CNIguard Case StudiesCase Studies

Sentir in action

Explosive gas and mercaptan detection 

Reducing the risk of explosions and service interruption by detecting dangerous gases before and after events 

July 2022, New England utility company is facing over $333,000 in penalties from OSHA for a manhole explosion that killed one worker. 

May-June 2022, multiple manhole explosions rocked downtown Boston, MA, resulting in evacuations, street closures, property damage and injury. 

Sept-Nov 2021, a contractor in Syracuse, NY was injured in a manhole explosion that left 1,300 people without power. A month later in Boston, MA, firefighters and crews were sent to investigate a manhole explosion that sent the manhole cover flying into the air. The following November in Providence, RI, burning secondary cables caused several exploding manhole covers in the downtown area. 

Sentir detected significant levels of methane with the presence of methyl mercaptan in the area.

Sentir unit detecting methane leak

Customer was alerted of hazardous conditions by SensorCore automated monitoring.

Monitoring screen

Field crew searched the area around the structure for a gas leak, which was found 20 feet from the device 

Sentir detecting gas leak from a neighboring structure
  • Reduce risk of injuries to public through proactive response
  • Improve maintenance by identifying high risk locations

The risks from manhole events can be reduced or prevented with our technology

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Jonathan Taylor
VP Customer Delivery

Jonathan is an engineer and project executive with a combined 15 years of experience in utility, manufacturing, deploying, and implementing solutions utility and heavy industrial sectors. He was previously with Osmose Utility Services and Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, after starting his career within Aerospace and Pulp and Paper. Jonathan holds an Executive Leadership Certification and a BSME from the Georgia Tech, as well as an active Project Management Professional license from PMI.


Jens Sterum

VP Business Development

Jens has over three decades of experience in international business development, specializing in complex technology sales. Spanning FMCG, logistics, security and utilities, his experience traverses EMEA, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas. Prior to joining CNIguard in the USA, he served as MD for a specialized company in industrial automation, having secured and managed a highly successful telemetry framework for the largest water utility in the UK . Jens has a BS in International Economics from Duke University and MS in Management and Organizational Development from University of Aalborg, Denmark.

Jim Darroch
Chief Technology Officer

Jim is a software development executive with 30 years’ experience in designing software and data solutions for Data/Telecoms, Industrial and IoT markets – with an emphasis on reliability, high availability, safety, and security. He has experience in building and leading software teams on a global scale for multiple large corporations (notably HP, Emerson and Honeywell) as well as several small/start-ups; establishing teams to quickly deliver innovative Software solutions. Jim holds a B.Sc. with First Class Honours in Computer Science from Strathclyde University.

Stephen Rose
Chief Financial Officer

30 years qualified accountant with industry based board level experience in the UK, Europe and China. Stephen is a commercially focused accountant having been group financial director for Eaglemoss Publications, an international publishing group for over 20 years. Other roles include management accountant for Porcelanosa and a consultancy role for fashion group, Jumper Retail.

Chris Quire
Chief Executive Officer

Chris is an engineer and technology executive with over 30 years of global experience in designing, manufacturing, deploying, and supporting wireless solutions in the utility and consumer electronics sectors. He was previously with Landis+Gyr and Comverge, after starting his career with Panasonic. Chris holds a MBA from Georgia State and a BEE from the Georgia Tech, as well as two patents.

Jason Wilson
Chief Commercial Officer

Jason is a seasoned sales and business development leader with over 30 years of global experience in high tech and wireless industrial internet of things with a focus on Smart Grid and Digital Oilfield solutions. He was previously with On-Ramp Wireless after starting his career in the United States Air Force. Jason has a Master of Science in Systems Management from the University of Southern California and a Bachelors in Astronautical Engineering from the US Air Force Academy.