FM approval strengthens intelligent fixed gas detection for refineries and petrochemical plants

Crowcon Detection Instruments has announced that its XgardIQ intelligent fixed gas detector has now achieved FM approval, an important development for operators working in hazardous industrial environments where North American certification standards are increasingly specified.

The approval will be particularly relevant to refinery operators, petrochemical processors, lubricant manufacturers and fuel storage terminals, where fixed gas detection forms a critical part of plant safety and regulatory compliance. Many large downstream oil and gas projects, especially those linked to LNG, refining, fuels blending and petrochemical production, either require FM-certified equipment directly or favour internationally recognised certification standards during procurement and plant design.

The FM approval confirms that XgardIQ has been independently tested to recognised standards for hazardous locations, supporting its deployment across the United States and Canada as well as on international projects throughout the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Latin America, where North American certification frameworks are often adopted.

Designed for the detection of flammable, toxic and oxygen gases, including fixed H₂S monitoring, XgardIQ combines gas sensing with built-in diagnostics intended to reduce the amount of time technicians need to spend in hazardous areas. In refinery and petrochemical environments, where maintenance access can involve confined spaces, elevated pipework or classified process areas, reducing unnecessary site intervention can provide both safety and operational benefits.

The SIL2 certified detector is available with a range of sensor technologies and is built around a universal transmitter with remote sensor capability, allowing operators to configure systems according to the specific hazards present within different parts of a plant. This flexibility is useful in complex downstream facilities where gas risks can vary significantly between blending operations, storage areas, process units and loading terminals.

Crowcon has also focused on practical day-to-day operation. The detector features an OLED display designed for clear visibility, even in darker plant environments, together with a visible safety indicator that allows personnel to confirm at a glance that the detector is functioning correctly. Optional alarm and fault relays, alongside HART communications, support integration into wider refinery and process plant safety systems.

As refineries and petrochemical facilities continue investing in safer and more connected instrumentation, the addition of FM approval strengthens XgardIQ’s suitability for both new-build projects and upgrades to existing fixed gas detection networks.