Gas-detection apparatus

Tender description

Northern Gas Networks require a single supplier to supply gas detection equipment across their regional network. Northern Gas Networks Limited will be using the provision of the Achilles Utilities Vendor Database (UVDB) as a means of a qualification system for this contract. You will be required to register on the Achilles UVDB on of before midday on Friday 5.5. 2017. We would advise that you commence your pre-qualification via the UVDB as soon as possible. If you are not pre-qualified via the UVDB by the Friday 5.5.2017 you will be excluded from this tender event. Region of Supply: North East — Including Cumbria. Other Criteria: Documented Quality Management System, Documented Health and Safety System and a Documented Environmental Management System. Scope of Requirements Northern Gas Networks (NGN) has over 200 First Call Operatives (FCO), who respond to emergency calls to the National Gas Emergency Service telephone number. These FCOs are equipped with hand-held, portable gas detection equipment to detect concentrations of gas (methane) in the air that result from leakage from gas services. Emergency calls that come through the National Gas Emergency Service telephone number can relate to Public Reported Escapes (PREs) of gas or can in some instances be classified as ‘fumes’, in that the report may not be able to assign the smell to a gas leak but might be the result of a malfunctioning appliance. Therefore, The FCO has to perform several tasks and be able to determine: 1. Is it safe to enter the premises? 2. Is it possible to locate the source of the leak? 3. Is it possible to increase the safety of the householder and general public? NGN has recognised that additional work undertaken by the FCO could result in improving the overall safety of gas use. NGN has made an undertaking to provide additional gas detection capability for the FCO instruments, to extend the applications to determine if there is carbon monoxide (CO) present or if there is a deficiency in oxygen concentration. In this way the equipment carried by the FCO shall be able to: 1. Determine if there is a gas leak inside a premises, through use of a gas detector fitted with a probe which can fit through a letter-box or a vent. 2. Determine the source of a gas leak through ‘Sweep tests’ using the gas detector fitted with a probe, both inside and outside of premises. 3. Determine that it is safe to enter a confined space, through use of an analyser that measures and indicates the oxygen concentration within the confined space. Again use of a probe is required to enable the FCO to be in a safe area and ascertain that it is safe to enter the confined space. 4. Determine if there is elevated Carbon Monoxide (CO) concentration inside premises, prior to entry through use of an analyser fitted with a probe. 5. Determine the source of elevated CO concentration from a malfunctioning item of equipment. Clearly the functionality and usability of the portable gas detection equipment underpins the overall safety of the general public, the householder and the FCO in emergency situations. Please find below the UVDB codes that Northern Gas Networks will be using to identify suppliers: 3.2.7) — Detection/Monitoring Equipment Bidders must also ensure that they meet NGNs specified selection criteria to be selected for this opportunity:-