Gas leaks are a serious hazard. If you smell gas or suspect a gas leak follow our tips to help you identify the problem.
If you can smell gas or think you have a gas leak, call the National Gas Emergency Service Provider (ESP) on 0800 111 999. If you use a textphone you should dial 0800 371 787 in an emergency. It doesn’t matter what time of day or night you ring, ESP have trained operators working round-the-clock waiting to take your call.
The kind of information you’ll be asked for will include:
- The address/location of the suspected gas escape or gas emergency
- How many people are at the property where the smell is most noticeable?
- How long the smell has been noticeable?
- Is the smell coming from the cellar/basement?
- Are any neighbours affected?
- Your name and phone number
- Any special circumstances or access information
What else should you do?
- Do not operate any electrical switches (either on or off)
- Do not smoke
- Extinguish (put out) any naked flames such as candles
- Ventilate the property (open doors and windows)
- Turn off the gas supply at the emergency control valve, situated at your gas meter
What if the gas leak is coming from outside?
It should be repaired free of charge.
What if the gas leak is indoors?
The first call engineer from the ESP will always ‘make safe’ when called to a suspected gas escape. However, the ESP under the terms of its licence doesn’t cover repairs to appliances or installation pipework which can’t be completed within 30 minutes.
So what do you do next?
Once the property has been made safe, the ESP will explain that any work on appliances (e.g. cookers, boilers or fires) has to be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. To find a Gas Safe registered engineer in your area, please visit the Gas Safe Register website or call on 0800 408 5500.
