After recent home explosions, new bill pushes for mandatory explosive gas detectors in houses and other dwellings

After life-threatening gas explosions recently demolished homes in Stafford Township, Point Pleasant Beach and Seaside Heights, state Sen. Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Dave Wolfe and Greg McGuckin of the 10th Legislative District have introduced legislation requiring explosive gas detectors to be installed in homes and other lodgings. The detectors warn residents of the presence of dangerous amounts of methane or propane gas in the air. Methane is the main element of natural gas used to fuel many furnaces, hot water heaters, fireplaces, stoves and ovens.

On Feb. 24, an Oak Avenue home in the Ceder Run neighborhood of Stafford exploded due to a leak from a natural gas main into the house’s basement, injuring 15 people. Less than a week later, on March 2, a gas leak caused a home in Point Pleasant Beach to blow up, severely burning the occupant. Both homes were completely destroyed.

This past Saturday, March 14, a Seaside Heights home explosion related to a natural gas leak hospitalized a 26-year-old woman. The residence has been deemed uninhabitable, and an investigation is ongoing, authorities said.

“While the use of natural gas and propane for heating and cooking in our homes is extremely safe, the recent house explosions in Point Pleasant Beach and Stafford Township have reminded us that gas leaks do pose some risk,” Holzapfel stated in a press release. “We can lower the risk of gas leaks by modeling our response on the successful rollout of carbon monoxide detectors that are now present in nearly every home.”

Under the proposed legislation, the new requirement for the use of explosive gas detectors would reflect existing requirements for carbon monoxide detectors. The legislation allows for the use of a single device that can detect both carbon monoxide and explosive gases to fulfill both requirements.

According to the release, combination units that detect both carbon monoxide and explosive gases can be obtained for just $40.

“Affordable explosive gas sensors are now widely available at most home improvement stores,” Wolfe said. “We’d like to see them in every home alongside smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.”

The legislation would require one- and two-family homes to be inspected for the existence of an explosive gas sensor prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy. There would be no need to install a gas detector if it has been concluded that no possible explosive gas risk exists.

Likewise, every unit in a hotel or multiple dwelling would be required to have explosive gas detectors installed.

“The cost of installing explosive gas detectors is negligible, but the benefit is substantial,” added McGuckin. “Their widespread use will help to warn residents and allow for gas leaks to be fixed before people are hurt and property damaged.”

— Kelley Anne Essinger


This article was published in The SandPaper.