Natural gas is a general term for gaseous fuels, including natural gas, artificial gas, liquefied petroleum gas, and more. Among them, natural gas is one of the safer gases. It doesn't contain carbon monoxide and is lighter than air, which means it disperses upward quickly in case of a leak, reducing the risk of explosive gas buildup. However, when natural gas concentration in the air is between 5% to 15%, it becomes an explosive mixture. It can lead to explosion accidents when exposed to open flames, sparks, or other sources of ignition.

Our company supplies natural gas, which is lighter than air and easily dissipates. Here are some safety guidelines for using natural gas:

1. General Gas Usage Rules

1. Ensure Adequate Ventilation:

When using natural gas, ensure good ventilation in the kitchen and around gas appliances as complete combustion requires four times the amount of air (natural gas requires 10 times) as the gas itself.

2. Turn Off the GasAfter Use

After using gas, remember to turn off the gas valve. Before going to bed or leaving the premises, double-check to ensure that gas pipelines and appliance valves are closed.

3. Supervise Gas Usage

Do not use gas appliances without supervision. When cooking items like soup, porridge, or milk, which tend to boil over, keep a close eye on them to prevent spillage that could extinguish the flame and lead to a gas leak. Also, keep children away from gas appliances.

4. Pause if Ignition Fails

If you fail to ignite the gas after two consecutive attempts, pause for a while. Make sure the leaked gas dissipates before attempting to relight it. Releasing gas multiple times can lead to a hazardous situation when exposed to open flames.

5. Use Approved Gas Appliance Connectors:

According to the "Gas Engineering Project Standard" GB55009, you can use metal corrugated pipes and aluminum-plastic pipes as gas appliance connectors.

2. Guidelines for Using Gas Appliance Connectors:

1. The length of the connector should not exceed 2 meters.

2. Maintain a safe distance of at least 30 cm from the stove to prevent 3. exposure to flames.

3. Do not route the connector through walls, doors, or windows.

4. Do not kink or fold the connector to avoid blockages that could disrupt continuous gas supply.

Note: To prevent risks such as aging, detachment, or rodent damage, it is required, according to the "Gas Engineering Project Standard" GB55009, that gas users use stainless steel wire-buckled metal corrugated pipes for gas appliance connectors, and the use of rubber hoses for connectors is prohibited.

3. Main Causes of Gas Leaks:

1. Household Gas

(1) Based on statistics and analysis of gas accidents over the years, gas leaks caused by the use of gas rubber hoses by users, where the hoses have aged, been chewed through by rodents, or become detached, account for over 30% of all gas incidents.

(2) Failure to ignite, leading to the direct release of unburned gas.

(3) Gas leaks occurring during cooking when boiling soups, water extinguishes the stove flame, or the flame is blown out by the wind.

(4) Valves not tightly closed after turning off the gas.

(5) Gas leaks caused by damaged gas appliances.

(6) Gas leaks resulting from aging, cracking, or loosening of the rubber hoses connecting to stoves.

Note: To prevent the risk of gas extinguishing due to accidents such as boiling over, boiling water, or strong winds, our company recommends using gas appliances equipped with automatic flameout protection devices.

2. Industrial Gas

(1) Material-related factors: Different pipeline materials can have imperfections such as pores, locking holes, or cracks due to external factors, easily leading to material damage and potential gas leaks.

(2) Installation and construction factors: During the installation process, violations and technical issues can result in welding quality problems. Poor welding can lead to cracks due to external factors like vibrations, resulting in gas leakage, causing significant losses and harm to industrial production and workers.

(3) Safety management: If personnel responsible for gas pipelines lack routine maintenance, inspections, or patrol maintenance and are negligent in safety management, this can also be a direct factor in gas pipeline leaks.

Common gas leak areas: Rubber hoses, connections, gas meters, globe valves, ball valves.

4. Gas Leak Detection Methods and Emergency Measures

1. Gas Leak Detection Methods

(1) When you smell a strong odor like rotten eggs, gasoline, or paint, you should be aware that it may be a gas leak.

(2) Identify the gas leak point. During inspection, apply soapy water, detergent, or dishwashing liquid to areas where gas leaks may occur, such as pipe joints, meters, stove switches, etc. If there is a gas leak, bubbles will continuously appear at that location.

(3) Strictly avoid using open flames for leak detection.

2. Emergency Measures for Gas Leaks

If you detect a noticeable gas odor indoors, sudden gas interruptions, or a lack of gas supply, immediately close the stove valve and gas pipe valve. Open doors and windows for ventilation. Perform these actions gently to avoid metal friction that might produce sparks and cause an explosion.

Do not operate or turn off any electrical appliances when a gas leak occurs to avoid generating sparks and causing an explosion.

If there is a strong gas odor, quickly evacuate the area to prevent suffocation or poisoning.

Gas pipeline users can use tape or similar materials to tightly seal the leak and then find and close the main gas valve leading into the building.

For gas cylinder users, in case the valve malfunctions, first seal the leak with a wet cloth, soap, or clay, and then move the gas cylinder outdoors to release any remaining gas. Remember, avoid all ignition sources.

Immediately report the situation and call for assistance, such as the gas company's emergency repair hotline or the fire department's 119 emergency line. Do not make calls for help at the gas-filled scene, and do not turn on range hoods or exhaust fans, as this may create sparks and cause fires.

5. Emergency Measures for Gas Fires

1. Emergency Measures for Household Gas Fires

Shut off the main inlet valve to cut off the gas supply quickly, extinguishing the fire.

Smother the flames with damp blankets, clothing, or a fireproof blanket if the stove or oil pan catches fire. Immediately close the valve.

Use a dry powder fire extinguisher to spray at the base of the fire if the fire is too large to close the valve. After extinguishing the fire, promptly close the main inlet valve and notify the gas company.

Call 119 to report the fire if it cannot be controlled.

2. Emergency Measures for Industrial Gas Fires

Report and inform on-site safety management personnel and superiors immediately upon detecting a significant gas leak or fire.

Set up warning barriers at the scene, prohibiting all vehicles from entering the restricted area. Vehicles within the restricted area should not be started. Turn off the electrical main switch from the outside (do not operate electrical appliances in gas-filled areas) and notify nearby residents.

Emergency actions include closing upstream and downstream valves at the leaking site to cut off the gas supply. If necessary, use manual vent valves for gas release.

Repair personnel should eliminate faults, replace or repair damaged sections or equipment when the scene is safe. For low-pressure gas leaks and fires, sealing and extinguishing methods can be used by blocking the leak with wet blankets, wet sacks, clay, etc.

6. Seven Prohibitions for Household Gas Usage

1. Do not disassemble or modify gas facilities and appliances without authorization. If disassembly or modification (e.g., during renovations) is required, it must be carried out by qualified personnel from the gas company. Relocation of gas measuring devices and facilities must be approved by the gas company.

2. Do not seal or enclose gas pipes, valves, flow meters, or gas appliances. This includes installing them within walls or ceilings.

3. Do not store items or occupy rooms where gas meters, valves, and gas pipes are installed. Rooms with gas appliances like stoves and gas pipelines should not be used as bedrooms. In the event of a gas leak, high gas concentrations can lead to suffocation and explosions due to insufficient oxygen and the presence of ignition sources.

4. Do not hang wires or ropes on gas pipes.

5. Do not open or close gas pipeline public valves without authorization.

6. Do not use gas facilities illegally, engage in theft, or provide gas to unauthorized users.

7. Do not construct buildings or temporary structures on natural gas pipelines. Construction or improper sheds, the storage of miscellaneous items, and garbage on pipelines can damage them, making it difficult to conduct inspections, checks, and pipeline maintenance and repair, leading to gas leaks. Natural gas can infiltrate indoor spaces from underground water channels, leading to accidents.

Tianjin GreenState Gas Co., Ltd. 24-Hour Service Hotline

022-2398-2126