Propane and natural gas systems are frequently of interest during a fire or an explosion investigation. Proper evaluation and testing of these systems is integral to a comprehensive investigation. Mechanical engineers performing investigations involving these systems should be familiar not only with the associated design codes and standards but also investigative documents such as NFPA 921.
Failures in piping systems can occur in either underground or aboveground propane or natural gas piping systems and cause fires or explosions. In situ evaluation and testing of these systems at the scene can provide critical evidence in determining the location, cause or significance of a leak. SAFE Labs is equipped with the proper equipment and tools to perform in situ evaluation and testing of underground and aboveground propane and natural gas piping systems to locate and quantify any leaks in the system.
After in situ evaluation and testing is complete the piping system or components of interest must be carefully handled via isolating, collecting and preserving. SAFE Labs is equipped to properly and carefully extract and preserve components of interest in a piping system for further laboratory examination and testing.
Often further testing and analysis is required to determine the exact failure mode in a piping system component (for example, corrosion, impact, catastrophic overload or fatigue failure). SAFE Labs materials laboratory has the property technology, equipment and qualified materials engineering staff to do so.
Some of the codes and standards that regulate gas piping systems and are frequently utilized in investigations include but are not limited to: the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 58 LP-Gas Code, NFPA 54 National Fuel Gas Code, the International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) and 49 CFR 191 and 192.
Propane systems incorporate tanks, containers and cylinders to store liquid and vapor propane under elevated pressures for use in the system as needed. Codes and standards regulate the design, construction, installation, use, filling, maintenance, and location of such tanks, containers and cylinders. Improper design, construction, installation, use, filling, maintenance or location can result in a failure of the containment system that subsequently results in a catastrophic fire or explosion. SAFE Labs is equipped to evaluate the propane tanks and cylinders for compliance with applicable codes and standards and determine any failure mechanisms or operational errors that caused or contributed to an incident.
Some of the codes and standards that regulate or govern propane tanks, containers and cylinders include: NFPA 58 LP-Gas Code, DOT/CFR (Department of Transportation/Code of Federal Regulation) regulations and ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) standards.
Propane is an odorless fuel gas and subsequently a warning agent (odorant, typically ethyl mercaptan) is added to it by suppliers generally prior to shipment. The purpose is to provide a mechanism for warning people of a gas leak in the system. Proper levels of odorization should be determined during an investigation where propane gas is suspected to be involved and there is a question as to whether or not a gas odor was detected or recognized. Odorants for example may have not been injected, not injected at the proper levels, been decomposed after injection, scrubbed or otherwise faded. SAFE Labs is equipped with stain tubes to ascertain odorant levels in the field for immediate results as well as proper equipment for collecting and shipping liquid propane samples for detailed chemical analysis and laboratory results.
Regulators are often referred to as the heart of the gas system as they control gas pressure and flow to the appliances and equipment in the system. Improper regulation of gas pressure and flow can result in failures in appliance or equipment gas control valves downstream of the regulator that subsequently causes a fire or explosion. For example, improper installation, maintenance, defect, foreign debris or damage can result in a regulator failure. SAFE Labs is equipped to evaluate and test for the proper operation of regulators both directly in the field or later in the lab and to determine any potential cause of failure. Field testing of regulators may include flow and flow pressure testing as well as lockup pressure testing. Laboratory analysis may include X-ray, CT-Scan, SEM and EDS analysis of components.
There are various types of gas control valves including automatic, semi-automatic and manual control valves that function to modulate, limit or isolate appliances and equipment burner assembly systems depending on the design or maintenance need. Failures in such valves can result in over-pressurization, under-pressurization or leaks in the system that may result in a fire or explosion. SAFE Labs is equipped with the technology and personnel to evaluate, test and determine failure mechanisms in gas control valves. Laboratory analysis may include X-ray, CT-Scan, SEM and EDS analysis of components.
There are many types of gas-fired appliances including, but obviously not limited to grills, ranges, ovens, gas logs, and clothes dryers. In addition to NFPA 54 National Fuel Gas Code and NFPA 58 LP-Gas Code there are a number of American National Standards Institute (ANSI) industry standards that apply to gas-fired appliances many of which are referenced in the aforementioned NFPA codes. SAFE Labs is equipped to properly examine, document and test gas-fired appliances and system components and determine the reason for any failure.
There are many types of gas equipment including but obviously not limited to fireplaces, residential, commercial and industrial water heaters, boilers, furnaces, ovens, oil heaters, and thermal processing equipment. In addition to NFPA 54 National Fuel Gas Code and NFPA 58 LP-Gas Code there are a number of American National Standards Institute (ANSI) industry standards that apply to gas-fired equipment many of which are referenced in the aforementioned NFPA codes. SAFE Labs is equipped to properly examine, document and test gas-fired equipment and components and determine the reason for any failure.
There are many applicable codes, standards and regulations that apply to propane and natural gas systems and equipment. SAFE Labs maintains a large and continuously growing library of codes, standards and regulations that we review, analyze and incorporate into each incident we investigate.