The TNT equivalent method compares the damage by the mass of the gas that is causing the explosion and that produces a certain energy when exploding, with the mass of equivalent TNT. The combustion energy of TNT is known and there are formulas and abacuses to determine the amount of TNT that would produce the same energy. Depending on the amount of TNT equivalent, it is possible to know the damage that will be caused at certain distances. At first, you need to know the amount of combustible gas and the it heat of combustion.