Gas, fire and explosion cases may result from numerous causes. For example, fires may arise as a result defective products contained within the house or structure. Gas explosions may be caused by violations of applicable codes, standards or recommended safe practices; a defective product or combination of defective products; or minimal or no public or consumer information on the safe handling and use of propane or natural gas.
Propane has ignition temperatures of 920 to 1120 degrees F; whereas natural gas has ignition temperatures of 900 - 1170 degrees F. Propane gas is thinner than air (and settles to low areas generally); whereas, natural gas ( methane) is lighter than air (and rises generally). Both are odorless in their natural state and both are suppose to have odorant added as a warning agent. Many propane companies service the same area; whereas, one large utility company generally serves a general geographic area for natural gas.
Generally, approximately 26 million people use propane gas; whereas, more than 100 million people use natural gas. You are four times more likely to be involved in a fire or explosion using Propane (LP Gas) vs Natural Gas (Methane). You are 13 times more likely to be severely injured or burned with Propane (LP Gas) vs. Natural Gas (Methane). You are more than 100 times more likely to be killed or severely injured if there is a product failure using Propane (LP Gas) vs. Natural Gas (Methane).
Read examples of burn injuries and law suits resulting from gasoline spills and related explosions:
Sunbeam Recalls '97-'98 Model Gas Grills for Possible Fire Hazard - 6/18/99
Sunbeam Corporation announced today that it is recalling some of its 1997 and 1998 Grillmaster gas grills with side burners, due to a possible fire hazard. Only the Grillmaster grills with side burners are effected by this recall. The gas line on the side burners of these grills are to close to the burner which can melt the gas line creating a possible fire/explosion hazard.
Argon Gas Purifier Explosion - Arizona
An argon gas purifier used in welding exploded when a high pressure argon cylinder (2000 psig) was erroneously connected to the purifier, designed for lower pressures (250 psig). This was basically a mechanical explosion. However, the purifier contains better materials at high temperatures. When the purifier exploded (mechanically) the result was a fire storm. When the better materials hit the oxygen in the atmosphere they ignited. Issues in the case involved the design and safety of the argon purifier, labeling and warning, adequacy of instruction manuals, and contributory negligence.
