Are the Mil-Ram gas detector electronics and sensors designed to be universally interchangeable?
A: No. Mil-Ram gas detectors do not have universally interchangeable electronic modules and sensors. All electronics and sensors are factory configured (hardware and firmware) for a specific gas type, detection range and other critical setup parameters. Additionally, many electronic modules and sensors have unique configuration settings and/or specialized firmware/hardware. Do not attempt to mix and match sensors and/or electronic modules.
Q: How soon should the Mil-Ram gas detectors be replaced by equipment from another manufacturer?
A: Immediately. In any safety critical application, routine calibration, maintenance and sensor replacement are essential to help ensure integrity of the system and optimum performance. All gas sensors, regardless of technology, have a Limited Service Life (as well as shelf-life). In light of our business closure in June 2020, it is Essential that customers have a continuing source for gas detection equipment and ongoing service. We strongly urge all of our customers, that haven't already done so, to Immediately work with other qualified gas detection companies to meet their continuing needs for equipment and service. In the interest of safety, replacement of gas detectors should be done immediately as a preventive action rather than waiting for sensors to expire or possibly, become damaged by unforseen circumstances. As Mil-Ram replacement gas sensors have not been available since June 2020, any remaining field installed sensors are either rapidly approaching expiration or already expired. Most field installed sensors are expectedly already expired. Again, in the interest of safety, replace any remaining field installed gas detectors immediately with suitable equipment from another qualified manufacturer.
Q: How do I check if the gas detector is still functional?
A: Industrial gas detectors of all types, regardless of sensor technology, require regular and routine calibration using certified gas standards. Please see Calibration Practices for IMPORTANT information. However, in the interest of safety, replacement of gas detectors should be done immediately as a preventive action rather than waiting for sensors to expire or possibly, become damaged by unforseen circumstances. As Mil-Ram replacement gas sensors have not been available since June 2020, any remaining field installed sensors are either rapidly approaching expiration or already expired. Most field installed sensors are expectedly already expired. Again, in the interest of safety, replace any remaining field installed gas detectors immediately with suitable equipment from another qualified manufacturer.
Q: The gas detector LCD indicates "RepSen". What does this mean?
A: REPLACE SENSOR. This message indicates that the sensor has failed the most recently performed gas calibration and requires Immediate replacement. Since Mil-Ram replacement sensors are no longer available, this means that the entire gas detector (sensor and electronics) must be replaced with a suitable gas detector that meets your requirements from another qualified gas detection company.
Q: What function does the Self-Calibration feature provide on some Model TA-2100 and Model TA-2102 fixed gas detectors?
A. Although some Model TA-2100 and Model TA-2102 gas detectors incorporate a self-calibration feature, this feature simply utilizes a firmware algorithm and is only intended to supplement and NOT replace a regular and routine calibration program using certified gas standards of known concentration. Do NOT reduce calibration frequency based on this feature. Regular and routine calibration using certified gas standards is essential.
Q: How is Remaining Sensor Life determined on some Model TA-2100 and Model TA-2102 fixed gas detectors?
A. Some Model TA-2100 and Model TA-2102 gas detectors incorporate a Remaining Sensor Life feature. This feature utilizes the most recent field calibration data to provide a calculated estimate of sensor life and does NOT replace a regular and routine calibration program using certified gas standards of known concentration. Any factors that have impacted sensor life since the most recent field calibration will not be reflected in the Remaining Sensor Life calculation. Do NOT reduce calibration frequency based on this feature. Regular and routine calibration using certified gas standards is essential.
Q: Can the Mil-Ram Modbus Control panels be used with Modbus RTU enabled gas detectors from another manufacturer?
A: No. While Modbus RTU is a standardized communications protocol over the serial RS-485 hardware interface, different manufacturers store data at different register locations, including critical meter readings and diagnostics. The Mil-Ram Modbus Control panels were specifically designed for use with Mil-Ram Modbus enabled gas detectors to utilize designated data and diagnostic registers. The Control panel cannot be user programmed or adapted to work with Modbus enabled gas detectors from other manufacturers.
Mil-Ram gas detection systems monitor specified gases within the designated range of concentration. The properly maintained gas sensor is only capable of monitoring gas that is immediately present at the face of the sensor. The installation instructions and other recommendations offered by Mil-Ram are intended to provide basic guidance related to the operation of the equipment and potential effects related to environment. While this information may be useful in determining the number and placement of gas detectors, it should not be relied upon as the only source. It is recommended that the user consult with qualified safety professionals (e.g. industrial hygiene, environmental, etc.) to determine adequate number and placement of gas detectors for a given site and prevailing conditions. Industrial sites are often complex in nature and therefore, require proper analysis to make the best determination.
The following general guidelines are offered:
Regarding gas detector placement, a general guideline is to place detectors as close as possible to potential leak sources (valves, flanges, regulators, gaskets, compression fittings, etc) to provide early warning and acknowledgement of leak conditions. Additionally, it is recommended to install detectors moving away from the potential leak source, to track the movement of the gas and especially provide earliest possible warning approaching and including areas where workers may be present. For example, gas detector placement should include all populated areas, confined spaces, tunnels, adjacent structures and buildings. Detector placement is especially critical in safety related applications where personnel may be present. Other factors that influence detector placement include convection currents, ventilation, personnel traffic, location of machinery & equipment, gas vapor density, etc. Qualified, on-site safety personnel that are most familiar with the specific environment and related processes under varying conditions, over extended periods of time, are often critical to determining the number and placement of gas detectors. Mil-Ram can only offer general guidelines as a starting point for consideration. The final determination regarding the number and placement of gas detectors must be made by the end user and take into account their own unique site, operational and safety requirements and company polices. Safety critical applications require the most careful attention.