Gas Safety Awarness
Gas Safety – Who is responsible?
Gas distributors are responsible for repairing gas leaks that occur on your gas meter or the gas pipes from your street to the gas meter.
Homeowners are responsible for maintaining gas appliances, flues/ducts, and gas pipes throughout the house to the gas meter.
Gas Emergencies:
The main risks of gas leaks are fires and explosions. Gas leaks can also lead to breathing difficulties if enough gas accumulates within an enclosed space.
If you smell a gas leak, take action quickly - turn off your gas appliances and call your gas emergency number.
You can find your gas distributor emergency number on your bill. See the table below for distributor information.
Your gas distributor
Find out who distributes gas to your area below or here
| State | Distributor | Contact Details |
| New South Wales | Jemena Gas Networks |
131 909 www,jemena.com.au |
| Australian Gas Networks |
1800 427 532 |
|
| Queensland |
APT All Gas & Australian Gas Networks QLD
|
1800 427 532 |
| South Australia | Australian Gas Networks |
1800 427 532 |
| Victoria | Australian Gas Networks |
1800 427 532 |
| Ausnet Services |
136 707 www,ausnetservices.com.au |
|
| Multinet |
132 691 www.multinetgas.com.au |
In case of a major gas leak or if you feel your life or property is at risk, call 000 immediately.
Before you start any excavation, irrespective of size, contact ‘Before you Dig Australia’ at 1100 or via https://www.1100.com.au
Gas Safety Tips - Information about natural gas supply at your premises
The information on this page has been developed to help protect you and your premises around natural gas.
Natural Gas is a reliable, safe, effective, and economical source of energy, but as with all sources of power it does need to be treated with respect.
Natural Gas is an odourless, colourless, and tasteless fossil fuel consisting mainly of methane CH4, which is the simplest hydrocarbon. It is formed by decomposing organic materials trapped in porous rock beneath the surface of the earth.
To help detect gas, a chemical is added before it is piped to your premises so that we can smell it. Natural gas is lighter than air, so it can rise in a room if allowed to escape from a fitting or burner; without adequate ventilation, this can lead to asphyxiation. The odorant is therefore added to allow quick detection in these instances so that you can take immediate action to ensure your safety.
Gas appliances:
To make sure of the safety of your gas appliances, only use appliances that have been approved and certified by a recognised Australian organisation.
The below organisations maintain online databases of certification numbers. Compare the certification number on the compliance plate or sticker of your appliance with the online database to ensure the appliance is certified as safe for use.
These organisations undertake safety testing and certification:
- Australian Gas Association (AGA)
- SAI Global
- International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO)
- Global-Mark
- BSI
Gas Certificate labels and markings – what to look for:
Gas fitter’s license requirements for gas installations and infrastructure.
You must use a licensed gas fitter for any work after the gas meter outlet up to and including:
- the gas appliance
- The pipework from the gas meter to the appliance
- any flues and ducts.
- Converting an appliance to use an alternative gas, i.e., from LPG to natural gas or vice versa, providing the appliance is certified for such a conversion.
To check if your gas fitter’s South Australian licence is current or if conditions apply, you can use the Consumer and Business Services Occupational Public Register by clicking here and entering their details.
Gas fitters must give you a gas certificate of compliance for any work they do other than general repairs. You should keep your certificates of compliance and invoices for the work as proof that the work was done correctly.
What to do when there is a gas leak
If you believe the gas leak is outside the premises, either in the street or between the street and your gas meter: report the leak immediately on 1800 GAS LEAK (1800 427 532) immediately and:
| 1 | Give an accurate description of the location and details of the gas leak |
| 2 | Turn off or remove any source of ignition such as naked flames, cigarettes, mobile devices, and electrical equipment |
| 3 | Turn off the gas supply at the gas meter if accessible and safe to do so |
| 4 | DO NOT attempt to extinguish flames yourself |
If you believe the gas leak is located after the gas meter, on the outlet pipe connected to your gas appliances, or on the appliance, please contact a licensed gas fitter.
If you smell gas inside your building:
| 1 | Extinguishing any open flames |
| 2 | Go outside immediately, opening doors and windows for ventilation |
| 3 | Locate and turn off the gas and electricity supply to the home if the meters are outside and it’s safe for you to do so. |
| 4 | Contact your licensed gas fitter to investigate and do not re-enter the premises until they have confirmed it is safe |
DO NOT look for a gas leak with a naked flame or any other ignition source.
DO NOT operate electrical equipment near a gas leak.
DO NOT turn on or switch off any lights or appliances, use a telephone, or use a flashlight, as these risk causing a spark that could ignite a gas fire.
DO NOT smoke, light matches, use a cigarette lighter, or use E-cigarettes inside or while on the property.
Gas Safety Tips
- Never store flammable liquids or fuels including rags, paper and rubbish near the gas meter.
- Only use appliances for their purpose, e.g. never use a gas cooker or oven as a room heater.
- Do not attempt to fix, alter, or modify your gas meter or gas inlet pipe.
- Never leave a heater unattended
- Do not allow children to operate appliances without supervision.
- If you suspect your appliance may not be operating properly, turn it off and call a licensed gas fitter.
Turn off your gas supply and call a licensed gas fitter immediately if you see:
- a gas appliance burning incorrectly - e.g., yellow, or uneven flames, pungent odours, black carbon soot, appliance going out regularly.
- visible damage to gas pipes.
Turning gas supply off and on.
Before turning your gas supply off or on, make sure you first turn off all gas appliances and pilot lights in your home, e.g., gas cooking appliances, heaters, and water heaters. If you have a gas water heater, turn the water supply tap off, too.
Locate your gas meter – it may be in a metal box on the side of your house, or in your front garden under a plastic cover.
Your gas meter - Turning gas supply off and on.
Before turning your gas supply off or on, make sure you first turn off all gas appliances and pilot lights in your home, e.g., gas cooking appliances, heaters, and water heaters. If you have a gas water heater, turn the water supply tap off, too.
Locate your gas meter – it may be in a metal box on the side of your house, or in your front garden under a plastic cover.
To turn off the gas supply in your home, turn the supply valve tap to the horizontal off position (at a right angle to the pipe). To turn it on, turn the supply valve tap to the vertical on position (in line with the pipe).
If you don't know where your gas meter or supply valve is, contact your gas provider.
Bushfire Safety
If a bushfire is threatening your home, you should turn your gas supply off whether you are staying at the property or not.
Keep the area around the gas meter clear of obstructions and combustible materials.
After a bushfire
If your home has been affected by a bushfire, don’t turn on the gas supply until a licensed gas fitter has tested your gas supply and confirmed there are no gas leaks or damage to your gas outlet, piping, or gas appliances.
To request a copy of this plan please contact via chat or email us at customerservice@discoverenergy.com.au or give us a call on 1300 658 519.
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