EP230 Beyond Smoke and CO: The Case for Natural Gas Alarms with Marc A. Adams (July 2025)

Building HVAC Science

“Incidents drive policy. Policy drives law.” – Marc A. Adams

“You don't want to do the Scooby-Doo dance if you smell gas—evacuate and call 911.” – Marc A. Adams

“An electronic nose is a better solution than relying on your own.” – Bill Spohn

In this compelling episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, Bill Spohn and Eric Kaiser speak with Marc A. Adams, Vice President of New Cosmos USA, about natural gas safety and the innovative gas detection technologies behind the DeNova Detect brand. The conversation begins with Marc's fascinating career journey from telecom to public safety, highlighting how his expertise in machine-to-machine and IoT communications now supports life-saving initiatives in the utility space.

Marc shares sobering statistics on gas-related incidents and explains the critical need for early-warning natural gas alarms in homes, businesses, and public spaces. The discussion covers the evolution of gas detection—from basic beeping detectors to smart, battery-powered devices that communicate over wireless networks to utilities and mobile apps. The trio also explores real-world tragedies, regulatory landscapes, and how education and advocacy can bridge the awareness gap around gas safety.

The episode wraps with a call to action: gas is an essential and generally safe energy source, but detection matters. Marc encourages listeners to understand the risks, install alarms, and engage with resources like DeNovaDetect.com and PreventNaturalGasDisasters.com to stay informed and protected.

DeNova Detect: https://denovadetect.com/

Mark’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcaadams/

What to look for in a natural gas alarm: https://denovadetect.com/blogs/posts/ul-1484-standard-gas-alarm?srsltid=AfmBOorlCy9ethVYqhgle7MMGNjkxeZF77GG-pz-WFepEwBE8iJ1FoRY

www.preventnaturalgasdisasters.com

UL 1484 Standard (Natural Gas Alarm): https://explorestandards.ul.org/gas-detectors.html

NFPA715 (Installation of a Fuel Gas Alarm): https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/nfpa-715-standard-development/715

UL234 standard (CO Alarm): https://www.shopulstandards.com/ProductDetail.aspx?UniqueKey=46614

NFPA 72:

https://edufire.ir/storage/Library/elam/NFPA%2072-2019.pdf

This episode was recorded in July 2025.