What To Do In The Event Of a Gas Emergency
If you can smell gas or if you feel ill, dizzy or nauseous in the vicinity of a gas appliance then you should take the following action:
- Open all doors and windows
- Turn off the appliance/s
- Turn off the gas supply at the mains
- In the event of a gas leak, do not use a naked flame and do not operate any electrical appliances or electrical switches (this could generate a spark and cause an explosion)
- Evacuate the building in the event of a serious gas leak
- If the gas leak is from an appliance or pipework within the property then contact a gas safe engineer to call and rectify the problem
For natural gas leaks call the National Gas Emergency Number 0800 111 999
For leaks on LPG bulk storage tanks and pipework call the telephone number shown on the storage tank or on the box covering the gas isolation valve sited on the outside of the property
For leaks on LPG cylinders you can find the gas supplier emergency contact details in the local telephone directory.
What To Do In The Event Of a Domestic Oil Emergency
If you can see, or suspect, oil is leaking from an oil pipe or storage tank then:
- Isolate the oil supply at the storage tank
- Turn off the appliance
- In the event of an oil spillage inside the property, open all doors and windows and try and contain the oil using any absorbent material available such as newspapers, sand, cat litter, old rags and sawdust (this material will be highly flammable and will need to be disposed of carefully afterwards)
- In the event of an oil spillage outside the property, contain the oil as much as possible and try and prevent it entering any drain or water course
- In the event of a leak on the oil storage tank then try and contain the oil as much as possible and contact your oil supplier immediately
- Contact the Environment Agency, or Natural Resources Wales if you live in Wales, on 0800 80 70 60
- Contact an OFTEC registered installer to call and rectify the problem
- Inform your property insurance provider
What To Do In The Event Of a Water Emergency
In the event of a water leak in your property then:
- Turn off the incoming water supply at the main stop tap. This is usually located under the kitchen sink, under the utility sink or in a downstairs cloakroom. (N.B. some older properties can have more than one incoming stop tap!)
- If you are on a borehole supply, or well supply fitted with a booster pump, then turn off the electric supply to the borehole/pump
- If the leak doesn’t reduce or stop within a short period of a minute or two, then open all hot and cold water taps in the property until they stop running
- Extinguish any solid fuel or unregulated oil or gas stove or cooker, if it has a back boiler fitted, and turn off the immersion heater in the hot water cylinder.
- If you suspect water has entered any electrical fittings or equipment then turn off the electrical supply at the consumer unit – do not touch or operate any wet switches or appliances until the electric supply has been made safe
- Call a plumber to rectify the leak
- Call a suitably qualified electrician to check the electrical system
- Inform your property insurance provider
If you need further help to undertake any repais following a gas, oil or water emergency then please give us a call on (01686) 411121. We cover all of Mid Wales including, Newtown, Welshpool, Llanidloes, Machynlleth, Rhayader, Llandrindod Wells, Builth Wells and the surrounding areas.
