Queensland company App-Tek International says its OdaLog 6000 gas detection unit may have prevented a disaster such as the 1992 Guadalajara sewer explosion in Mexico, which killed 215 people and left 15,000 homeless.

An explosion traced to a water pipe that leaked water onto an underlying gasoline line – causing corrosion and petrol leakage that ignited the sewers – caused more than $US 75 million damage, including destruction of 11km of sewer and damage to 1600 buildings.

App-Tek co-owner and director Ross Church said the OdaLog 6000 had ready markets in Australia and around the world. Exports to New Zealand had started and the company was exploring the North American and European markets.

Able to measuring up to six gases and featuring Smart State technology, the OdaLog 6000 costs $2000-4000 depending on gas sensor range.

“One of the difficulties in producing a product for use in flammable atmospheres is the aspect of intrinsic safety design to international standards,” Church said.

“Little knowledge relating to intrinsically safe design of such instruments pre-existed in Australia prior to us creating the OdaLog 6000.”