Gas leak in rented house

Guest101

PasturesNew wrote: »

As I understand it, a letting agency plumber man came.... not the Official Men who have the allseeing powers.

Perhaps I've gone mad, but this is the second word of the first post onwards:


My partner, our 4 month old daughter and I moved to a rented house last Saturday. On Sunday we had to call the emergency gas board due to a very strong smell of gas. Someone came out and replaced a part, and said it should be ok now.

The next day we could still smell it, and again someone came out.

HouseBuyer77

Person_one wrote: »

There are some situations where turning it off is not actually the right thing to do. The experts can decide that based on the answers to the questions they will ask the OP. Hopefully, she's on the phone right now...

Whilst I can envision a situation where turning the gas off wouldn't make things better (e.g. dodgy isolation valve or gas leak in pipe before the meter) are there any situations where it would make it worse?

I note that both British Gas and Eon advise you to turn the gas off:

https://www.britishgas.co.uk/help-and-advice/More/Help-in-an-emergency/I-think-I-have-a-gas-leak-what-do-I-do.html

https://www.eonenergy.com/for-your-home/help-and-support/Emergencies/Gas-emergencies

Though National Grid do say to call them and then they will advise which may involve turning off the gas the meter: http://www2.nationalgrid.com/UK/Safety/Gas-emergency/

Person_one

HouseBuyer77 wrote: »

Whilst I can envision a situation where turning the gas off wouldn't make things better (e.g. dodgy isolation valve or gas leak in pipe before the meter) are there any situations where it would make it worse?

I note that both British Gas and Eon advise you to turn the gas off:

https://www.britishgas.co.uk/help-and-advice/More/Help-in-an-emergency/I-think-I-have-a-gas-leak-what-do-I-do.html

https://www.eonenergy.com/for-your-home/help-and-support/Emergencies/Gas-emergencies

Though National Grid do say to call them and then they will advise which may involve turning off the gas the meter: http://www2.nationalgrid.com/UK/Safety/Gas-emergency/

I'm not a gas engineer, that's why I'd defer to people who know the most about how to deal with gas emergencies, which has to be National Grid!

ashleypride

floodmummy wrote: »

The agency said they'll get the plumber to call me and explain why he made the decision it is safe for us to live here.... but I would rather listen to someone more experienced.

While you have a very small leak, this isn't a decision he can make, if the pipe work is showing a 1 millibar drop over the 2 minutes, then he should never have turned the gas back on.

floodmummy wrote: »

He said we need to turn the gas off and open all the doors and windows once a day- not exactly practical with a small baby

Make sure you ask for his Gas Safe registration number aswell. With that advice, it doesn't sound likely he has one.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

HouseBuyer77 wrote: »

Whilst I can envision a situation where turning the gas off wouldn't make things better (e.g. dodgy isolation valve or gas leak in pipe before the meter) are there any situations where it would make it worse?

I note that both British Gas and Eon advise you to turn the gas off:

https://www.britishgas.co.uk/help-and-advice/More/Help-in-an-emergency/I-think-I-have-a-gas-leak-what-do-I-do.html

https://www.eonenergy.com/for-your-home/help-and-support/Emergencies/Gas-emergencies

Though National Grid do say to call them and then they will advise which may involve turning off the gas the meter: http://www2.nationalgrid.com/UK/Safety/Gas-emergency/

As you say HouseBuyer77. The OP needs to stay safe and the link you've given explains what to do where there's a smell of gas or a gas leak.

As others have said, phone the National Gas Service Emergency Line on 0800 111 999 to report a suspected gas leak. They'll sort out the problem and tell you what to do to stay safe. If uncomfortable doing this, contact us and we'll do it.

In the meantime, turn off the gas supply at the meter (and leave it switched off until the Gas Emergency Service have been, fixed the problem and said it's safe to turn back on again). Don't smoke, don't light matches or cigarette lighters, don't turn light switches or anything electrical which could cause a spark on or off, put out any naked flames such as candles, open all the doors and windows and keep out of areas if it seems there's a build-up of dangerous fumes.

Malc

C_Mababejive

This is really simple.

Customer smells gas

Customer phones national eemergency service on 0800111999

They determine if there is a leak or not. Note that this includes checking if gas is leaking from outside (mains) and entering the house.

No leak? fine, gas stays on,leave.

Gas leak internally? Cut off>warning-prohibition notice issues> property owner to engage competent person to rectify issue.

Gas leak externally> Gas transporter (NG?) sends for re-enforcements to investigate,dig,repair,prevent gas from entering premises.

If a smell of gas is reported, then no pressure drop is permissable when applying the normal IGEM UP1B industry standard test for domestic premises.

It is not acceptable to say,,well its only 1mb drop,just open the windows twice a day. That is an outrage and a breach of the Gas Safety Installation and use regulations.

HappyMJ

C_Mababejive wrote: »

Gas leak internally? Cut off>warning-prohibition notice issues> property owner to engage competent person to rectify issue.

I called them out once. They capped the supply to the faulty appliance (cooker) and left the gas on so the other gas appliances could still be used until an engineer could either repair or fit a new cooker.

C_Mababejive

HappyMJ wrote: »

I called them out once. They capped the supply to the faulty appliance (cooker) and left the gas on so the other gas appliances could still be used until an engineer could either repair or fit a new cooker.

Yes that can happen too. If a faulty bit can be cut off and leave the rest on, it saves a lot of inconvenience to end users. It depends on individual situations. It is quite surprising how many alleged Gas Engineers cannot do something as rudimentary and essential as checking for leaks.

BobQ

Person_one wrote: »

If that was the right thing to do, then that's what it would advise on their website.

OP, please ignore everybody except the National Grid on this matter. They want you to call 0800 111 999 if you smell gas, so if you do smell gas just call that number!!!!

It is the right thing to do if you smell gas, then ring the gas escape number!

General gas safety advice
◾Do not smoke or light matches
◾Do not turn electrical switches on or off
◾Open doors and windows
◾Turn off the meter at the control handle unless the meter is in the cellar
◾Call the National Gas Emergency 0800 111 999

http://www2.nationalgrid.com/UK/Safety/Safety-in-the-home/

kinger101

Person_one wrote: »

I'm not a gas engineer, that's why I'd defer to people who know the most about how to deal with gas emergencies, which has to be National Grid!

But you indicated turning the gas off at the meter might make things worse. Which it won't. It was very bad, and potentially dangerous advice.