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Gas Leak - Smell of Gas or Gas Escape

Smell Gas?

You should immediately take these steps:

  1. Ventilate the premises by opening all doors and windows.

  2. Extinguish any naked flames, do not smoke, do not strike matches.

  3. Electrical switches (including light switches) should not be operated as any spark within a switch could be a source of ignition that ignites escaping gas.

  4. You must take all reasonable steps to isolate the gas supply to prevent further escape of gas.  Shut off the gas using the ECV (Emergency Control Valve), usually located next to the Gas Meter, or for LPG it could be at the bulk tank or storage vessels.

  5. Stay away from the affected area of the premises.  Evacuation of the premises may be necessary depending on the gas concentration.

  6. Do not turn the gas on again until it’s been checked and confirmed as safe to do so.

  7. Contact the relevant ESP (Emergency Service Provider), which for England, Wales and Scotland and for Natural Gas is Cadent, their number is 0800 111 999.  For LPG, call the phone number on the bulk storage vessel or meter.

  8. Where advised by the attending emergency operative, schedule a suitably qualified engineer to fix the appliance and check it’s safe.  The engineer dealing with the leak must be qualified to work on every type of appliance in the property, as all such appliances need to be checked and confirmed as safe.

If you’re feeling unwell, get fresh air immediately, thereafter visit your GP or hospital and let them know you may have been exposed to carbon monoxide.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) detector activated?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is typically the result of incomplete combustion, which can be caused by poorly fitted or ill maintained appliances.  If you’re worried, arrange for a suitably qualified engineer to check it’s safe.

Who can check for a Gas leak?

Either the attending emergency operative, or a suitably qualified engineer.  Albeit the emergency operative will not repair pipework or appliances within your property as that’s not their responsibility, safety is paramount and that’s their primary focus.

What will the Engineer do?

A suitably qualified engineer can trace and repair a gas leak within your property.  However, the engineer dealing with the leak must be qualified to work on every type of appliance within the property, as all such appliances need to be checked and confirmed as safe.

If a smell of gas is reported and the installation is tight (not leaking), it may be attributable to one or more of the following, each of which should either be eliminated or confirmed as the cause, as applicable:
  • If the smell of gas is only noticed when an appliance is operating, it may be that the gas escape is downstream of the appliance control tap(s).
  • It may not actually be a gas escape, the smell could result from the products of combustion.
  • It may be that the smell is from an extraneous source, which is being mistaken for the smell of gas.
  • Gas may be migrating from a leak or escape in an adjoining property.
  • Gas may be migrating from a leak or escape that's external to the property, such as from a service or main.
  • Naturally occurring methane or other gasses may be being smelled or detected.
  • If the cause of the smell cannot be determined and thereafter resolved, the Emergency Service Provider shall be contacted.
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