Gas Awareness and Safety

This information contains important things and the properties of natural gas you need to know to
ensure you remain safe with your gas supply and appliances at home. Please read this information
carefully.

Gas hazards include:

• Fire
• Explosion
• Asphyxiation
• Carbon monoxide poisoning

Natural gas is used in many homes for heating, cooking, and electricity generation. It contains several
compounds including methane, propane, ethane, butane and other hydrocarbon gas liquids.

Natural gas is extracted from underground and then treated to remove some of its impurities. Most
gas processing facilities have steps to remove the acid gases Hydrogen sulphide and Carbon Dioxide
(CO2) before it’s piped into your home; an odorant is also added to natural gas to assist with leak
detection.

It is important to detect gas leaks because gas is both poisonous and flammable. It has no colour and
is therefore not easily visible to the naked eye. This is why reasonable safety precautions should be
taken when using gas. More information refer to the useful link section below.

Distributors responsible for the safe supply of gas in Victoria are:

The distributor responsible for the safe supply of gas in South Australia is:

Distributors responsible for the safe supply of gas in New South Wales are:

Distributors responsible for the safe supply of gas in Queensland are:

The distributor responsible for the safe supply of gas in Australia Capital Territory is:

The distributor responsible for the safe supply of gas in Tasmania is:

Emergency action

In the event of an emergency call 000

What do I do if there’s a gas leak?

Outside the home:

If you smell gas outside your home, phone the national response centre on 03 9411 3138 immediately
and:

• Explain the situation to the trained professional as accurately as possible.
• Describe the location and details of the gas escape.
• If safe to do so, turn off or remove any ignition source (flames, cigarettes, electrical equipment).
• Turn off the gas supply at the gas meter if you can do so safely.
• If the gas has ignited, keep the area clear until emergency workers can attend.
• DO NOT try to fight the flames yourself

Inside your home:

If you smell gas inside your home, contact your licensed gas fitter to rectify the leak and:

• Turn off all gas appliances (cooker, oven, heaters, hot water service).
• Make sure to also extinguish any pilot light.
• Turn off your supply at the gas meter.
• Ventilate the area as much as possible by opening doors and windows
• Contact a gasfitter.
• Restart appliance safely after the licensed gas fitter gives the go ahead

Your gas distributor is responsible for maintaining the gas infrastructure up to the meter. The
homeowner is responsible for any gas leaks after the gas meter and ensuring gas equipment is
maintained and used safely.

Detecting, repairing, and maintaining gas infrastructure is a highly skilled job. Never attempt to tackle
this work yourself. Always use a professional licenced gas professional. Anyone who undertakes gas
fitting work must be licensed or registered under the Plumbers, Gas Fitters and Electricians Act 1995.
You can confirm the gasfitter’s identity card which includes a photo, license status and what work they are
qualified to perform.

Do not look for a gas leak with a naked flame or other ignition source. Never use electrical equipment in the vicinity of a gas leak, don’t switch on any lights or use even use a flashlight. Avoid any item that
could cause a potential spark or source of ignition. Never use a naked flame, lit cigarette, matches, or
a lighter anywhere near the gas leak.

How to turn the gas on / off at your property

Your gas meter has a valve controlling the flow of gas from the network to your property.
To turn the gas on – the valve handle should be in the vertical ‘ON’ position (green in image above).
To turn the gas off – the valve handle should be in the horizontal ‘OFF’ position (red in image above).

Appliances

It’s tempting to save money when buying appliances, but never risk buying or using an appliance that is not correctly certified as safe. Australian safety standards are some of the best in the world. Appliances must meet the approved standards. There are 5 approved certification bodies each with different certification labels “marker label”. Certified gas appliances will have a data plate with model number and approval number, and one of the 5 certification labels (see below picture). In addition to certification label an appliance may also have Gas compliance mark, especially newer appliances (see below picture).

The 5-certification bodies are:

AGA – Australian Gas Association
SAI Global – Standards Australia International Global
IAPMO
Vipac
BSI

List of certification bodies can be found here – SA.GOV.AU – Buying safe gas and electrical appliances (www.sa.gov.au)  

Appliances must have a compliance plate with a gas approval number, Gas Certification labels and Gas compliance mark. This confirms they are designed to run specifically on natural gas.

Only use licensed installers

All work done on gas appliances or gas installation must be carried out by a registered licensed gasfitter who will provide you with a gas certificate of compliance.

Gas Safety Tips

• Only ever use appliances for their designed purpose.
• Always get your gasfitter to provide you with a gas certificate of compliance when work is done.
• Never store flammable goods (liquids or fuels) or rubbish near the gas meter.
• Never modify or tamper with your gas meter, pipes, or infrastructure.
• Never block any purpose-built ventilation.
• Do not attempt to fix, repair, or alter gas equipment or appliances yourself.
• Keep a gas oven and hot plates clean and free of fat or oil build up.
• Turn gas heaters off when you leave the house or go to sleep.
• Regularly inspect and arrange for maintenance and servicing of gas equipment.
• If you suspect your heater or gas appliance is not operating properly, turn it off and call a licensed gasfitter.

Renovating or digging.

Remember, the gas pipes that feed into the meter, and from the meter could be anywhere. Be careful of what’s buried or behind walls and fences – it could be a gas pipe.

Before demolishing, digging or breaking ground, be aware of your surroundings. Check with Before You Dig Australia (BYDA) who is the leading voice for utility damage prevention in Australia. They are dedicated to preventing injury and reducing damage to the networks that provide essential services to millions of Australians every day. BYDA provides a single point of contact to request information via their safety tools about any underground or overhead infrastructure at your planned work site without needing to contact utility organisations individually.

More information is available at: Home | Before You Dig Australia (BYDA)

Useful links

• Energy Safe Victoria – www.esv.vic.gov.au
• Office of the Technical Regulator – www.sa.gov.au
• Office of the Technical Regulator – www.sa.gov.au/topics/energy-and-environment
• Department of Planning and Environment – Energy and Resources – www.energy.nsw.gov.au/
• Queensland Emergency Services and Safety – www.qld.gov.au
• Australian Capital Territory Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate –Planning – www.planning.act.gov.au

A copy of our gas awareness safety information is accessible on our website at Gas Awareness and Safety.