Natural Gas Safety Published May 11, 2011 By Robert Manter CSC utilities supervisor KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Natural gas is an efficient, low-cost fuel, and it's in abundant supply. It makes our lives better. Nature's miracle fuel heats our homes, cooks our meals, cleans and dries our clothes, produces hot water on demand, lights our yards, and even powers vehicles. It benefits our environment as well-natural gas is the cleanest and most efficient source of energy available. Keesler Air Force Base owns the high pressure gas line which services Keesler, Maltby Hall and all housing areas. This is accomplished with an expansive system of distribution pipelines that are located all over Keesler. Distribution lines that move natural gas through your community and ultimately deliver the gas to you as you need are connected to a large transmission line that extends from Turkey Creek. CSC maintains and constantly monitors more than 500,000 linear feet of these lines. You may come in contact with any of our lines, and you need to beware of safety measures related to each. If You Smell Gas You cannot smell natural gas in its natural state, so a chemical to help you detect its presence has been added. This chemical is called mercaptan, which has a strong odor very much like rotten egg. If you smell even the faint odor of mercaptan or hear a hissing noise, notify others in person - not by phone - to leave the premises, and then leave. Do not turn appliances or lights on or off. Do not use the telephone. Electrical currents in switches and telephones may spark an explosion. After you leave the potentially affected area, call the Fire Department at 377-3330 to report a gas leak. If you don't remember this number during an emergency dial 911 and let them know you are on Keesler. Stay away from the building until an official familiar with the situation tells you it is safe to return. Once your gas has been shut off, do not try to turn it back on. Only a qualified person may perform this task. Leak Detection Outdoors The larger underground pipeline crosses through Biloxi and Gulfport and clearly marked with signs so you can be aware they're in the area. The lines are designed, installed, tested and maintained to meet every federal, state and industry code and regulation. And they're constantly monitored and inspected to locate and fix potential problems in advance. But considering there are more than 500,000 linear feet of gas line in place across the community and two cities, it is best to be prepared for the occasional, but rare, leak. Follow Your Senses If you're near a natural gas pipeline, these tips can help you spot a natural gas leak outdoors: Use Your Eyes -- If you see dirt or water blowing into the air, or notice standing water continuously bubbling, there may be a leak. You also can look for discolored vegetation (like brown patches in a green field), or you might notice dry spots in a moist field. Use Your Nose -- If you smell an odor that has the distinct scent of sulfur or rotten eggs, there may be a leak. Use Your Ears -- If you hear a loud roaring or high-pitched hissing sound, there may be a leak. Take Action -- If you detect a leak outdoors, do the following: Leave the area immediately. Call 911 from a neighbor's phone or from your cell; call the fire department at 377-3330. If you dial 911 from your cell, inform the operator you are on Keesler. Your local emergency authorities know what to do in this situation. We work with local authorities to minimize and eliminate any danger. It's our job to find and terminate the leak as quickly as possible. About Carbon Monoxide Natural gas is safe, clean and reliable. When appliances are installed properly and operating efficiently, natural gas burns cleanly, with little residue. However, if your natural gas appliance produces a yellow flame instead of a blue flame, it is not operating efficiently or is not vented properly. Carbon monoxide can be produced under these conditions. Carbon monoxide (CO) is poisonous. CO is an odorless, colorless, toxic gas. Exposure to high concentrations of CO or prolonged exposure to CO is potentially fatal. To avoid CO hazards, make sure your appliances are properly installed, cleaned, maintained and vented. The sources of carbon monoxide can include unvented cooking appliances, auto exhaust, blocked chimney flues and malfunctioning fuel-burning appliances. Indications that carbon monoxide may be present in your home or building include the following: Black soot on or near registers, flues, furnace filters, burners or appliance access openings; Condensation on windows or interior walls (condensation on widows can also be cause by harmless humidifiers or vaporizers); Yellow flame (instead of a blue flame) on appliance burners, indicating improper mixture of air and gas; Recent death of a pet or unexplained illness or dead or dying houseplants; Absence of draft in your chimney. What to do if you suspect poisoning. Always be alert to the possibility of exposure to carbon monoxide. Learn to recognize the following symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Initially, flu-like symptoms can include headache, dizziness, ringing in the ears, fatigue, increased perspiration, nausea, weakness and vomiting. As carbon monoxide levels increase, the symptoms may become more severe and include shortness of breath, extreme muscular weakness, intermittent convulsions, mental confusion and unconsciousness. Severe poisoning can cause such symptoms as change in skin color to pink, lips and mucous membranes change in color to cherry red, and heart and lung failure. What to do Immediately leave the building. Call 911 from a neighbor's phone or from a cell phone, call the fire department at 377-3330. If you dial 911 from your cell, inform the operator you are on Keesler. Do not re-enter the building until it has been determined safe by emergency response personnel. Immediately seek medical assistance for any symptoms, even those you think are minor. Prevention Tips Make certain your appliances are operating properly, no matter what type of fuel you use. Check and maintain proper ventilation of the flue and chimney. Have a qualified heating and cooling contractor inspect your gas furnace annually. If you see a yellow furnace flame instead of a blue one, it's a warning sign that your appliance is not burning efficiently. Call a qualified heating and cooling contractor to inspect your furnace immediately. Clean or replace heating system air filters regularly. Do not block air intake areas near or around appliances. Do not use a gas range or space heater to heat your home. Do not start your car, lawn mower, snow blower or any combustion engine in a closed garage. Do not operate your grill inside an enclosed porch or garage. Carbon Monoxide Detectors There are many carbon monoxide detectors on the market today designed to alert you to the presence of carbon monoxide. If you decide to install one of these detectors, be sure it is approved by Underwriters Laboratories and includes an alarm that can be readily heard. Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations and installation instructions. DO NOT place a detector in any of the following locations: Places where the temperature may drop below 40 degrees F Near paint or paint thinner fumes In the kitchen or within five feet of open flames from appliances In close proximity to vents, flues or chimneys Know the sound your detector makes when it goes off. Be able to tell the difference between your carbon monoxide detector and your smoke detector. Gas Appliance Safety Appliances that use natural gas include furnaces, hot water heaters, ranges, ovens, clothes dryers, yard lights and cooking grills. The National Fuel Gas Code requires that if appliances are installed in residential garages, or in areas where flammable liquids are handled or dispensed, the appliances must be placed so that the main burner and pilot light are elevated at least 18 inches above the floor. Check with a qualified contractor or plumber to ensure your appliance is installed and vented properly. What to do if your pilot light goes out. Turn off the shut-off valve on the appliance. If you choose to relight your own appliances or pilot lights, consult the manual for each appliance and carefully follow all instructions and warnings in the manual and on that appliance. Flammable Liquid Vapors Vapors from flammable liquids like gasoline, paints, solvents and adhesives are heavier than air and can travel great distances along the floor. The burner or pilot light of a gas or electric appliance can ignite these vapors. Do not use or store flammable liquids in a room where gas or electric appliances are installed. Store flammable liquids outside in tightly closed containers recommended by the manufacturer, away from gas or electric appliances, where children cannot reach them. Keep combustible materials, like cloth rags and paper, away from water heaters, furnaces and other gas or electric appliances. If you smell smoke or see a fire, leave the building and call the fire department or 911. Employee Identification CSC employees carry a company photo identification card. Ask to see proof of identity before allowing anyone into your home. Call a customer service at 377-7771 if you are uncertain about why we want to enter your home or to confirm the employee's identity. Our employees understand your desire to confirm that they have a reason to enter your home. Call Before You Dig -- Avoid Careless Damage and Accidents State law requires utilities and line owners to register their underground facilities in every county - and for excavators to contact every potentially affected operator before they start to dig. Excavators include fence builders, swimming pool contractors, and landscapers. Housing occupants who do this type work themselves are considered excavators. Anyone digging should call Customer Service at 377-7771 to be sure they know where they can safely dig. One-Call System The One-Call System is a statewide organization that makes locating lines easy. They operate a computerized notification center that establishes an important link between excavators and underground line operators CenterPoint Energy and Keesler Utilities Shop. Here's how this free service works. Excavators, including homeowners should Call 811 or 1-800-227-6477 at least full two business days before digging starts. Calls received with less than two business days notice are considered non-compliant requests under state law. In less than five minutes, the excavator can complete a locate request ticket to have all utilities located with paint and/or flags at the proposed dig site. Operators with underground facilities in the vicinity of the planned excavation are notified by Oklahoma One-Call. This includes natural gas and power utilities, communications companies, and cities and towns. 1. Operator crews or their subcontractors either mark their underground facilities or tell the excavator they have no lines in the area. 2. Excavators or homeowners can recognize the type of line marking on a site by using the following color code: Red = Electric Yellow = Gas, oil or steam Orange = Telephone or television Blue = Water Green = Sewer Pink = Temporary survey markings White = Proposed excavation Pipeline Safety Considerations When planning your landscaping projects, avoid planting trees or large shrubs near your gas meter. As the tree grows, it can exert forces on your meter setting which could result in damage to the gas pipeline facilities. You can help enforce safety laws, by shutting down any contractors you are using who do not use the One-Call system. For example, if your fence or pool contractor starts digging before you see any paint or flags in your yard, you will know he probably is not complying with the One-Call law. By shutting down the excavation work, you will be protecting your own property by preventing damage to gas, electric, water, and communication facilities.