The experimental results of the measurements of the explosion pressure and rate of explosion pressure rise as a function of molar methane concentration in the mixture with air in the 40 dm(3) explosion chamber are presented. The research was aimed at determination of the explosion limits, according to the EU Standard. The influence of initial temperature of the mixture (changing in the range of 293-473 K) on the fundamental explosion parameters was also investigated. The ignition source was an induction electrical spark of the power equal to approximately 10 W. It was stated, that the increase of initial temperature of the methane-air mixture causes a significant increase of the explosion range. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.