The CENTREX system

French explosion-prevention specialist CentrExpert has launched a wireless system to detect gas and combustible vapours accessible on Android tablets.

The CENTREX system is certified for gas detection by INERIS (Institut National de l'Environnement Industriel et des Risques), and has ATEX Category 3G certification by INERIS.

The detector head includes an inbuilt sensor providing a direct gas detection signal, while additional sensors can also be connected.

CentrExpert president Jean-Marie Constant says the company has found a niche in an area which is of "no interest to the builders of standard machines and equipment because of the limited quantities of this ATEX (explosive atmosphere) equipment, the diversity of products, and the responsibilities resulting from these modifications which require real expertise".

"Consequently, manufacturers as well as engine mechanics prefer to sub-contract ATEX work to the specialists, authorised by notified bodies, like CentrExpert."
Constant stresses that all ATEX conversions are carried out using risk analysis followed by risk assessment which lists the machine's critical ATEX features and governs the choice of the protective methods to be used. These choices result in different work methods in terms of commitments, maintenance and costs even if the conversions on the market seem to be identical in their appearance and documentation.

Among the company's OEM partnerships is an arrangement with Linde Material Handling, through which machines are modified "without harming the original certificate of origin".

CentrExpert was created in 2011 by Constant and Thierry Maurice, both former executives of Pyroban and experts in the ATEX sector.