Gas faults and emergencies: 13 19 09
Natural gas is a reliable energy source, however, care still needs to be taken when handling it.
Since natural gas has no odour, a strong odour that smells like rotten eggs is added so you can detect it. If you smell this, call us and take the following actions:
If you smell gas inside your home
- Open nearby doors and windows for ventilation.
- Evacuate the area and turn off the gas supply (if safe to do so).
- Do not use a source of ignition such as matches or cigarette lighters.
If you smell gas outside the home
- Remove all ignition sources from the area.
- If safe to do so, turn off the gas supply.
Your natural gas supply can be shut off by turning the yellow valve lever on your meter so it runs perpendicular to the pipe. Once this is done, you should stay at least 10 metres away.
Use gas appliances safely
- Make sure gas appliances have ventilation around them.
- Never store or use flammable chemicals (including aerosols) near an operating appliance.
- Keep flammable materials, such as paper or clothing, away from appliances.
- Do not tamper with safety valves and do not use force to open taps.
- Keep gas oven and hot plates clean and do not allow fat and burned food to build up.
- Turn gas heaters off when you leave the house or go to sleep.
Gas appliance installation
Our natural gas is produced, piped, and delivered using rigorous environmental and safety standards. It is your responsibility to maintain the safety and integrity of natural gas installations in your home.
Use a licenced gas fitter to carry out maintenance and servicing work.
- After the installation the gas fitter should provide you with a certificate of compliance and lodge a copy with the relevant local inspection authority (Access Canberra in the ACT, and NSW Fair Trading in NSW).
- If any underground work needs to take place, check with Before You Dig Australia first.
Maintain gas appliances
- Each year, arrange for a qualified gas appliance service technician or gas fitter to service the appliance and retain a written report of the work undertaken.
- Keep appliances clean, ventilated, and free from obstructions.
- Check there is no evidence of the burner creating soot deposits (look for signs of discolouration on and around the appliance).
- If there is a gas hot water heater in your bathroom, disconnect the exhaust fan within the bathroom (when operating, these fans can cause flue gases to re-enter the bathroom).
- If you are renting, contact your real estate agent or property manager for gas appliance maintenance or servicing.