press release

Crowcon’s IR Plus, the gas detector built for unparalleled stability, gains FM approval

Marketing

09 September 2026

3 min read

September 09, 2026

Crowcon Detection Instruments has achieved FM approval for IR Plus, its dual waveband infrared hydrocarbon gas detector designed to deliver fast, stable detection in some of the world’s harshest industrial environments.

The approval confirms that IR Plus has been independently tested against stringent North American safety and performance standards for use in hazardous locations. It gives customers further assurance when specifying the detector for projects across the United States and Canada, where FM approval is often an important requirement.

It will also support projects in the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Latin America, where North American standards are frequently used across major industrial developments.

IR Plus provides real-time, fail-safe detection of methane, propane and a range of other hydrocarbon gases and vapours. It is designed for demanding applications including oil and gas, petrochemical processing, tank farms and power generation, where reliable gas detection is critical to protecting people, assets and operations.

Its dual infrared waveband technology is combined with intelligent heated optics and Crowcon’s STAY-CLIR hydrophobic reflectors. Together, these features help IR Plus maintain stability in conditions that can interfere with conventional infrared detectors, including extreme temperatures, high humidity, condensation, dust and corrosive chemicals.

“IR Plus was developed to solve a genuine industry challenge. Customers need detectors that continue to perform reliably when exposed to extreme weather, humidity and contamination, without unnecessary false alarms or downtime.

“Achieving FM approval gives customers further independent assurance in the safety and performance of IR Plus. It is an important milestone that will make it easier to specify the detector across North America and other markets that recognise these standards.”

Yasin Yehya,
Product Manager, Fixed Systems

IR Plus operates in temperatures ranging from -40°C to +70°C and humidity levels up to 100% relative humidity, including condensing environments. Its robust 316L stainless-steel enclosure and IP66 protection make it suitable for both onshore and offshore installations.

Alongside its stability, IR Plus delivers a T90 response time of four seconds, providing rapid warning when hydrocarbon gases are present. Intelligent monitoring of the optics also provides an early warning when cleaning is required, helping operators plan maintenance before detector performance is affected.

Remote, non-intrusive testing and calibration allow detectors installed in difficult-to-access locations to be maintained from a safer, more convenient position. This can reduce the time personnel need to spend in hazardous areas while helping to maximise operational uptime.

IR Plus provides 4-20mA analogue and RS-485 Modbus outputs as standard, with optional HART communications. This enables integration with a wide range of gas detection panels, programmable logic controllers, distributed control systems, SCADA platforms and asset management systems.

“FM approval further strengthens the position of IR Plus as a highly dependable solution for hydrocarbon gas detection.

“We have combined almost two decades of infrared technology experience with extensive testing to create a detector that offers the speed, stability and resilience customers need in challenging environments. This approval allows even more customers to benefit from that technology.”

Michael Vaux,
Commercial Director

FM approval adds to IR Plus’s existing ATEX, IECEx, INMETRO, CNEx, PESO and ECAS certifications. The detector is also SIL 2 certified in accordance with IEC 61508 and EN 50402.

For more information about IR Plus, visit: www.crowcon.com/products/ir-plus/