Where, how many, and by what standard should gas leak detectors be installed? Korean installation requirements are split across three regulatory regimes — workplace safety, gas facilities, and fire safety — which can be confusing at first. Ace Electronics, a gas detector manufacturer since 1993 and a KOLAS-accredited calibration laboratory, organizes the big picture by regime.
Three regulatory regimes govern installation
Which standard applies depends on the type of facility and the gas being handled.
| Regime | Main basis | Applies to (e.g.) |
|---|---|---|
| Workplace safety | Occupational Safety and Health acts and KOSHA technical guidelines | Plants and laboratories handling chemicals |
| Gas safety | High-pressure gas, LPG, and city gas acts with KGS codes | Gas storage/use facilities, designated gas-using premises |
| Fire safety | Fire safety standards for gas leak alarms | Gas leak alarms in buildings subject to fire codes |
※ More than one regime can apply to a single site. Confirm the exact applicable rules with your authority or safety manager.
Placement — gas density decides
Sensor placement follows whether the target gas is heavier or lighter than air — the sensor must sit where leaked gas accumulates.
| Gas type | Examples | Sensor position |
|---|---|---|
| Heavier than air | LPG (propane, butane) | Near the floor (commonly within 30 cm above it) |
| Lighter than air | City gas (LNG/methane), hydrogen | Near the ceiling (commonly within 30 cm below it) |
Sensors should also sit close to potential leak points (valves, pipe joints, compressors) and away from vents or doorways where airflow disperses gas.
How many, and when should it alarm
- Quantity — under the high-pressure gas codes, the common rule is at least one sensor per 10 m of equipment-group floor perimeter indoors, and per 20 m outdoors.
- Alarm setpoints — the accepted practice is at or below 25% of the lower explosive limit (LEL) for combustible gases, and at or below the permissible exposure level for toxic gases.
- Shutoff interlock — designated gas-using premises such as larger restaurants may be required to install an automatic gas shutoff device that trips on alarm.
※ These figures summarize widely applied rules; details per facility type follow the applicable codes (KGS, KOSHA guidelines, fire safety standards).
Installation is not the end — calibrate to maintain
Even a correctly installed detector drifts over time. Periodic calibration keeps the alarm accurate at its setpoint. See our calibration cycle guide for recommended intervals and the legal basis.
Ace Electronics manufactures gas detectors, gas leak alarms, and leak detection and shutoff devices — and provides calibration after installation, all in one place.
