Preventing natural gas explosions

There are about 286 serious natural gas explosions per year. These are the type of gas explosions that cause property damage, severe injury, or loss of life. Between 1998 and 2017, 15 people per year on average died in incidents related to gas distribution. These gas explosions have left many people wondering if natural gas is safe. Is there anything they can do to help prevent a future occurrence?

Take Preventative Measures
Annual inspection and leak survey
Having your gas pipelines inspected regularly is one of the best preventative measures you can take to avoid natural gas leaks and explosions. Natural gas inspection services consist of an odor test, proper valve operation, above and below ground piping inspection, leak surveying, gas system mapping, and line locating. An annual leak survey is recommended for all properties that have a Master Meter Gas system.

Know what to do if you smell gas
There are four signs that could indicate you might have a small natural gas leak, and it’s time to repair your gas piping:

• A strong smell of gas inside your home or building (an unmistakable sulfur-like smell, often described as a “rotten egg” smell)
• Dead plants in the area of a gas line
• Hissing sound
• White cloud or dust cloud near a gas line

Follow these steps, if you suspect a gas leak:
Recognize when it’s time to repair or replace a gas line
Due to the natural erosion process, some natural gas pipes eventually need to be repaired or replaced. Being proactive—testing, maintaining, and repairing your gas piping—is essential for preventing any long-term damage to your valuable assets and livelihood.

Be aware of where natural gas lines are on your property
It’s important to have a full understanding of all the sources of natural gas on your property for two key reasons:

• If an unknown natural gas line leaks outside or inside a wall and you are not aware that the line exists, it can be very dangerous and potentially deadly
• You could end up paying a large sum of money, not only for the leaked gas over time, but also to repair the leak

Call before you dig
Contact Texas 811 to mark any underground gas lines. It is a free service that must be completed before any type of digging begins. Utility companies and local governments only mark what they own and operate.

If you, or someone you know, have suffered an injury in a natural gas explosion, please contact us at 214.987.0005 or toll free at 888.987.0005 for a free consultation.

Miller Weisbrod's Gas Explosion Attorneys have successfully prosecuted multiple cases against Atmos arising from explosions due to aging pipes, broken pipes and inadequate policies relating to replacement of natural gas pipe components, and failing to warn and evacuate nearby residents. Attorney, Clay Miller obtained a $12,500,000 settlement in a gas explosion resulting in serious burn injuries to our client.

Dallas man injured in 2011 home gas explosion:
When Domingo Mendez's converted garage apartment in South Oak Cliff exploded in 2011, all of his thoughts turned to getting his then 5-year-old son out of the collapsed structure.