Meier Fire Investigation’s Expert Richard Meier On Rise In Home Gas Explosions featured on The National Desk’s Spotlight on America.
Meier Fire’s principal expert has collaborated with The News Desk’s award winning journalist Angie Moreschi and photojournalist Nathan Aaron on an breaking story documenting the rise in dangerous and deadly residential gas explosions. The journalists uncovered shocking data that home gas explosons are increasing and that there is no central authority collecting data on these explosions.
Richard Meier joined the Angie Morcschi in early April, 2024 via zoom and added his expertise on gas explosions to the excellent fact finding journalism by the team.
Home Explosion Reporting Highlights
The Number of Residential Explosions Is Increasing
2023 was the deadliest year for catastrophic gas-related home and building explosions in nearly 20 years, with at least 23 fatalities and 39 injuries in 613 reported explosion events. (Source Data table for gas-related explosion incidents, fatalities, & injuries from 2004-2023. (PHMSA)).
Full statistics on explosions is hard to find. There is no mandatory, central agency collecting data on gas explosions in the US. Currently, fire departments voluntarily report incidents to the National Fire Adminstration. Additionally, The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is often called out to investigate major explosions (fatalities, injury, and large property losses) in many but not all explosion events.
According to Expert Richard Meier On Rise In Home Gas Explosions there are many contributing factors to the increase in explosions.
Aging Infrastructure
Aging infrastructure may be a contributor to the increase in gas explosions. Old, corroded, gas pipelines are prone to leakage which can lead to gas escaping the pipe and entering structures. This fugitive gas can potentially cause an explosion. Meier Fire Investigation has investigated a number of explosion cases linked to gas pipes that remained in service well beyond their functional lifespan.
Human Error
Human error, especially during contruction or repairs on or near gas lines and appliances are another significant source of gas leaks that can lead to explosions. Special care should be taken during work near gas utilities to avoid releasing gas.
Defective Equipment
Malfunctioning, damaged or defective equipment, like gas meters, gas regulators and appliances in or near the home can be the source of gas fueling an explosion. Proper maintence of gas appliances, furnaces and the piping for them is critical for keeping your home safe. Fire and explosion investigators are specially trained to analyze this kind of evidence in an explosion event to determine the source of the gas.
What you can do to keep your home safe
React quickly
If you smell gas, get out immediately. Don’t stop. Don’t call 911 while you’re still in the home. Leave the home. Take everybody with you,” Meier advises.
People often don’t understand how little energy is needed to spark a serious explosion. Natural gas explosions can be ignited by a very small amount of energy. The flip of a light switch or static arc on a dry day contains more than enough energy to initiate a fatal explosion.
Get an early warning
One way to protect you and your loved ones from a gas explosion is to buy an in-home gas detector. Similiar to a home smoke detector, these devices can alert you to the presence of gas before an accidental ignition.
Read the full story on Spotlight on America’s Website.
Watch the full video of The Reporting & Expert Richard Meier On Rise In Home Gas Explosions
Richard Meier Explosion Investigation Expert
Richard Meier is a full-time fire and explosion investigator and expert.
Richard Meier’s cases have included property damage, death and injury investigations resulting from liquid propane (LP) gas, natural gas, and gun powder/ammunition, and fireworks explosions.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from the University of Akron. He has taken additional college courses at the Universities of Maryland and Wisconsin.
Prior to starting his own company, he was a Senior Staff Expert with John A. Kennedy and Associates, the world’s oldest fire investigation company. He also spent 24 years as a design and manufacturing engineer designing, building, and trouble-shooting a wide range of products and equipment.
Expert Richard Meier On Rise In Home Gas Explosions, Published April 17, 2024.
