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Natural gas, also known as methane, and propane gas, also called liquefied-petroleum (LP) gas, are efficient and reliable fuels used by millions of homeowners in North America. Natural gas is distributed through an underground network of supply pipes to which the main gas supply pipe of a home is connected; the main shutoff valve controlling the flow of gas into the supply pipes inside the home is usually located near the gas meter, outdoors or in the basement, utility room or garage. Propane is delivered by truck and stored in a tank or cylinder above or below the ground outside a home; the main shutoff valve controlling the flow of gas into the supply pipes inside the home is usually located under a hinged cover on the tank or cylinder. Each appliance that uses gas also has its own shutoff valve located near it. Tag the main gas shutoff valve and the shutoff valve for each appliance for easy identification in the event of an emergency. Both natural gas and propane gas are colorless and odorless in their natural state; a sulphur-based chemical is commercially added to give them a strong odor similar to rotten eggs, enabling any leak to be easily detected. Make sure you and your family members are familiar with the distinctive odor of gas; as an added precaution, install a gas detector near each gas appliance. If you detect a strong odor of gas, take action quickly. Caution: A spark from lighting a match, turning a switch on or off, or even picking up a telephone receiver can set off an explosion or cause a fire; leave the house immediately and call the gas company or the fire department from the home of a neighbor. Carbon monoxide, another colorless and odorless gas, is produced when a gas burner has inadequate air supply for proper combustion. To guard against carbon monoxide poisoning, install a carbon monoxide detector and have each gas appliance serviced professionally at least once annually. Many gas companies and fire departments will measure the level of carbon monoxide in your house, The Troubleshooting Guide lists quick-action steps to take in the event of an emergency; some involve routine techniques for relighting a pilot. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for the appliance; in some instances, instructions for relighting the pilot may be found on a label of the appliance. Don’t attempt to relight a pilot with electrical ignition. Caution: If you detect a strong odor of gas, don’t attempt to relight the pilot; leave the house immediately and call the gas company or the fire department from the home of a neighbor. The list of Safety Tips at right provides basic precautions to follow in helping you and your family live safely with gas. When in doubt about your ability to handle an emergency, don’t hesitate to call for help. Post the telephone number for the gas company and the fire department near the telephone; even in non-emergency situations, qualified professionals can answer questions about the safety of your gas system. --- SAFETY TIPS 1. Locate and tag the main gas shutoff valve and the shutoff valve for each gas appliance; in the event of an emergency, you will want anyone to be able to find them quickly. 2. Natural gas and propane gas are treated with a sulphur based chemical to give them a strong odor similar to rotten eggs. Make sure that you and your family members are familiar with the distinctive odor of gas; as an added precaution, install a gas detector near each appliance. 3. If you return home and detect the odor of gas, don’t enter the house; call the gas company or the fire department immediately from the home of a neighbor. 4. If you detect the odor of gas, don’t use any electrical switch or outlet, light a match or use the telephone-a spark could cause an explosion or a fire. Leave the house immediately, then call the gas company or the fire department from the home of a neighbor. 5. Call the gas company to locate underground gas supply pipes before excavating on your property or building an addition to your home. 6. Use only gas appliances approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as the American Gas Association or Canadian Gas Association; have older appliances approved by your gas supplier. 7. Always read the manufacturer's instructions for the appliance before attempting to light its pilot; follow the instructions care fully. In some instances, instructions for relighting the pilot are printed on a label of the appliance. 8. Don’t attempt to relight the pilot of an appliance with electrical ignition; if there is any problem with the pilot, shut off the gas supply to the appliance (92) and have it professionally serviced as soon as possible. 9. Keep gas appliances clean and have them serviced regularly; to prevent rusting-causing condensation inside a gas furnace, turn off the pilot at the end of each heating season. 10. Make sure that each gas appliance has adequate air supply for proper combustion; check that the burner assembly on a gas water heater and a gas furnace is properly vented. 11. Install a carbon monoxide detector (44) or have your home tested for the presence of carbon monoxide. 12. Store paints, solvents and other flammable materials away from gas appliances. Never apply contact cement, paint stripper or any other flammable substance near a gas appliance; a buildup of fumes can trigger an explosion. 13 Keep at least one fire extinguisher rated ABC in your home and know how to use it in the event of a fire. 14. Don’t apply excessive force or use a tool to set any control on a gas appliance; any built-in safety mechanism is sensitive and can be easily damaged. 15. Never use a gas range to heat the house; the amount of oxygen consumed can create a health hazard. --- TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE SYMPTOM [ Strong gas odor Faint gas odor; not localized near an appliance Faint gas odor; localized near an appliance Exposure to carbon monoxide: headache, dizziness, faintness or nausea near gas No gas appliance works Range does not work; no heat from stove or oven No hot water No heat--pilot does not light and stay lit; Underground gas pipe broken during excavation] PROCEDURE [ Don’t use any switch, outlet or telephone or light any flame Leave house immediately and call gas company or fire department from home of neighbor Don’t use any switch, outlet or telephone or light any flame Shut off main gas supply (92); propane (93) Ventilate room (93) If propane level of tank or cylinder low, call for delivery When gas odor dissipates, restore gas supply and relight pilots (94) If gas odor persists, leave house and call gas company or fire department from home of neighbor Don’t use any switch, outlet or telephone or light any flame Shut off gas supply to appliance (92) Ventilate room (93) If gas odor persists, shut off main gas supply (92); propane (93) If propane level of tank or cylinder low, call for delivery When gas odor dissipates, restore gas supply and relight pilots (94) If gas odor persists, leave house and call gas company or fire department from home of neighbor Leave house immediately and treat exposure to carbon monoxide. Call gas company or fire department from home of neighbor; also call for medical help Have someone ventilate room (93) and shut off main gas supply (92); propane (93) Shut off main gas supply (92); propane (93) if propane level of tank or cylinder low, call for delivery if gas odor detected, ventilate room (93) If gas odor persists, leave house and call gas company or fire department from home of neighbor Re-light stove or oven pilot (94); if electrical ignition, reset circuit breaker or replace fuse (83) If problem persists, shut off gas supply to range (92) If gas odor detected, ventilate room (93) and shut oft main gas supply (92); propane (93) If propane level of tank or cylinder low, shut oft main gas supply (93) and call for delivery If gas odor persists, leave house and call gas company or fire department from home of neighbor Relight water heater pilot (94); it electrical ignition, reset circuit breaker or replace fuse (83) if problem persists, shut off gas supply to water heater. If gas odor detected, ventilate room (93) and shut off main gas supply (92); propane (93) If propane level of tank or cylinder low, shut off main gas supply (93) and call for delivery if gas odor persists, leave house and call gas company or fire department from home of neighbor Relight furnace pilot (94); if electrical ignition, reset circuit breaker or replace fuse (83) If problem persists, shut off gas supply to furnace (92) If gas odor detected, ventilate room (93) and shut off main gas supply (92); propane (93) if propane level of tank or cylinder low, shut off main gas supply (93) and call for delivery If gas odor persists, leave house and call gas company or fire department from home of neighbor Shut off gas supply to appliance (92) if gas odor detected, ventilate room (93) and shut off main gas supply (92); propane (93) If propane level of tank or cylinder low, shut oft main gas supply (93) and call for delivery If gas odor persists, leave house and call gas company or fire department from home of neighbor Extinguish any flame and don’t light any flame Leave area and warn others to stay away Call gas company or fire department immediately.] 92a--- SHU111NG OFF THE MAIN GAS SUPPLY Turning off the main gas supply. Locate the main shutoff valve on the main gas supply pipe for the house; usually it’s found at the entry point of the main gas supply pipe near the gas meter, outdoors or in the basement, utility room or garage. To shut off the gas supply, close the valve using adjustable pliers or a wrench, turning the handle perpendicular to the supply pipe . To restore the gas supply, open the valve by turning the handle parallel to the supply pipe; then, relight each pilot (94). Tag the valve for easy identification in the event of a future emergency. 92b--- SHUTTING OFF THE GAS SUPPLY TO AN APPLIANCE Turning off the gas supply to an appliance. Read the manufacturer's instructions for the appliance before attempting to shut off its gas supply. Locate the shutoff valve on the supply pipe to the appliance and close it by turning the handle perpendicular to the supply pipe; the shutoff valve is usually found near a water heater or a furnace (above, center) or on the connector at the end of the flexible supply pipe on a range . If there is no shutoff valve on the supply pipe to the appliance, shut off the main gas supply (step above) or the main propane gas supply. To restore the gas supply to the appliance, open the valve by turning the handle parallel to the supply pipe; then, relight each pilot (94). Tag the valve for easy identification in the event of a future emergency. Furnace 93a--- GE111NG FRESH AIR Ventilating a gas-filled room. Caution: Don’t use any electrical switch, outlet or telephone or light any flame-a spark could ignite the gas. If there is a strong odor of gas, leave the house immediately and call the gas company or the fire department. If there is a faint odor of gas near an appliance, turn oft the gas supply to it (92). Ventilate the room to reduce the concentration of gas, opening each window and door. When the gas is fully dissipated, restore the gas supply to the appliance and relight each pilot (94). As a safety measure, install a gas detector near each gas appliance. Treating exposure to carbon monoxide gas. Improper combustion of gas produces carbon monoxide which can cause headache, dizziness, faintness, nausea and, in extreme circumstances, unconsciousness. At the first sign of any symptom indicating possible exposure to carbon monoxide, leave the house immediately and get fresh air. Loosen your clothing at the waist, chest and neck. If you feel faint, sit with your head lowered between your knees . Don’t re-enter the house. Have someone call the gas company or the fire department immediately. As a preventive measure, install a carbon monoxide detector (44). --- PROPANE GAS Using propane gas safely. Propane gas stored as a liquid under pressure in a tank or a cylinder can be used to fuel indoor gas appliances and outdoor gas barbecues. Propane is odor less in its natural state; a sulphur-based chemical is added commercially to give it a strong odor similar to rotten eggs, enabling any leak to be easily detected. Make sure all the members of your family are familiar with the distinctive odor of propane. A safe and efficient fuel when used properly, propane can be dangerous if it’s not handled carefully; follow the list of pre cautions presented below to prevent an emergency: • If you have a poor sense of smell, install a gas detector (44) near the base of each appliance that uses propane. • Never store or set up a propane cylinder indoors; keep it outdoors at least 10 feet from the house and other structures in an upright position away from sources of heat. • If you disconnect a propane cylinder, seal off the fuel pipe with a plug to prevent any propane from leaking if the shutoff valve is accidentally opened. • Don’t light any flame or smoke near the location of a propane tank or cylinder. • Use only a government-approved propane tank or cylinder that is in good condition. Have your propane tank or cylinder inspected annually by your propane supplier and replace it if it’s rusted dented or otherwise damaged. --- 93c-- Shutting off the main propane gas supply. Locate the main shutoff valve, usually found under a hinged cover on the propane tank or cylinder; it you cannot locate it, call your propane supplier. To shut oft the supply of propane, close the valve by turning the handle fully clock wise . To restore the supply of propane, open the valve by turning the handle fully counterclockwise; then, relight each pilot (94). Tag the valve for easy identification in the event of a future emergency. 94ab--- RE-LIGHTING A PILOT Re-lighting a stove pilot. Read the manufacturer's instructions for the range before relighting the stove pilots; don’t attempt to relight a pilot with electrical ignition. Turn off each range control and ventilate the room, if necessary (93). Remove the burner grates, then grasp the cooktop by its front edge or the front burner wells and lift it up, propping it open with the support rod . Locate each pilot opening, usually between two burners, and hold a lighted match near it . If the pilot does not light and stay lit, clean it with a wooden toothpick. Fit the toothpick into the pilot opening and gently move it up and down; be careful not to enlarge or deform the pilot opening. Then, relight the pilot; if it still does not light and stay lit, shut off the gas sup ply to the range (92). To reassemble the range, lift the cooktop off its support rod, lower it slowly into place to avoid blowing out any pilot and reinstall the burner grates. 94cd--- Relighting an oven pilot. Read the manufacturer's instructions for the range before relighting the oven pilot; don’t attempt to relight a pilot with electrical ignition. Turn off each range control and ventilate the room, if necessary (93). Open the broiler drawer and reach through the access hole at the back of the broiler with a lighted match, holding it near the tip of the pilot on the burner assembly . If you cannot reach through the access hole with a match or there is no access hole, open the oven door and lift out the oven bottom; slide it out from under any tabs or loosen any screws holding it and lift it out. If there is a burner plate in the way, unscrew its wing nut and lift it out. Then, hold a lighted match near the tip of the pilot on the burner assembly (inset); on an older range, you may also need to depress a pilot ignition button on the side of the oven or on the oven thermostat. If the pilot does not light and stay lit, shut off the gas supply to the range (92). To reassemble the range, reinstall the burner plate and the oven bottom. 95ab--- Re-lighting a water heater pilot. Read the manufacturer's instructions water heater before relighting the pilot; don’t attempt to relight pilot with electrical ignition. Ventilate the room, if necessary (93), en remove each access panel from the water heater, lifting it vertically sliding it horizontally. Turn the temperature control dial its lowest setting and the gas control knob to OFF. Then, turn the gas control knob to PILOT, hold a lighted match or twist of paper near the of the pilot on the burner assembly (inset) and depress the pilot ignition button ; if there is no pilot ignition button, depress the gas control knob. When the pilot lights, keep depressing the pilot ignition button or the gas control knob and extinguish the match or twist of paper. Release the pilot ignition button or the gas control knob after 1 minute, turn the gas control knob to ON and reset the temperature control dial. If the pilot does not light and stay lit, shut oft the gas supply to the water heater (92). To reassemble the water heater, reinstall the access panels. 95cd--- Re-lighting a furnace pilot. Read the manufacturer's instructions for furnace before relighting the pilot; don’t attempt to relight a pilot electrical ignition. Ventilate the room, if necessary, then unscrew the access panel and slide it up and off the furnace (above, if it sticks, rap it gently at the bottom. Set the gas control knob, red, to OFF. Then, set the gas control knob to PILOT, hold a match or twist of paper near the tip of the pilot on the burner as- and depress the pilot ignition button; if there is no pilot ignition button, depress the gas control knob . When the pilot lights, keep depressing the pilot ignition button or the gas control knob and extinguish the match or twist of paper. Release the pilot ignition button or the gas control knob after 30 seconds and turn the gas control knob to ON. If the pilot goes out, repeat the procedure, depressing the pilot ignition button or the gas control knob for 1 minute. If the pilot does not light and stay lit, shut off the gas supply to the furnace. To reassemble the furnace, reinstall the access panel. Previous: Electricity |