DIY dryer installation explosion

[mtfallsmikey]

All you have to do is leave the gas valve open, I guess...


http://www.wtop.com/?nid=52&sid=2369713

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Actually the gas was leaking. Fortunately for us electricity is a bit more forgiving. Of course it can hurt you but there is little room for error with gas.

 

[mtfallsmikey]

Sure was leaking! When I got my gas fitter's license, we studied a chart/table that showed how long it would take for a gas leak to fill up a certain amount of square footage to an explosive level. There is a great difference in the rate with a 2 PSI nat. gas system vs. the (old) 1/2 PSI system. In that short amount of time between when the work was done and the explosion, it must have been a busted fitting, valve left open, etc, instead of a small leak which in some cases would not be found for days/weeks. Of course it takes a lot longer with natural gas (lighter than air) than propane. This is something that could have been prevented if the DIY'er involved would have tested the gas fittings with some soap solution. I'm surprised no one smelled the gas (odorant).

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I'm surprised no one smelled the gas (odorant).

That was my thought also. It is quite amazing they lived.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I am always amazed at how often electrical work gets blamed for fires. I was a volunteer firefighter at one time in my life and I couldn't understand why causes of fires were getting written up as electrical. If someone plugged in a wall heater next to the bed and set the sheets on fires then it was electrical. I bet the actual cause of fires from electrical work is quite small, in spite of the terrible work we find all over.

 

[sameguy]

When unknown it is electrical, you can't see it , smell it.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

When unknown it is electrical, you can't see it , smell it.

That's my point. It is unfair to blame the fire on electrical when in fact it is human error. Sure the heater is electric but......

Years ago someone did a study and found out that a very small percentage of reported electrical fires was really caused by electrical work in the walls done by electrical workers.

 

[K8MHZ]

Sure was leaking! When I got my gas fitter's license, we studied a chart/table that showed how long it would take for a gas leak to fill up a certain amount of square footage to an explosive level. There is a great difference in the rate with a 2 PSI nat. gas system vs. the (old) 1/2 PSI system. In that short amount of time between when the work was done and the explosion, it must have been a busted fitting, valve left open, etc, instead of a small leak which in some cases would not be found for days/weeks. Of course it takes a lot longer with natural gas (lighter than air) than propane. This is something that could have been prevented if the DIY'er involved would have tested the gas fittings with some soap solution. I'm surprised no one smelled the gas (odorant).

The man who lived in the home tried to replace a gas-powered dryer with an electric model before going to bed.

He may have smelled the odorant and just thought it was from disconnecting the old dryer.

 

[iwire]

Considering we don't allow link dumps and this one has nothing to do with electrical work I am closing this thread.