A smell of gas, in the house or in a building, means that there is a gas escape, a sign that one of your appliances or pipes is defective. We must act quickly to limit the risk of a domestic accident.
An abnormal smell of gas indicates the presence of a faulty appliance or element (pipe, nut, valve, etc.). There is then a risk of gas exhaust or leakage, at the level of a boiler for example. You must act immediately when you think you smell gas at home. How do you know if it smells of gas? What odour looks like gas? What to do ? Advice with our firefighter.
“Normally the gas used in heating and cooking appliances – the methane, butane or propane mainly – is odorless in its natural state. But to be able to spot a possible gas leaka chemical component to sulfur base was incorporated into the gas; it is mercaptan or THT recognizable by its egg or rotten cabbage smell. This odorant makes the gas detectable at a minimal concentration in the air”, indicates our interlocutor. To note that carbon monoxide, (very dangerous to breathe, is responsible for 150 deaths per year in France) smells nothing. In other words, if you smell gas in your home, it is not carbon monoxide but natural gas, butane, methane or propane.
What are the possible causes of a gas smell?
The presence of an abnormal smell of gas therefore signifies a potential gas exhaust which can have several causes:
- A badly connected faucet
- A loose nut
- A faulty or worn fixture or hose
- A gas bottle leak
What to do if you smell gas at home?
“If you notice a smell of gas in your home, even slight, of rotten eggs or sulfur, it is that there may be a leak. If possible, the pipe should be closed at the blocking valve (by closing the red knob of the gas tap), leave the premises, leaving the doors and windows open to ventilate and facilitate the intervention of the technician, and alert the fire brigade or the number Gas Safety Emergency on 0 800 47 33 33 once outside, when you are safe and away from the smell of gas“, explains the firefighter. Limit all flammable sources around the suspect area: do not light a cigaretteavoid using any electrical device or element near the gas leak (electrical device, flashlight, telephone, switches, etc.).
What to do if you smell gas in a building?
“If you notice a smell of gas in the common premises or a building, warn your neighbours, evacuate and alert the emergency services“, indicates our interlocutor. In any case, you must not:
- call,
- turn on the lights or flip a switch
- use any energy source capable of triggering a gas explosion.
Who to call if you smell gas?
“You should call the toll-free number Gas Safety Emergency at 0 800 47 33 33 (free call, accessible 24 hours a day), firefighters 18 or 112″, list our interlocutor. If you see flames or a fire has broken out, call 112 directly.
Prevention: what to do to avoid risks?
► Call a certified “gas professional” technician who will check and ensure the quality of your gas installations, as well as the maintenance of your equipment according to the standards in force.
► Maintain your gas boiler every year (it is mandatory). During his visit, the professional checks all the elements of your installation and he can, at your request, carry out the sweeping of your exhaust ducts.
Thank you to Captain Vincent Lombart, firefighter and former firefighter from Paris.