What To Do in a Gas Emergency?

Gas is the most popular energy source in the entire world, including the UK. Using gas for heating, cooking, and hot water supply is a common feature worldwide. It is used for domestic, commercial, business, and industrial purposes.

Gas is considered safer and environmentally friendly than conventional fuels like coal and oil. Despite that, gas cannot be rated as a zero-risk fuel. It can be hazardous when a faulty gas appliance starts generating harmful carbon monoxide, which causes carbon monoxide poisoning. But the most serious threat is a gas leak, which may cause a fire or explosion. They say, “Gas is safe when confined within the pipework.” That means the danger starts when it starts leaking. A gas leak may start from a damaged or rusted pipe, loose joint, or connection. It may also leak out of a faulty gas appliance.

Usually, using gas is relatively safe if the gas safety protocols are strictly followed. Violating these protocols may result in carbon monoxide poisoning, fire, or explosion. Any such happening in homes, businesses, or industries is termed a “gas emergency.” However, the most commonly known gas emergency is “gas leakage.”

Gas Emergency

Generally, a gas emergency refers to a gas leak, which is not restricted to that. Several other happenings are also considered a gas emergency. However, a gas leak is one of the most serious gas emergencies, which may result in accidental fire or even a blast or explosion. The potential risk of gas leaks might be the loss of properties and assets due to fire or explosion. Still, it is also dangerous regarding injuries to the occupants or even deaths.

Apart from a leak, the following situations are also recognized as gas emergencies in a broader sense:

• Abnormal gas pressure can be guessed in the case of a very high or low flame. 
• An abnormal smell around the gas appliances or pipes, usually like a rotten egg or sulfur.
• A fault in a gas appliance may keep it on despite shutting it off, especially the heaters. 
• Consistent water leakage from boilers.
• Unusual sounds emerge from gas pipes or boilers, such as hissing or whistling. 
• Abnormal vibration of a gas boiler.
• White clouds or bubbles in standing water.
• Dead plants and vegetation without a valid reason. 

Some of the above signs are directly or indirectly related to a gas leak but significantly differ from the common signs of a gas leak. Apart from a gas leak, carbon monoxide poisoning is also a form of gas emergency. So, if any typical symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are detected, it is also a case of a gas emergency.

Common signs of carbon monoxide poisoning include the following:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Difficulty in breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Stomach disorder
• Chest pain
• Mental confusion
• Chest pain

So, if any of these symptoms are observed, it may be due to the emission and concentration of carbon monoxide, which is also a case of gas emergency. 

All the above-mentioned happenings are included in the state of an emergency of gas. However, it is important to note the most serious and most common gas emergency is the one that involves gas leakage. 

What to Do in A Gas Emergency?

Mainly, a gas emergency might be caused by a gas leak. So, the immediate solution to the problem might be the disconnection of gas supply to the entire building. But that’s not as simple as it sounds. A gas emergency is not a simple event. It involves many threats and needs to be handled carefully and prudently. 

You need to react fast when you are sure or even suspect gas is leaking somewhere in your property. If a gas leak or carbon monoxide detector is installed on your property, it would be easy to understand if there’s any gas leakage. Otherwise, the most common sign of a gas leak is the abnormal smell of rotten eggs. 

In any case, you need to take immediate steps as under:

• Disconnect the gas supply: This can be done by closing the main gas inlet valve, often installed near your home's main entrance alongside the gas meter. It is often suggested that you must be aware of the location of such important things. You must be well aware of the location of your gas meter and the main gas inlet valve. This helps a lot in case of an emergency. You also need to know how this valve is closed. Don’t panic; just shut this valve to cut the gas supply to the entire building.
• Call the Emergency Number: Always keep handy the emergency helpline provided by the gas supply company. Call the emergency helpline for assistance after cutting the gas supply to your home by closing the main gas valve. You may also need to communicate the exact location of your property, enabling them to locate your house quickly.
• Open Windows and Doors: The danger of gas leaks can be minimized by letting in the fresh air. However, closing the main gas inlet valve would work only when the gas supply is disconnected. You need to open all the windows and doors so that fresh air gets in and the possibilities of a fire or explosion are reduced. If the property faces carbon monoxide emission, opening windows and doors will also help reduce its effects. Switching on the exhaust fans can also help minimize the impact of a gas leak, but you need to avoid it, as it may result in an electric spark.
• Don’t lit a flame: When detecting a gas leak in your home, never try to ignite any burner or flame; it may cause the eruption of fire or explosion. Even a little flame can do the havoc. So, never lit a flame, in a gas emergency.
• Don’t turn on or off any electric appliance: Turning on or off any electric equipment or appliance may generate a spark. Doing so might cause an eruption of fire or explosion, in case there is an accumulation of leaked gas in any part of the home. So, ensure no one turns on or off any electric appliance.
• Never try to fix the gas leak on your own: Fixing the gas leak is a technical job. Only a gas-safe registered engineer can work on gas appliances and pipework. So, never try to fix the problem on your own. It may not help you; rather might be even more dangerous. Calling a qualified and gas-safe registered engineer to resolve the issue is highly advisable.
• Evacuate your family: If the problem of a gas leak is more serious, you may need to shift your family to a safer place until the issue is fixed and the property is declared gas-safe by the experts. This is very important for the safety of your family.

How to Avoid A Gas Emergency?

A gas leak may start anytime without a warning, as does a gas emergency. However, adhering to gas safety laws can minimize the probability of a gas emergency. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 and its subsequent amendments provide a comprehensive guideline to protect a property from the potential risks associated with gas. These regulations require the landlords to arrange an annual gas safety inspection on all the gas appliances and pipework in their properties. Accordingly, they also need to get a valid gas safety certificate for their rented-out properties to ensure the safety of the tenants.

Apart from adhering to the gas safety rules and regulations, the landlords and the tenants should also ensure regular, periodic and need-based maintenance and servicing of the gas appliances. 

Conclusion

Using gas in residential and non-residential properties is quite common. It is considered a safe energy source, but it has some potential risks, such as fire and explosion, especially in a gas leak. Any such occurrence is termed a gas emergency. As the term suggests, a gas leak is an emergency that needs a quick, fast and vigilant response by the landlords and the occupants.

The first and immediate step is to cut down the gas supply to the entire property, which can be done by closing the main gas inlet valve. The next step is to call the emergency gas help services. But the most important thing you need to do is open the doors and windows so that fresh air is allowed to enter the property. It can help to reduce the chances of a fire or explosion. One of the most important precautions is to avoid an electric spark or flame inside the affected premises.