How to detect a gas leak

by Staff Bona

With loadshedding proving that it is here to stay, many South Africans have resorted to power outage-friendly appliances, one of those being gas stoves. Although useful, if not installed or maintained properly, a gas leak can occur. Here’s what you can do if you suspect a leak and to prevent unnecessary health risks.

According to the safety and security company SafeWise, gas leaks carry explosive potential due to the highly flammable nature of the vapours.

This was evident on 19 July when an underground gas explosion occurred between Bree and Simmonds streets in the Johannesburg CBD, causing deep cracks in the road.

SafeWise advises that if you suspect a gas leak, the best thing to do is to turn off the pilot light or gas metre and alert the relevant authorities. “Because gas is odourless, suppliers add a potent smell similar to rotten eggs to alert occupants to the dangerous vapour and allow time for evacuation before symptoms become overwhelming.”

Aside from using a natural gas leak detector, below are three tactics to follow, presented by SafeWise, if experiencing a potential gas leak.

Listen for a hiss or whistling noise

If you know where the gas line is, try to keep an ear out for the noises previously described. “It’s not always the case that the gas is moving through a confined space, so don’t rely on this sound exclusively to determine the presence of a leak.”

Check the gas colours

When turning on a burner, you will often see a blue flame. This indicates that there is enough oxygen in the air for the gas to combust. If the flame is red or orange, this is an indication of potential trouble.

Try the soapy water test

Mix a concentrated solution of a teaspoon of dishwashing detergent with one cup of water. Apply the mixture to where you suspect the leak, for example, a connection or juncture. If bubbles form in that area, it may be an indication of escaping gas.

Also see: Health risks of using gas heaters