• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

NATURAL GAS AND PROPANE FIRES, EXPLOSIONS AND LEAKS ESTIMATES AND INCIDENT DESCRIPTIONS Marty Ahrens Ben Evarts October 2018 Acknowledgements The National Fire Protection Association thanks all the fire departments and state fire authorities who participate in the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) and the annual NFPA fire experience survey. These firefighters are the original sources of the detailed data that make this analysis possible. Their contributions allow us to estimate the size of the fire problem. We are also grateful to the U.S. Fire Administration for its work in developing, coordinating, and maintaining NFIRS. To learn more about research at NFPA visit www.nfpa.org/research. E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 617-984-7450 NFPA Index No. 2873 Copyright© 2018, National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA This custom analysis is prepared by and copyright is held by the National Fire Protection Association. Notwithstanding the custom nature of this analysis, the NFPA retains all rights to utilize all or any part of this analysis, including any information, text, charts, tables or diagrams developed or produced as part hereof in any manner whatsoever as it deems appropriate, including but not limited to the further commercial dissemination hereof by any means or media to any party. Purchaser is hereby licensed to reproduce this material for his or her own use and benefit, and to display this in his/her printed material, publications, articles or website. Except as specifically set out in the initial request, purchaser may not assign, transfer or grant any rights to use this material to any third parties without permission of NFPA. Natural Gas and Propane Fires, Explosions and Leaks Estimates and Incident Descriptions An estimated average of 4,200 home structure fires per year started with the ignition of natural gas. These fires caused an average of 40 deaths per year. The statistics, incident descriptions from NFPA publications and reports from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) show that most major gas incidents involved some type of leak. In the U.S., local fire departments respond to an average of 340 natural gas or LP-Gas leaks per day with no ignition. Although gas leaks are much more common than gas ignitions, they can be precursors to devastating events. Gas Leaks in or on Home Properties Reported to Local Fire Departments Local fire departments responded to an average of 125,000 natural gas or LP-Gas leaks per year that did not result in fires in or at home properties in 2012-2016. Since 2007, these incidents have generally been increasing. The National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS), the source of details about fires and other incidents, does not specifically identify which gas leaked or where it leaked from. Some portion of these leaks were probably from gas grills or cylinders rather than gas distribution systems. Unfortunately, these cannot be separated or quantified. Home Structure Fires that Began with the Ignition of Natural Gas: 2012-2016 Leaks or breaks were the leading factors contributing to home structure fires per year that began with the ignition of natural gas. Cooking equipment was involved in 54% of the natural gas fires, and heating equipment, including water heaters, was involved in 25%. No clear trend was seen for these fires. Descriptions of Natural Gas and Propane Fires and Explosions from NFPA Publications These incident descriptions from NFPA Journal’s Firewatch column and reports from the Research, Data and Analytics Division show what can happen in these incidents, and something about fire department activities at these incidents. These incidents show what can happen; they should not be considered typical or statistically representative. Most of these incidents involved fatalities after an ignition of, or explosion involving, leaked gas. Synopses of NTSB Reports on Natural Gas and Propane Pipeline Incidents involving Homes The NTSB performs in-depth investigations of major transportation incidents, including gas pipeline incidents. Their exhaustive investigation includes details on the materials used, installation process, pre- incident conditions, how any leak occurred, relevant regulations, practices and actions taken during the event by all consumers, utilities, first responders, and the event aftermath. In some cases, problems had been reported and the utility was investigating before an explosion. In others, consumers had smelled gas but not reported it. In some cases, there were problems with the pipe installation. In others, pipes had been damaged. Natural Gas and Propane Fires, Explosions and Leaks Estimates and Incident Descriptions, 10/18 1 NFPA Research, Quincy, MA Gas Leaks in or on Home Properties Reported to Local Fire Departments Between the years of 2012 and 2016 local fire departments responded to an estimated 125,000 gas leaks (natural gas or LPG), in or on home properties per year. (This number also excludes gas odors with no source found). Home properties include one- and two-family homes, including manufactured homes, and apartments and other multi-family housing. There is no further detail on the type of gas (natural vs. LPG) that was detected or from where the leak came. Leaks could come from gas line piping, from grills or grill cylinders, or other sources. Over the past decade there seems to be an upward trend in these types of incidents. Gas Leaks in Home Properties by Year Year Gas Leak Incidents in Home Properties 2007 100,000 2008 103,500 2009 105,500 2010 111,000 2011 106,000 2012 105,500 2013 109,000 2014 125,500 2015 143,500 2016 141,000 2012-2016 annual average 125,000 Information is based on National Fire Incident Reporting System and NFPA’s Annual Fire Experience Survey. Incidents are NFIRS Incident Type Code 412 - Gas leak (natural gas or LPG). Excludes gas odors with no source found (671). Natural Gas and Propane Fires, Explosions and Leaks Estimates and Incident Descriptions, 10/18 2 NFPA Research, Quincy, MA Home Structure Fires that Began with the Ignition of Natural Gas: 2012-2016 Local fire departments responded to an estimated average of 4,200 U.S. home structure fires per year that started with the ignition of natural gas. These fires caused an average of 40 civilian deaths, 140 civilian injuries, and $54 million in direct property damage per year. Homes include 1- or 2- family homes, including manufactured housing, and apartments or other multi- family housing. Leaks or breaks were factors in 20% of the fires and 54% of the deaths. Other types of mechanical failures or malfunctions, including worn out parts, failures of controls, and unclassified mechanical failures or malfunctions, were factors in 27% of the fires and 3% of the deaths. Some type of operating equipment ignited the natural gas in 58% of these fires and 32% of the deaths. Although cooking equipment was involved in 54% of the fires, it was involved in only 10% of the deaths. Heating equipment was the heat source in 35% of the fires and 41% of the deaths. The leading types of heating equipment involved in these deaths were water heaters, fixed or portable space heaters, and central heat. In almost three-quarters (73%) of the natural gas ignitions, the fire was confined to the object of origin. Extent of Fire Spread in Home Gas Fires: 2012-2016 Extended beyond building, 1% Confined to building of origin, 7% Confined to floor of origin, 2% Confined to Confined to object of origin, room of origin, 73% 16% Estimates of home natural gas fires have generally hovered between 4,200 and 4,500 from 2007 through 2016. Home Natural Gas Fires by Year 5,000 4,500 4,400 4,400 4,400 4,200 4,300 4,200 4,300 4,300 3,900 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 0 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Source: National Fire Incident Reporting System and NFPA’s fire department experience survey Natural Gas and Propane Fires, Explosions and Leaks Estimates and Incident Descriptions, 10/18 3 NFPA Research, Quincy, MA Descriptions of Natural Gas and Propane Fires and Explosions from NFPA Publications The following incident descriptions were previously published in NFPA Journal or in reports by NFPA’s Research, Data and Analytics Division. These incidents show what can happen; they should not be considered typical or statistically representative. Because NFPA actively seeks information about fatal and large loss fires, incidents in this collection are more likely to be serious. Explosion – Firefighter Fatality On September 27 at 6:30 a.m., a neighbor called 911 to report the smell of natural gas coming from a nearby single-family dwelling. The building, a two-story structure of ordinary construction, covered 800 square feet (74 square meters) of floor area. Arriving fire companies were greeted with a strong odor of mercaptan, a harmless, non-toxic, colorless gas with a pungent odor similar to rotten eggs. It is mixed with the odorless natural gas to warn of or trace leaks. They traced the leak to the basement. Twenty minutes after arrival, firefighters shut the gas off. The second level of the dwelling was being used to grow illegal marijuana and was well-sealed, providing little ventilation. A horrific explosion originated in the rear second-level bedroom approximately one hour after the initial alarm. The explosion reduced the house to rubble, sending portions of the roof through the air. One such section struck a battalion fire chief who was directing operations from the middle of the street. He was taken directly to a hospital where he died from his traumatic injuries. Six other firefighters sustained non-fatal injuries. Rita F. Fahy, Paul R. LeBlanc and Joseph L. Molis, Firefighter Fatalities in the United States-2016, Quincy, MA: NFPA, June 2017.

Load more

  18

Copy Link