The "QuadrAlert Lifeguard" Gas Leak & Smoke Detector, by Scentech  U.S. Patent # 5,563,578 

The Problem ...

Though convenient, clean and efficient, gas energy is not without its well-known hazards! Without warning, at any time or any place, a gas leak can result in a catastrophe. The cause may be due to equipment failure, corrosion of piping inside the dwelling, or even gas seeping in around water pipes, conduits, etc., from an aging main out in the street!

THE POTENTIAL ALWAYS EXISTS. The news clips at the bottom of this page dramatically illustrate the users' vulnerability.

Including both distribution and transmission statistics compiled by the Department of Transportation (WWW.OPS.DOT.GOV) between 1986 and 1999, a major leak 'incident' occurred in this country on an average of once every 1.5 days, resulting in $476 million in property damage, and a combined figure of 1,345 injuries and deaths; one every 3.5 days. Boston Gas alone responds to 10,000 legitimate leaks of various sizes every year!

According to the Arbor Corporation's confidential consumer attitude survey conducted for the American Gas Association, the public's chief concern with natural gas is the perceived risk of explosion, leaks and/or fire. The consulting organization thus recommended that the gas companies should, in some way, help consumers manage these perceived safety risks.

The Problem ...

Though gas is odorized so that leaks can be detected by scent, it is not possible to smell it when it is below floors or when the heating equipment is located in a closed closet.

Attenuation of sound through floors and walls is so great, even in the smallest home, that, in most cases, a stand-alone detector/alarm meeting the minimum UL requirements could not rouse a sleeping home-owner during an emergency!

It is clear that the residential gas industry would benefit greatly if its customers and future customers were made to feel more secure and confident in the use of this form of energy.

The industry is lacking a definitive monitoring instrument that would perform this function.

The Solution ... 

Introducing the QuadrAlert Lifeguard, by Scentech.

.... nothing in the industry comes close.....

LEFT:      Wireless Remote Audio/Visual Annunciator/Display
RIGHT:    Master Unit

... Fully integrated, FOUR separate detector/alarm functions provide an unprecedented comprehensive monitoring of the gas furnace area for:

• Detection of leaking natural gas
• Detection of carbon monoxide
• Temperature extremes
• Smoke

featuring:

• separate distinct audio alarm codes for each trouble condition
• relay closure for connection to existing dial-out fire/burglar alarm systems
• accessory automatic louvered vent fan to render either gas leakage harmless to the outside

... Your Gas Heat Partner

Though possessing a good safety record, gas energy is not without its well-known hazards. Gas leak detectors, now required by law in Europe and Asia, will see the same explosive growth rate in North America as was seen by the smoke detector in the 70's. Our instrument will guard against loss of life and property, and will instill security and confidence in the user of this form of energy.

SCENTECH has taken pride in creating the best product of its kind, at an affordable price, consistent with the highest standards.

THE PRODUCT -- The QUADRALERT LIFEGUARD is a four sensing function, integrated detector/alarm system with a wireless remote sounder, which offers comprehensive monitoring of the furnace area in homes which heat with gas energy.

THE ADVANTAGE -- Only The QUADRALERT LIFEGUARD offers detection of gas, carbon monoxide, temperature extremes and smoke in a single unit. Its wireless remote alarm ensures the rousing of sleeping home dwellers and annunciates the cause of trouble with distinct, separate audio codes: no need to enter the affected area! In addition, the instrument can connect to existing automatic dial-out security systems, and with its accessory louvered vent fan, can render either carbon monoxide or natural gas leaks harmless by expelling it to the outside ... unparalleled security

THE FEATURES:

• Separate precision sensors for each function
• Simple to remember audio codes: (a U.L. requirement) ... same as the letter count of the trouble condition:

    1.    CO (carbon monoxide):  two dashes   � �
           cause:     damaged or clogged flu, chimney, etc. 

    2.    GAS: three dashes  � � �
            cause:     equipment failure, corroded piping

    3.    TEMP (temperature extremes):  four dashes  � � � �
            cause:     high (red lamp):  fire, stuck thermostat, etc.
                           low (blue lamp):  equipment failure, alerts before pipes freeze

    4.    SMOKE:  continuous dashes  � � � � � � � � � � � �
            cause:     fire

    5.    FAULT: continuous one second dits   -   -   -   -   -   -
            cause: (amber lamp):  sensor failure, repair required

Technically Speaking ...

• The QUADRALERT has a long evolution from patent 5,563,578, including the wireless remote unit. A new patent or patents must be filed for further protection.
  
• A NEMOTO type NAP55A methane sensor is utilized in the instrument. It is unique in its design by incorporating an integral linearizer allowing a smooth transition to the chosen alarm point of 3000ppm. It offers high stability and virtual 'bench' pre-calibration. It is of the platinum 'hot-wire' type in construction.
  
• A NEMOTO type NAP11A is utilized as the carbon monoxide sensor element. It is a uniquely designed semi-conductor type, constructed with a double-layer oxide coating. It is superior to the single oxide layer types found in most residential detector instruments, as it absorbs the gas much slower, and thus, is not as sensitive to transient episodes. With its 11 minute heat-cleaning cycles, false alarms are nearly impossible. The circuit is temperature compensated.
  
• An ionization type of smoke detection was chosen over the optical type. It was noted that ash debris released during the furnace start-up could falsely trigger the the photo-electric type.
  
• Hybrids were selected for the wireless telemetry radio receiver and transmitter. These superb devices offer integral surface acoustical wave (SAW) front-end filtering, output filtering, timing, and frequency control, and require no tuning or alignment. Though more expensive than discrete component designs, absolutely no special equipment, or highly skilled technicians are required to assemble it for operation. The SAW device is superior to any other frequency stabilizing system in existence.
  
• The wireless remote is continually updated (refreshed) by the master unit's transmitted data. To comply with FCC part 15.231, this 'periodic radiator' transmits a .5 second burst of digital data every 15 seconds during 'standby' (no alarm) conditions (activating the green 'OK' lamp), and transmits the .5 second burst every 7 seconds when an alarm or fault condition is detected. In all cases, the remote instrument latches all data for approximately 40 seconds to insure response from the master unit even though a burst of data may be lost to interference from other units operating in the near vicinity. If no data is decoded within the 40 second interval, the amber FAULT lamp will flash with NO AUDIO ALARM. This feature is helpful in the initial system set-up to allow proper placement of the units, their respective antennas, etc.
  
• The wireless remote utilizes a 523,000 bit security code ensuring that no cross-talk between units is possible -- even in high-density condominium complexes.
  
• The telemetry transmitter and receiver are the most stable and robust designs available.
  
• The QUADRALERT is based on U.S. patent 5,563,578.
  
• The QUADRALERT is designed to meet or exceed the requirements of U.L. 217, U.L. 2034, and U.L. 1484, in addition to the requirements of The American Gas Institute.
  
• The QUADRALERT will meet or exceed the requirements of FCC part 15 for radiation, and operational characteristics. With slight modification, it will meet the requirements of any regulatory body throughout the world.
  
• Self-diagnosis of malfunctions in its own circuitry.
  
• Powerful alarm, 115 Db C& 10 feet for the master unit (can be heard through basement window out into the street to alert passersby) and > 85 Db for the wireless remote.

The following news clips illustrate the users' vulnerability:

Inventor:  Bob Isenstein, 12 Exeter Drive, Woburn, MA 01801
Phone:  (781) 932-0304
E-mail:  SCENTEK@aol.com

since April 3, 2003
(Good til July of 2013)