Natural Gas Leak Recognition and Response -- Top Things You Need to Know
A natural gas leak is usually recognized by smell, sight, or sound.
- Smell - Natural gas is colorless and odorless. Before it reaches you, we add a distinctive, pungent odor (rotten eggs smell) so you will recognize it quickly.
- Sight - You may see a white cloud, mist, fog, bubbles in standing water, or vegetation that appears to be dead or dying for no apparent reason.
- Sound - You may hear an unusual noise like roaring, hissing or whistling.
What should you do if you suspect a leak?
- Protect life first. MOVE to a safe environment.
- Call 911 or City of Richmond DPU at 804-646-4646.
- DO NOT strike a match, use cell phones, switch on or off appliances, lights or even a flashlight in the area where you smell gas. These items can produce sparks that might ignite and cause an explosion.
For emergency personnel
- Emergency response officials should secure the area and take steps to eliminate ignition sources.
- Evacuate the general public from the vicinity of the leak
- Contact City of Richmond DPU at 804-646-4646
For excavators
- Immediately stop work and evacuate the site to a safe distance
- Immediately eliminate all sources of ignition (e.g., truck and car motors, backhoes, etc.)
- Call City of Richmond DPU at 804-646-4646
- Alert everyone on the premises
- Keep the public and traffic away
- DO NOT try to fix the pipe or slow the rate of leaking gas
- DO NOT try to extinguish a gas burning fire unless there is a threat to life
- If you SUSPECT or become aware of a dent, scratch, or coating damage to the pipeline, notify Richmond DPU at 804-646-4646 immediately.
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