Shell Water Detector

New, easy-to-use tubes, enhanced quality assurance

A few years ago, an international flight touched down short of the runway because of “accreted ice from within the fuel system”. With lives at stake, no reputable operator would risk compromising on the quality of its water testing kits.

The SHELL WATER DETECTOR is manufactured following strict quality assurance standards in a purpose-built, humidity-controlled facility. The manufacturer has ISO 9001:2008 accreditation for quality management, which covers manufacture, assembly, packaging and supply. The Shell Water Detector is proven and now comes in easier-to-use packaging, which is designed to enhance product quality assurance even further.

The Shell Water Detector meets JIG and IATA requirements.

New look boxes

Each new-look box contains the same number of capsules (80), but there are now 8 tubes with 10 capsules per tube: previously, 8 capsules in 10 tubes. This change is permitted by the replacement of a desiccant sachet with a coating and reduces packaging waste.

Trusted worldwide

For over 50 years, operators across the world have relied on the Shell Water Detector to check their aviation fuel for suspended water that cannot be detected by visual inspections. The detector capsules are widely used, thanks to their effectiveness and simplicity.

Imitations are available, but, for quality you can trust, we recommend using the original, internationally recognised, industry standard that is the Shell Water Detector.

We understand the importance of sampling efficiently while wearing the correct personal protective equipment, which is why our new shell water detector tubes have flip caps.

These are easy to open and seal with one hand while wearing gloves

New, easier to use packaging

Screw-top tubes can be difficult to use, especially when wearing gloves. We understand the importance of sampling efficiently while wearing the correct personal protective equipment, which is why our new Shell Water Detector tubes have flip caps. These are easy to open and seal with one hand while wearing gloves. We also recommend using reverse-action syringes, which draw samples in when the plunger is pushed – an action that can be performed easily using one hand.

Enhanced product quality assurance

The Shell Water Detector kits continue to be manufactured to high quality standards.
The new desiccant-coated tubes are medical-grade quality, which helps to ensure that the capsules remain protected during the rigors of use.
The new tubes help to ensure that the remaining capsules are protected from moisture, through:
simple flip tops, which are easier to seal from the air
an all-over desiccant coating, which has replaced the desiccant sachet placed at one end of the tube. This improves the protection of the capsules against ambient moisture, especially in humid locations.

Things you should know about the Shell Water Detector

Shell Water Detector was the first product designed and manufactured to test for the presence of free water in Jet A1 fuel in 1957
Shell Water Detector has been and continues to be the most widely used and the test method of choice for the global aviation market for many decades
Shell Water Detector has a remarkable level of consistency. 10 million detectors are produced each year with every detector meeting customer approval for several years
Shell Water Detector has been exclusively manufactured with the endorsement of Shell Aviation by the same company, B H Brawn & Co Ltd in the United Kingdom, since it was first designed
Manufacture of Shell Water Detector is closely controlled by an ISO 9001:2015 approved Quality Management System
Manufacturing process and materials used are constantly assessed to ensure that the product is continually improved
B H Brawn & Co Ltd run a facility dedicated to the manufacture of Shell Water Detector. This facility has two separate units which would allow for the continued manufacture of the product in the event of fire or other disaster. Each unit is humidity and temperature controlled to prevent the product being contaminated by moisture
Shell Water Detector is delivered in clip top vials which contain an integrated sleeve of silica gel infused material along the length of the vial. This provides a consistent level of moisture-preventing protection to each detector
Every daily batch of Shell Water Detector is rigorously tested to ensure that it meets specification. This includes testing of the chemical mix prior to manufacture of the detector, testing of the assembled product prior to despatch and third-party independent testing of each batch by a UKAS-approved laboratory, SGS. All testing involves, among other things, ensuring that the response of the chemical to free water is at a consistent level. SGS tests detector responses at both 15ppm and 30ppm
Every batch of detectors is also checked a further three times throughout its recommended life to ensure that it remains consistent and does not degrade