Overview
Confined space gas detection has two distinct and equally important phases: the pre-entry atmospheric assessment that determines whether it is safe to enter, and the continuous personal monitoring that protects the worker throughout the entry. Many instruments are designed for one or the other. The RX-8700 is designed to handle both — and to do so simultaneously, with the same instrument, across up to six gas channels at once.
The RX-8700 Portable Gas Detector is a sample draw multi-gas instrument that simultaneously monitors combustible gas (LEL), oxygen (O2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbon monoxide (CO), and up to two additional configurable gas channels. Its integrated pump provides sample draw assessment at distance before entry, while the same instrument continues to monitor diffusion-based personal protection during the entry. An optional infrared (IR) sensor extends detection to a 0–100% volume hydrocarbon range, covering the full concentration range from trace LEL through to pure hydrocarbon atmospheres encountered in petrochemical and pipeline entry environments.
What differentiates the RX-8700 in this category is the combination of sample draw capability, optional IR sensor for full-range hydrocarbon detection, an 18-hour continuous operating time from a lithium battery pack, and internationally recognised approvals — including ATEX, IECEx, IECEX, and MED (Marine Equipment Directive) — in a single 320g instrument. The MED certification in particular sets the RX-8700 apart for marine and offshore inspection applications where a significant percentage of comparable instruments lack the specific marine equipment approval required for vessel entry and confined space work on ships.
Key Features
Sample Draw Pump with Adjustable Flow Rate
The RX-8700’s integrated pump draws atmospheric samples through a probe or hose, enabling pre-entry confined space assessment from outside the entry point. Sample flow rate is adjustable to optimise sampling performance for different probe lengths and application requirements. The pump capability allows the atmosphere at the lowest point of a confined space — where heavy gases like H2S and hydrocarbons accumulate — to be assessed before any worker enters, supporting the pre-entry assessment requirement of formal confined space entry programmes.
Optional IR Sensor — 0–100% Volume Hydrocarbon Detection
An optional infrared sensor extends the combustible gas channel to a 0–100% volume detection range for hydrocarbons — covering the full concentration range from LEL trace levels through to pure hydrocarbon atmospheres. Standard catalytic bead LEL sensors are inhibited in oxygen-deficient atmospheres and damaged by high hydrocarbon concentrations above LEL. The IR sensor option operates reliably across the full concentration range and in oxygen-deficient conditions — making it the correct sensor choice for entry into vessels, pipelines, and storage tanks where hydrocarbon concentrations may exceed LEL at any point during the entry. For petrochemical, refinery, and pipeline inspection applications, the IR sensor option is a safety-relevant specification difference, not just a technical preference.
18-Hour Continuous Operating Time
Standard lithium battery operation provides an 18-hour continuous operating time — covering extended shifts, multi-entry inspection days, and overnight survey operations from a single charge. An optional alkaline battery pack (AA batteries) provides backup operation when lithium battery recharging is not available — particularly relevant for remote site operations, offshore deployment, and emergency response scenarios where charging infrastructure cannot be relied upon. The 18-hour lithium runtime exceeds the 8-hour working day standard for most personal monitor alternatives, providing additional operational flexibility for extended confined space inspection programmes.
Simultaneous 6-Gas Detection
The RX-8700 monitors up to six gas channels simultaneously — standard configuration covering LEL, O2, H2S, and CO, with up to two additional configurable channels available for the specific gas hazard profile of the application. All six channels are displayed and monitored simultaneously, with independent alarm thresholds for each channel. For confined space pre-entry assessment where all gas channels must be clear before the entry decision is made, simultaneous multi-channel display ensures no channel is missed or required to be checked separately.
Digital LCD Display — 7-Segment Segments Plus 1 Bar Display
The digital LCD provides clear, readable concentration values for all monitored gas channels simultaneously — including bar graph display for intuitive relative concentration indication alongside numerical values. Readable in the range of lighting conditions encountered during confined space pre-entry survey and ongoing monitoring — from bright outdoor pre-entry positions to darker confined space environments during the entry itself.
ATEX, IECEx, and MED Certification
The RX-8700 carries ATEX certification for EU/UK hazardous area deployment, IECEx for international hazardous area recognition across 50+ countries, and MED (Marine Equipment Directive) certification for marine vessel applications. MED certification confirms the instrument meets the specific safety requirements for gas detection equipment on board ships — required for confined space entry work on vessels and marine structure inspections where general ATEX/IECEx certification alone may not satisfy the vessel operator’s equipment approval requirements.
USB Data Logger Output
USB data logger output allows atmospheric monitoring data, alarm events, and gas concentration readings to be transferred directly to a PC for documentation, report generation, and compliance record keeping. For confined space entry permit systems and industrial inspection programmes where atmospheric monitoring records are required as evidence of pre-entry assessment, USB data transfer provides a direct pathway from instrument readings to compliance documentation.
Sound, Light, and Vibration Alarms with Peak Hold Function
When any gas channel breaches alarm thresholds, the RX-8700 triggers sound, light, and vibration alarms simultaneously. The peak hold function retains the highest concentration reading for each gas channel after an alarm event — providing a record of the peak exposure or concentration reached during the entry for post-entry review, permit-to-work documentation, and incident investigation purposes.
Technical Specifications
Model: RX-8700
Gas Detection: Up to 6 gases simultaneously (LEL/IR, O2, H2S, CO + configurable channels)
IR Option: 0–100% volume hydrocarbon detection (optional IR sensor)
Display: Digital LCD (7-segment + 1 bar display)
Sampling Method: Sample draw pump (adjustable flow rate)
Battery: Lithium battery pack (standard, 18hr operating time) / Alkaline AA battery pack (optional)
Operating Time: 18 hours (lithium, no alarm, no light, at 20°C) | Alkaline AA: varies
Weight: Approximately 320g (without battery)
Dimensions: Approximately 144×80×35mm (without battery pack)
Alarm Types: Sound, Light (LED), Vibration — Peak hold function
Safety Approvals: ATEX, IECEx, MED (Marine Equipment Directive)
Other Functions: Count light, dial shagger, peak hold, power data functions × 2
Data Transfer: USB data logger
Accessories: AC adapter, sampling probe, acid gas sampling tube, filter tube, junction tube, shoulder strap, pump tube fitting, filter tube
Operating Temperature: -20°C to 50°C (lithium) / -20°C to 40°C (alkaline)
Benefits
One instrument for both pre-entry assessment and ongoing personal protection. The sample draw pump provides pre-entry atmospheric assessment from outside the space; the same instrument continues monitoring on diffusion during the entry. This eliminates the need to carry a separate pre-entry survey instrument alongside a personal monitor — simplifying the confined space entry equipment kit and reducing per-entry preparation time.
IR sensor option for reliable detection in oxygen-deficient and high-concentration hydrocarbon environments. Standard LEL catalytic bead sensors can fail to read accurately in oxygen-deficient atmospheres and can be permanently damaged by high hydrocarbon concentrations above LEL. The IR sensor option eliminates both failure modes — providing accurate combustible gas detection across the full 0–100% volume range regardless of oxygen level. For entry into vessels and storage tanks that may contain concentrated hydrocarbon atmospheres, this is a safety-relevant capability difference.
18-hour runtime covers extended inspection days and multi-entry programmes. An 18-hour lithium battery runtime covers a full extended working day from a single charge — with the optional alkaline battery pack providing backup operation for remote and offshore deployments where recharging is not available. For inspection contractors conducting multiple confined space entries across a full working day, the 18-hour runtime removes battery management as an operational constraint.
MED certification for marine and offshore confined space work. The Marine Equipment Directive certification opens the RX-8700 for use in confined space entry on board vessels and marine structures where vessel operators require MED-certified equipment specifically. For inspection contractors working in the marine sector, MED certification is the specification that determines site access — and the RX-8700 provides it alongside ATEX and IECEx.
Peak hold function provides post-entry exposure data for permit documentation. The peak concentration retained by the peak hold function after an alarm event provides documented evidence of the highest gas concentration reached during an entry — useful for permit-to-work post-entry records, incident investigation, and health surveillance documentation where the peak exposure level during a specific entry needs to be established.
Who It’s For
The Marine Survey Inspector and Offshore Confined Space Supervisor
You conduct confined space inspections on board vessels, offshore platforms, and marine structures where vessel operators require MED-certified gas detection equipment alongside ATEX/IECEx approval. You need a single survey instrument that satisfies all three approval requirements simultaneously, provides sample draw pre-entry assessment and simultaneous personal monitoring, and operates reliably for an extended inspection day without charging access. The RX-8700’s triple certification, 18-hour runtime, and optional alkaline battery backup address all three operational requirements.
The Petrochemical and Refinery Confined Space Entry Supervisor
You manage confined space entries into process vessels, storage tanks, and heat exchangers in a petroleum refinery or petrochemical plant. Your entry programme requires pre-entry atmospheric assessment of the full vessel interior before worker entry, IR sensor capability for accurate detection in oxygen-deficient and high-concentration hydrocarbon atmospheres, and documented atmospheric data for every entry permit. The RX-8700’s sample draw pump, IR sensor option, and USB data logger cover your entire pre-entry and documentation workflow.
The Industrial Inspection Contractor Covering Multiple Site Types
You conduct atmospheric surveys and confined space inspections across diverse client sites — refineries, wastewater utilities, marine vessels, and industrial plants — each with different gas hazard profiles and certification requirements. You need a single survey instrument with ATEX, IECEx, and MED certification that covers all site access requirements, supports configurable gas channels for different hazard profiles, and provides USB data export for client report documentation. The RX-8700 addresses all of those requirements in a single instrument specification.
Possible Applications
- Marine vessel confined space inspection — Pre-entry atmospheric assessment of ship holds, ballast tanks, cargo spaces, and enclosed vessel compartments under MED certification requirements
- Offshore platform confined space entry — Pre-entry survey of enclosed modules, compressor rooms, storage vessels, and process equipment on offshore oil and gas platforms
- Petroleum refinery vessel entry — Pre-entry atmospheric assessment of distillation columns, reactors, storage tanks, and heat exchangers with IR sensor for full hydrocarbon range detection
- Pipeline inspection and pigging receiver entry — Atmospheric assessment of pipeline launchers, receivers, and enclosed pipeline infrastructure where hydrocarbon concentrations above LEL may be present
- Petrochemical plant shutdown maintenance — Multi-gas pre-entry and continuous personal monitoring across process vessel entries during planned shutdown and turnaround maintenance
- Wastewater treatment confined space entry — Pre-entry H2S, CO, O2, and LEL assessment of digesters, pump stations, and underground treatment structures
- Mining and tunnelling inspection — Atmospheric survey of underground workings, drive headings, and enclosed mining infrastructure before worker re-entry after blasting or extended shutdown
- Emergency response and hazmat scene assessment — Multi-gas atmospheric survey of incident scenes and unknown environments before emergency response team entry
Trust and Certifications
ATEX — European Explosive Atmosphere Standard
ATEX certification confirms the RX-8700 meets the European standard for equipment used in explosive atmospheres — required for deployment on EU and UK sites with formal ATEX zone classifications. For inspection contractors working across European industrial facilities, refineries, and offshore installations, ATEX certification is the site access prerequisite the RX-8700 satisfies.
IECEx — International Hazardous Area Recognition
IECEx certification provides internationally recognised hazardous area approval accepted across 50+ countries including Australia, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. For inspection contractors and industrial companies operating across international markets, IECEx removes the need for separate national certifications in most jurisdictions — providing global site access coverage from a single instrument specification.
MED — Marine Equipment Directive Certification
Marine Equipment Directive certification confirms the RX-8700 meets the specific safety requirements for gas detection equipment on board ships under EU MED requirements. MED certification is required by many vessel operators for gas detection equipment used in confined space entry work on board ships — and it is a certification that a significant proportion of otherwise capable portable gas detectors do not carry. For marine sector inspection contractors and vessel maintenance companies, MED certification is the specification that determines whether an instrument can be used on board a compliant vessel.
IR Sensor Option — Verified Full-Range Hydrocarbon Detection
The optional IR sensor’s 0–100% volume hydrocarbon detection range — including reliable operation in oxygen-deficient atmospheres — is a manufacturer-verified performance specification that directly addresses a documented failure mode of standard catalytic bead LEL sensors in the environments where the RX-8700 is most commonly used. For petrochemical and marine inspection applications where this failure mode is a genuine safety concern, the IR sensor option is the specification that prevents a catalytic sensor limitation from creating a false-clear reading in a hazardous atmosphere.
Manufacturer Gas Detection Expertise
The RX-8700 is manufactured by a company with a long-established focus on professional gas detection instruments for industrial, marine, and hazardous area applications. The breadth and depth of application knowledge that comes from decades of specialist focus is reflected in instrument features like the peak hold function, alkaline battery backup option, and MED certification — features that address the actual operational needs of professional confined space and marine inspection work.
Accessories and Variants
Sampling Probe and Extension Tube
Sampling probes and extension tubes for sample draw operation — reaching the depth and distance required for complete confined space pre-entry assessment. Available in multiple lengths for different confined space geometries.
Acid Gas Sampling Tube
For applications where acid gases may be present alongside the standard gas channels — provides selective filtering to protect sensor integrity during sampling in acid gas environments.
Filter Tube and Junction Tube
Particulate filter tube for sampling in dusty or particulate-laden atmospheres where sensor protection is required. Junction tube for sampling hose configuration and assembly.
Alkaline AA Battery Pack (Optional)
Backup power option using standard AA alkaline batteries — provides operational independence from charging infrastructure for remote site, offshore, and emergency response deployments where lithium battery recharging may not be available.
AC Adapter and Shoulder Strap
AC adapter for mains charging of the lithium battery pack. Shoulder strap for hands-free carrying during extended survey operations.
USB Data Cable
For PC connection and data logger transfer — atmospheric monitoring data and alarm event records exported directly from the RX-8700 to a computer for compliance documentation and report generation.
Related Products from Alright Engineering Solutions
GX-6000 Sample Draw Multi Gas Monitor — Alternative 6-gas sample draw monitor with ATEX/IECEx certification and colour LCD display
BELL LITE Multi Gas Detector — Personal wearable 4-gas monitor for workers entering spaces assessed by the RX-8700
K-600M Multi Gas Detector — Pump-equipped multi-gas detector with 20m sampling distance and 4G connectivity
BELLMINI Single Gas Detectors — Personal clip-on monitors for individual gas hazards worn during confined space entry
Get in Touch
If your confined space entry programme, marine inspection operation, or petrochemical survey work requires sample draw multi-gas detection with ATEX, IECEx, and MED certification — and the option of IR sensor technology for full-range hydrocarbon detection in oxygen-deficient atmospheres — the RX-8700 is worth a detailed evaluation.
Contact Alright Engineering Solutions to request a formal quote, discuss gas channel and sensor technology configuration for your application, or arrange a product demonstration for your inspection or safety team.
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