Gas explosion: risks, how to avoid it?

In the event of a gas leak, there is a risk of gas explosion. In concrete terms, gas is explosive under pressure, flammable, and its combustion products can be toxic and deadly, hence the importance of protection against it. When can gas explode? ? In a house ? How to prevent gas explosion? What to do if this happens? If there is victims ?

When can gas explode at home?

“Like all combustible gases, it is also called natural gas “a range of explosiveness”. In other words, if there is a gas leak (due to a boiler, faulty butane gas cylinder or poor condition of the building), the gas good ratio with air and there is accidental (or intentional) ignition, such as turning on the heat, risk of explosion. You must have an explosive (provided by firemen, gas workers and gas specialists) to know this explosion area and avoid the risk of explosion.Captain Vincent Lombard, a firefighter and former firefighter from Paris, provides the details. Gas that accumulates in an enclosed space, such as a basement, apartment building, or sewer, can therefore cause large explosions. “When it comes to gas leak interventions, the risk of an explosion is always taken very seriously by firefighters, but despite this, explosion-related accidents still occur very often (we recall that An explosion occurred in Paris rue de Trevise In January 2019 caused the death of 4 people and about 60 injuries). This is the explosion of household gas cylinders in multiple fires“.

What are the dangers of a gas explosion?

A gas explosion can cause:

• Fire
• Poisoning by products of combustion, which may be toxic
• Projection of debris
• Burns

What to do in the event of a gas explosion at home?

In case of gas leakage or abnormal gas smell indicating gas leakage (approx smell of sulfur or rotten eggs), is correct:

• Extinguishing or not lighting a cigarette
• Do not turn the devices on or off switches capable of sparking (bell, light switch, mobile phone or any other electrical device…)
• Ventilate the place as much as possible
• If it is possible, turn off the gas or operate the building’s supply shut-off valve
• Calmly evacuate the premises, call the emergency services and wait for the emergency services to give the right to re-enter the building.
• Call a gas expert to check it before you start the installation again.

“When firefighters respond to flammable gas leaks, we can see that they do not extinguish the flammable gas leak, but water it. anything burning nearby with water spears ; This maneuver, which may seem absurd to neophytes, is intended to result in gas and avoid the risk of explosion (as long as
gas burns, there is no risk of explosion). The purpose of the operation is to find and continue cutting the gas barrier, the maneuver is performed in pairs. with the GRDF ambulance service (gas distribution network France) acquires knowledge about network and connection devices“

What if a victim in a gas explosion?

If there is a victim, you must act responsibly by ensuring your own safety:

• Remove the victim to a ventilated room to avoid sparks
• Evacuate the area and prevent entry
• Call for help 18 or 112 from a non-hazardous area to avoid sparking.

► Must in case of gas leak do not touch any device, electrical installation or any object that can create a flame (match, lift, switch, laptop, power socket, bell, telephone, switch, flashlight, lighter, etc.).

► Regularly check and maintain the residential gas appliances

► Ventilate and maintain ventilation

► Track the evolution of existing regulations

Thanks to Captain Vincent Lombart, a firefighter and former firefighter from Paris.

Sources: Website of the French Firefighters / December 2003 POURNY report on firefighter safety