CALGARY, Alberta, Sept. 18, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- To bring the world’s most affordable photoionization detector (PID) to market, Blackline Safety Corp. (TSXV: BLN) signed a supply and revenue-sharing agreement with Ion Science, the global leader in designing and manufacturing of volatile organic compound (VOC) sensors.

Hazardous to the short-term and long-term health of employees, VOCs are gases given off by a variety of liquids and solids that can impact the respiratory system, skin, eyes and can cause fatigue, memory loss and affect the nervous system and function of internal organs. Specialized PID sensors use high-energy ultraviolet light to ionize gases into negatively-charged electrons and positively-charged components. VOC levels are measured by monitoring the current flow between electrodes inside the sensor.

“Ion Science supplies more PID sensors than any other manufacturer, and our MiniPID 2 eliminates two key challenges — humidity and contamination,” said Duncan Johns, Managing Director at Ion Science. “In order to bring our proven technology to a wider audience, we forged a unique relationship with Blackline. Rather than a traditional sensor sale to an OEM customer, we offer our PID sensors to Blackline as a rental, complementing how they bring gas detection to the market as an overall service offering.”

“Until now, PID technology has been less affordable for large workforce deployments with instruments often costing several thousand dollars each,” said Cody Slater, CEO and Chairman for Blackline Safety. “Advanced Ion Science PID sensors are now part of our overall G7 gas detection portfolio and services that include a lifetime sensor warranty. Businesses that have not been able to justify the expense of PID technology can now affordably deploy across their teams with known costs. Further, our G7 Complete leasing program can provide these capabilities with affordable monthly payments and zero startup fees.”

PID sensors are highly sensitive devices and occasionally require cleaning of the internal ultra-violet bulb, bulb replacement and replacement of the electrode stack. Blackline’s G7 gas detector features a plug-and-play cartridge interface that enables any G7 device to be equipped with a PID sensor while also limiting maintenance. When a PID sensor requires servicing, Blackline customers simply replace the G7 cartridge in seconds, eliminating downtime. In contrast, traditional PID instruments take tens of minutes each to be disassembled, PID sensor removed and taken apart, parts cleaned and then reassembled.

Mr. Slater added, “Included in our relationship with Ion Science is lifetime sensor maintenance, performed at their facility in the United Kingdom. Every time a customer installs a new PID sensor cartridge, they benefit from a factory-certified replacement that is maintained by expert technicians.”

The Ion Science MiniPID 2 sensor takes advantage of patented Fence Electrode Technology that eliminates the common problem of humidity influencing VOC readings, while an internal membrane reduces contamination. MiniPID 2 is now available for Blackline’s G7 Single-gas Diffusion Cartridge and Multi-gas Diffusion Cartridge, plus the upcoming Multi-gas Pump Cartridge, scheduled to be released this fall.

To learn about Blackline Safety, visit www.blacklinesafety.com and follow on Twitter @blacklinesafety.

About Ion Science: For over 25 years, Ion Science has designed, manufactured and supplied gas sensors and gas detection instruments for a wide range of industries and applications. Manufactured in-house at our UK plant, our sensor technology and instrumentation are designed and developed by a talented team and distributed worldwide through a global network of distributors. Experts in photoionization detection (PID) technology, Ion Science manufacture and supply more PID sensors than any other gas detection company in the world. Our PID sensor is used by major, global gas detection manufacturers and found within most PID instrumentation available today for the detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

About Blackline Safety: Blackline Safety is a global connected safety technology leader. Providing comprehensive live-monitoring and wireless gas detection, we help teams working in hazardous environments respond to emergencies in real-time and manage efficient evacuations, accounting for everyone’s safety along the way. With millions invested in technology research and development, Blackline Safety is recognized for quality and innovation. Our talented team of designers and engineers create and manufacture in-house — from wearable technology and personal gas detectors to cloud-hosted infrastructure and web-based interfaces for global industry. We deliver the world’s first turn-key, work-anywhere, connected safety monitoring solution with gas detection, 3G wireless, satellite communications, two-way speakerphone, employee messaging and live monitoring to meet the demanding safety challenges of organizations in over 100 countries. For more information, visit www.BlacklineSafety.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cody Slater, CEO
[email protected]

Blackline Safety Corp.
Unit 101, 1215 13 Street SE
Calgary, AB Canada T2G 3J4
Telephone: +1 403 451 0327
Fax: +1 403 451 9981
www.BlacklineSafety.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/48f5b65a-2d34-492e-8e83-0aed2d053071