EXO Detects Underground Danger

It started with a strange sight—bubbling groundwater just outside the offices of Blackline Safety channel partner Aegis Safety in Brisbane, Australia. After days of heavy rain, it could have easily been dismissed as a water main break. But something felt off. 

A quick-thinking Aegis staff member flagged the anomaly to CEO Scott Colhoun. Trusting his instincts, Scott stepped outside to investigate. That’s when the unmistakable scent of gas hit him. This wasn’t water. It was something far more dangerous. 

With years of experience in safety, Scott didn’t take chances. He grabbed a Blackline Safety EXO area monitor and let the technology confirm what his gut already suspected. The EXO registered 12 ppm LEL—a methane gas leak, right beneath their feet. 

Swift Response Prevents a Bigger Disaster 

Scott immediately called 000 to dispatch emergency services. The Aegis team quarantined the area while police and fire crews arrived, sealing off the street and deploying two fire trucks to secure the scene. Fortunately, it was a windy day, which helped to ventilate the gas. The leak, traced to an old steel pipe along the road, was small—but if left undetected, the outcome could have been far worse. 

The repair team arrived and spent over two hours fixing the pipe. It was a powerful reminder of the invisible risks that can exist just beneath the surface.

Gas leaks often start small and go unnoticed, especially in high-traffic or industrial areas where minor signs can be easily overlooked. But even a slow methane leak can accumulate to explosive concentrations if not properly ventilated or addressed. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an average of 125,000 residential gas leaks and 4,200 gas-ignited home fires occur each year in the U.S. alone. These numbers highlight the importance of fast, accurate gas detection to prevent minor leaks from escalating into life-threatening situations.

Aegis Safety: A Legacy of Protection 

For nearly 40 years, Aegis Safety has been a trusted name in industrial safety across Australia. Family-owned and operated, Aegis partners with Blackline Safety to deliver cutting-edge protection solutions to industries where every second matters. 

This incident was a stark reminder: having the right tools—and the right instincts—can mean the difference between a close call and a catastrophe. 

On average, a major gas leak is reported to the U.S. government every 40 hours—minor leaks can go undetected and unrepaired for years—leading to devastating consequences including environmental disasters, explosions, and death.

Can your team detect a gas leak before it becomes an emergency? If not, it’s time to talk. Contact us today. 

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