Safe-Home.com

Question about the Scentry III GFRAB Home LP/Natural Gas Detector.

Answer: Yours is the third sale to Washington state in the first two weeks of March. That is encouraging news to the building trade as the economy begins to improve.

The other sales were to Olympia, Seattle and to Bainbrdige Island. You live in Port Orchard. We appreciate that you've offered your contractor our contact information since we do have discounts available on packages of 6 units. We can next day air the units to you.

All customers ordered the 3/4 inch gas valve and the GRAB model. For those who are unfamiliar with these units, the Scentry models are all made in the USA, in fact in Davenport, IA. There is also a 220VAC model available for those who live outside the USA. All gas valves throughout the world are essentially sized the same so a USA made valve works fine in countries where 220V is the standard.

You should consider adding additional gas sensors if you have a propane range or propane fireplace. I know you've shared that both your water heater and furnace are in the same utility room.

In your case, you say that intermittent power failures are rare in your area plus your appliances do not have a standing pilot light. If a home owner with standing pilot light units elects to protect with a Scentry, then we do recommend the battery back-up unit.

Thank you for your question and for being our customer. We show your unit arrived on time, Next Day Air Saver, as you requested.

Sincerely,

Barbara

Question about the Scentry III GFRAB Automatic Gas Valve and Gas Detector System

Answer: This unit allows you to use remote gas detectors to place near your other gas appliances. There is a battery back-up available if you want protection during a power failure. We do have an installation manual available on our website for this unit.The Scentry Installation Manual.

The GFRAB stands for gas sensor, mounting feet, remote ready, alarm and battery and includes the gas valve shut-off/controller. NOTE: Must be used with a Scentry III gas valve (sold separately).  Each Scentry gas sensor is calibrated in a gaseous atmosphere so it will alarm at 10% of the lower explosive level (LEL) of the combustible gas. This is not a carbon monoxide alarm as it has only a combustible gas alarm sensor.

Scentry III-GFRAB Specifications:

    Case: ABS Plastic
    Physical Size: 7.6 inches by 4.6 inches
    Weight: 2.25 lbs
    Color: Gray
    Power consumption: 1.5va
    Supports up to 4 calibrated remote sensors (not included)
    Requires Scentry III-GVD gas valve (purchase separately)
    Supports Battery Back-Up (Not Included)
    Gas Valve Controller for combustible gasses such as natural gas or propane gas that includes a 24 volt transformer
    Connections: screw terminals
    Input Power: 115VAC, 60 Hz
    Output Control Relays: 2 amps, 24 VAC
    Alarm Signal Output: 12V DC @500 ma
    Reset: manual
    Sensor Type: Tin Dioxide Semiconductor
    Alarm Points: Propane (LP) <5200 PPM
    Alarm Points: Natural Gas / Methane <12,200 PPM
    Manufactured Proudly in the USA for Safety First USA, Inc.
    Warranty: 1 year from date of purchase.  

The gas valves include a 1/2 inch, a 3/4 inch and a 1 inch valve.

The Scentry III-GFRAB gas alarm and gas valve controller (shut-off) has the capability of adding options such as battery back-up, remote gas sensors and remote alarms.  If you add the battery option, you can keep pilot lights lit during intermittent power failures in regions such as the mountain states where electric power is not always continuous. A 12V output gives the option of a phone dialer to alert owners of vacation homes, etc. when an unsafe condition has occurred. Remote gas sensors can be added near gas ranges, gas water heaters, gas furnaces, gas heaters, etc. to add protection using only one gas valve controller.

Please contact us if you have questions about what components to install.

Thanks again for your timely question.

Sincerely, Barbara

Q: "I have anosmia, i.e. I have lost my sense of smell. We have natural gas heat, a natural gas water heater and a natural gas cooking stove. I cannot smell a gas leak. Which gas detector do you recommend?"

Answer: Currently, we sell two brands of combustible gas alarms and an automatic gas shut off system that shuts off gas and sounds a loud alarm when a significant gas leak occurs.

Two brands are UL1484 listed for use with natural gas and propane gas and also work with gasoline fumes and butane fumes. These are the Safe-T-Alert 40-411AC and the Safety Siren Combustible Gas Alarm and the Safety Siren CO and Combustible Gas Alarm.

The advantage of the Safe-T-Alert is the long cord for proper positioning of the detector, i.e. high and near the appliance for natural gas and low and near the appliance for propane. We also sell the Safe-T-Alert Combustible Gas Alarm in a 230VAC unit for Europe and Asia. The Safety Siren unit is a direct plug in with a safety tab that the outlet cover center screw (standard 2 or 3 prong outlet) goes through so the unit cannot be easily removed. Most customers who buy the Safety Siren model install an electrical outlet at the proper height for natural gas or propane.

All our combustible gas alarms sound at less than 25% of the lower explosive or flammable level of the gas.

The Scentry III GFRAB propane/natural gas detector is only one component of this home safety system. The GFRAB means Gas, Feet on the bottom of the case, Remote, Alarm and Battery. To have a complete system, you need these additional components:

• The Scentry III Gas Valve Controlleror the Scentry III GFRAB propane/natural gas detector if you want a battery back-up.
• The optional Battery Back Up in case there is a power failure.
• A Scentry III GVM 1 Inch Gas Valve, a Scentry III GVL .75 Inch Diaphragm Gas ValveScentry III GVL .75 Inch Diaphragm Gas Valve, or a Scentry III GVD .5 Inch Diaphragm Type Gas Valve. These gas valves are CSA (AGA/CGA) Certificate number 229521-1656058 Australian Gas Association Certificate number 4235,UL Recognized File Number MH5939.
• Optional: Remote Gas Sensors. Up to 5 Scentry III RF Remote Propane/Natural Gas Sensor, Gray or Scentry III RF Remote Propane/Natural Gas Sensor, Black can be monitored by the Scentry III GFRAB unit.
. Each remote sensor for natural gas or propane measures about 3 inches by 5 inches.Each must be hard wired to the main unit. The sensors use a tin dioxide semiconductor. Alarm Points for Propane (LP)<5200 PPM. For Natural Gas/Methane: <12,200 PPM. The alarm signal outlet is an open collector.

As noted above, the compatible valves are in .5, .75 and 1 inch sizes. Each valve is an electrically operated gas shut off valve that opens and closes on a demand signal from a thermostat or other controlling device. Can be used with both natural gas and LP gas at pressures up to 0.5 psi. The White Rodgers replacement is a compression spring closing and soft seat construction gas valve.

The advantage of this system is that the controller unit supports up to 5 calibrated remote sensors.

Scentry III-GFRAB Specifications:

• Case: ABS Plastic
• Physical Size: 7.6 inches by 4.6 inches
• Weight: 2.25 lbs
• Color: Gray
• Power consumption: 1.5va
• Supports up to 5 calibrated remote sensors (not included)
• Requires Scentry III-GVD gas valve (purchase separately)
• Supports Battery Back-Up (Not Included)
• Supports Gas Valve Controller for Explosive Gas (Not Included)
• Connections: screw terminals
• Input Power: 115VAC, 60 Hz
• Output Control Relays: 2 amps,
• 24 VAC Alarm Signal
• Output: 12V DC @500 ma
• Reset: manual
• Sensor Type: Tin Dioxide Semiconductor
• Alarm Points: Propane (LP) <5200 PPM Alarm Points: Natural Gas / Methane <12,200 PPM
• Manufactured Proudly in the USA for Safety First USA, Inc.
• Warranty: 1 year from date of purchase.

Thanks for your question. Just remember propane gas and natural gas are safe sources of energy if you add protective measures including alarms, shut off valves and regular maintenance of the appliances that use gas.

Sincerely,

Barbara