Gas Detection for Battery Rooms, Data Centres & BESS
Battery rooms, data centres, and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) share a common risk that is often underestimated: the silent build-up of hazardous gases. Hydrogen, carbon monoxide, VOCs, and hydrogen fluoride can accumulate without any visible warning, creating explosion, fire, and toxic exposure risks before a conventional fire alarm has any chance of triggering.
Indigi Power & Cooling supplies and installs fixed gas detection systems across Australia for critical power environments. We work with Evikon MCI sensors and transmitters, a comprehensive range of industrial-grade detectors covering more than 20 gas types, designed for the demanding conditions found in battery rooms, server rooms, data halls, and containerised BESS installations.
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Why Gas Detection is Critical in These Environments
Battery Rooms
Lead-acid batteries, the most common backup power source in UPS systems, produce hydrogen gas during the charging cycle. Hydrogen becomes explosive at concentrations above 4% by volume in air. In enclosed or poorly ventilated rooms, this threshold can be reached faster than most facility managers expect, particularly when multiple battery strings are charging simultaneously.
Beyond hydrogen, battery rooms using lithium-ion technology carry additional risk. Under fault conditions, thermal runaway can release carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and hydrogen fluoride (HF), gases that are toxic at low concentrations and provide no visual warning before they reach dangerous levels.
Australian Standards and the IFC require gas detection and ventilation control in battery rooms handling lead-acid batteries. A properly installed gas detection system monitors continuously, triggers ventilation when thresholds are approached, and raises alarms before a hazardous atmosphere develops.
Data Centres
Data centres rely on UPS systems with large battery banks to maintain uptime during power events. These batteries sit in close proximity to IT equipment and personnel, meaning a gas release event carries a high consequence profile.
Hydrogen monitoring is the primary requirement in most data centre battery rooms. In facilities where lithium-ion UPS batteries are in use, CO, VOC, and HF detection become equally important. CRAC precision cooling systems using refrigerant-based circuits also introduce HFC refrigerant leak risk, which can displace oxygen and trigger hypoxia in enclosed spaces.
Indigi Power & Cooling designs gas detection solutions that integrate with existing building management systems and fire panels, with output via 4-20 mA analog signals or RS485 Modbus RTU, compatible with most BMS platforms used in Australian data centres.
BESS Installations
Battery Energy Storage Systems present the most complex gas detection challenge of the three environments. Lithium-ion BESS installations can release a wide spectrum of hazardous gases during off-gassing events and thermal runaway, including hydrogen (H2), carbon monoxide (CO), VOCs, methane (CH4), ethylene (C2H4), and hydrogen fluoride (HF).
Gas release can occur well before any visible smoke, heat alert, or fire panel trigger. Independent testing of large-scale lithium-ion BESS fires has recorded hydrogen fluoride releases exceeding 200kg per 1,000 kWh of stored capacity. This is not a fire hazard alone. It is a toxic gas event that poses serious risk to personnel and surrounding infrastructure.
Early gas detection is the primary line of defence. Sensors placed at the correct heights for each gas type (hydrogen rises, CO and HF settle low) give operators the opportunity to ventilate, isolate, and respond before a critical situation escalates. BESS gas detection integrates directly with site safety systems, ESD (emergency shutdown) protocols, and fire panels.
Gases Detected: What to Monitor and Why
| Gas | Environment | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Hydrogen (H2) | Battery rooms, BESS, data centres | Explosive above 4% vol. Produced by charging lead-acid batteries and lithium-ion thermal runaway |
| Carbon Monoxide (CO) | BESS, data centres, generator rooms | Toxic at low concentrations. Produced during battery off-gassing and combustion events |
| VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) | BESS, battery rooms | Indicator of early-stage thermal runaway. Odourless and accumulates in low areas |
| Refrigerants (HFC) | Data centres with CRAC units | Oxygen displacement risk in enclosed server rooms. CRAC refrigerant circuit leak detection |
| Carbon Dioxide (CO2) | Data centres, battery rooms | Oxygen displacement. Used in fire suppression systems; post-discharge monitoring required |
| Oxygen (O2) | All environments | Depletion risk in spaces using inert gas suppression systems or experiencing heavy CO2 release |
| Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) | BESS, battery rooms | Toxic at very low concentrations. Produced during certain battery fault conditions |
| Methane (CH4) | BESS | Flammable. Released during lithium-ion thermal runaway |
| Ethylene (C2H4) | BESS | Early marker of battery degradation and off-gassing prior to thermal runaway |
| Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) | Battery rooms | Produced by lead-acid battery malfunction |
| Combustible Gases (LEL) | All environments | Broad flammable gas detection across multiple source types |
Evikon MCI Gas Detection: The Product Range
Indigi Power & Cooling supplies the full Evikon MCI E2600 sensor and transmitter range. These are industrial-grade fixed gas detectors designed for continuous operation in commercial and critical infrastructure environments. The range includes 13 product series covering more than 150 individual models.
E2673 Off-Gassing Detector
Purpose-built for battery room and BESS applications. The E2673 simultaneously detects hydrogen (H2) and VOCs on a single unit, with integrated humidity and temperature measurement. Maintenance-free long-life sensors, DIN-rail or wall mount, and RS485 Modbus RTU output make this the most efficient solution for battery off-gassing monitoring in UPS rooms and BESS containers.
E2638 Series: Multi-Option Industrial Detectors
The most flexible series in the range. Available for ammonia, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, chlorine, combustible gases (LEL), ethylene, ethylene oxide, hydrogen sulfide, methane, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, oxygen, ozone, refrigerants (HFC), VOCs (sensor and PID), sulfur dioxide, and sulfur hexafluoride. Options include relay outputs, audible and visual alarms, remote probe configuration, LCD indicator, and 90-230 VAC supply. RS485 Modbus RTU and 4-20 mA outputs standard.
E2639 Series: Advanced WiFi-Capable Detectors
The E2639 adds WiFi interface for remote configuration and calibration, reducing maintenance access requirements in hard-to-reach installations such as raised floor voids, ceiling spaces, and BESS container environments. Three SPDT relays (two alarm thresholds, one fault), 4-20 mA and RS485 outputs. Covers the full gas range including SF6 (sulfur hexafluoride) for switchgear environments.
E2670 Series: ATEX Flameproof Detectors
For installations in classified hazardous areas. The E2670 range is rated for ATEX Zone 2 and Zone 22 environments, built in aluminium pressure die-cast enclosures. Suitable for applications where the risk of explosive atmospheres requires certified equipment. Covers ammonia, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, combustible gases (LEL), ethylene, hydrogen sulfide, methane, nitric oxide, nitrous oxide, oxygen, refrigerants (HFC), and VOCs.
E2660 Series: Dual Gas Transmitters
Single-unit simultaneous detection of two gases. Available combinations include CO + CO2, CO + NO, CO + NO2, and CO + LEL. IP65 enclosure, RS485 Modbus RTU, and 4-20 mA outputs. Efficient for applications where two detection requirements exist in close proximity.
E2608 / E2618 / E2648 Series: Industrial Transmitters
Three series of industrial-grade transmitters for continuous fixed monitoring. IP65 rated, attached or remote sensor options, 4-20 mA and 0-10V analog outputs, RS485 Modbus RTU. Power options from 12-36 VDC to 230 VAC. Suitable for integration with BMS and SCADA systems. Cover the full gas type range.
E2610 / E2611 / E2630 Series: Indoor Detectors and Alarms
Wall-mount units for server rooms, plant rooms, and internal battery rooms. Integrated visual LED alarm and 85 dB audible buzzer, relay outputs, power from 24V or 230 VAC. Suitable where standalone alarm capability is required without full BMS integration.
System Design and Installation
Gas detection is only effective when sensors are correctly positioned for the density behaviour of the target gas. Hydrogen is lighter than air and accumulates near the ceiling. Carbon monoxide, VOCs, HF, and CO2 are heavier and settle low, near battery racks or floor level. A detection system designed without accounting for gas density will miss the event it is meant to catch.
Indigi Power & Cooling provides:
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Site assessment and gas risk identification across all environments
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Sensor placement design based on gas density, room layout, and ventilation paths
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Supply and installation of Evikon MCI fixed detection systems
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Integration with existing BMS, fire panels, and ventilation control systems
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Output configuration to 4-20 mA, 0-10V, or RS485 Modbus RTU to suit your platform
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Commissioning, calibration, and ongoing maintenance
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Documentation to support AS/NZS compliance requirements
We work alongside our UPS installation and CRAC maintenance services, meaning power, cooling, and gas safety can all be managed through a single contractor for critical infrastructure projects across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and Papua New Guinea.
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If you are specifying or retrofitting gas detection for a battery room, data centre, or BESS installation anywhere in Australia, contact the Indigi Power & Cooling team to discuss sensor selection, system design, and installation.
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