Natural gas is a safe, clean and efficient fuel for both home and business use. It is used in many areas of the Newark campus for building temperature control, hot water and dining operations. Natural gas is colorless and odorless. That distinctive smell associated with gas is a chemical called mercaptan that is added to help the end users detect a leak. If you ever smell gas, take action by immediately leaving the area and calling 911 or the gas suppliers emergency phone number.
Extended Safety Message:
- If you smell gas, immediately extinguish all open flames, such as candles, cigarettes, kerosene lamps and heaters.
- Alert everyone in the area of the potential danger and evacuate the area.
- Do not touch any light switches, do not use the phone, and do not use a flashlight as you leave. Avoid any actions that could cause a spark like ringing your neighbors doorbell.
- Move a safe distance away from the area and call your natural gas delivery company, or call 911 to report the location of the natural gas odor.
- A qualified contractor should inspect your natural gas appliances and piping each year.
- Keep the area around your heater and water heater open, clear and free from stored items (such as boxes, books, flammable liquids, paints, adhesives and other flammable liquids).
- Keep your chimney and flue clean and clear from debris. A blocked chimney or flue on a natural gas furnace can emit deadly carbon monoxide buildup in your home.
- Consider installing a separate carbon monoxide detector in you home.
- Schedule an annual chimney cleaning by a professional technician.
- Keep natural gas equipment properly ventilated to ensure safe operation.
- Be sure outside vents from direct-vent appliances (such as dryers and heaters) are free from snow, ice and debris.
- Make sure your gas meter is free from snow and ice by gently clearing snow using a broom or large brush.
- If your meter is encased in ice and you experience problems with your gas service, call our gas suppliers emergency phone number immediately.
- Keep your utility meters clear of obstructions. Never attach anything to the gas meter or piping, and never tamper with natural gas lines or related equipment.
- Natural gas pipelines run buried beneath the streets and properties. In more rural areas they may be identified by yellow/black/red markers that are posted along right-of-ways.
- Your property may have utility lines including natural gas that run close to the surface. Hitting a gas line, even with just a shovel, could rupture the line and cause a leak.
- Look for spots of dead vegetation on the ground, dirt blowing or bubbles in standing water which could indicate an underground leak.
- Regardless of whether a pipeline is marked, always call Miss Utility at 811 to have underground lines located and marked.
- Call 8-1-1 (Miss Utility) BEFORE you dig.