What do you do if you smell gas in your home?
What do you do if you smell gas in the street?
Install Safely
Maintain regularly
How to turn your Gas off
Natural Gas is a very safe household energy to use, although as with electricity and other types of energy there are some safety issues that you should be aware of. Please read this leaflet carefully, and keep it handy just in case you should ever need to follow and of the safety procedures outlined.
Remember Natural Gas is not poisonous. When Natural Gas burns it gives off water vapour and carbon dioxide and this is a similar mixture of gases that are exhaled when you breathe out.
Don’t:
Do:
If you smell gas out in the street, then contact us on 0800 567 222 and give us the location where you could smell the gas. We will then contact the appropriate network or metering operator in your area.
Always get a Craftsman Gasfitter to install your gas appliances or alter your gas supply. Ask to see their current licence. A Craftsman Gasfitter will ensure that your gas appliance or installation is connected correctly, has adequate ventilation, is appropriately flued and is in good working order.
Make sure your Craftsman Gasfitter gives you a Gas Certification to confirm the work was completed safely and in accordance with the relevant regulations and manufacturer’s instructions. A certificate is required for any new gas installations or alterations done in your home.
If you haven’t got a certificate, request one from the Craftsman Gasfitter or company that carried out the work. Alternatively, request a copy from the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board for a small fee. The board can also tell you if your Gasfitter has a current licence.
The homeowner is responsible for ensuring that gas appliances and installations are maintained to the standard certified by the Craftsman Gasfitter when installed. It is recommended that you have your gas appliances serviced in line with the manufacturer’s instruction. Alternatively, as a minimum your Natural Gas appliances should be serviced once a year.
To turn gas OFF move the lever a quarter turn clockwise
(eg. 12 – 3 o’clock).
Figure 1
If the gas valve is like the one shown in Figure 2 below turn the valve a quarter turn clockwise.
Figure 2
Don’t:
• Operate any electrical switches either on or off.
• Use your phone or cellphone in any area you think there could be a gas leak.
• Try to track the gas leak yourself with a naked flame.
Do:
• Turn off all gas appliances if you suspect that the smell of gas is because of a gas leak in your home. Extinguish all cigarettes, matches and candles.
• Open doors and windows to let the gas escape and keep them open until the leak has been stopped.
• Shut off the gas supply to your home by turning the main gas valve off. The valve is located near the gas meter. If you’re unsure how to do this, follow the instructions overleaf or contact us for advice.
Note:To turn off your gas supply refer to the instructions overleaf. Text from Electricity & Gas Safety booklets attached – can you also add the booklets to the site as PDF downloads.
If you smell gas in the street contact us and give us the location where you can smell the gas. We will then contact the appropriate network or meter operator in your area.
Always use a Craftsman Gasfitter to install your gas appliances or alter your gas installation. Ask to see their current licence. A Craftsman Gasfitter will ensure that your gas appliance or installation is connected correctly, has adequate ventilation, is appropriately flued and is in good working order. Make sure your Craftsman Gasfitter gives you a Gas Certificate to
confirm that the work was completed safely and in accordance with the relevant regulations and manufacturer’s instructions.
A certificate is required for all gas installations or alterations. If you do not have a certificate, you can request one from the Craftsman Gasfitter or company that carried out the work. Alternatively, for a small fee the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board can provide you with a copy. The Board can also advise you if your Gasfitter has a current licence. You can also obtain this information by visiting the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board website at www.pgdb.org.nz
Contact with electricity can cause a range of injuries including burns, breathing failure and heart failure. The extent of the injuries will depend on the strength of the voltage and current, how long the person was exposed to it and how well the person was insulated between the electricity source and the ground (for example, whether they were standing on a wooden surface or wearing rubber soled shoes).
Important: If the injured person is still in contact with a live electrical source do not touch them. First switch the power off, or if this is not possible, use a wooden broom handle to push
them free.
Call an ambulance immediately Dial 111
NETWORK OPERATORS
Powerco Limited 0800 27 27 27
(Taranaki, Wanganui and Manawatu)
Electra Limited 0800 567 876
(Horowhenua)
Unison Networks Limited 0800 286 476
(Central Hawkes Bay)
Wellington Electricity 0800 248 148
(Wellington)
Wanganui Gas 06 349 0909
Energy Direct NZ 0800 567 222