Things You Should Know About Gas Leaks
The deadly explosion in New York City this morning unfortunately appears to have been caused by a gas leak. While this may be a term we hear on the news when something goes horribly wrong, most of us probably don't know how they happen, the signs to look for, and what to do if there is indeed a gas leak. So we're here to attempt to keep you safe.
HOW A GAS LEAK HAPPENS
Just like water — and the late Ted Stevens's Internet — gas must be piped into and distributed around our homes by a series of pipes and tubes. The largest of these are called gas mains. As with most pieces of infrastructure around our cities, towns and homes, we build gas mains, bury them and forget about them until they age and break. Unfortunately, NYC isn't getting any younger and the average age of its 6,300 miles of gas mains is 56 years old.
If you learned nothing else from Justin Bieber's precipitous fall from pop idol to common criminal, you should have learned that nothing lasts forever. Gas pipes are no different. Over time things wear out and leaks happen.
We're going to talk about New York City specifically for a moment, but this is a national problem. Most of NYC's gas, steam, sewer and water lines are made of relatively ancient materials like cast iron, which makes them "highly susceptible to leaks and breaks." In fact, they're so bad that 2% of the gas Con Ed sends out into the grid every year never even makes it to its final destination. Water pipes are even worse. A staggering 24% of water is lost in NYC's pipes.
Nationally, regulation falls to the Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. Never heard of them? Yeah, we hadn't either. But their main task is to replace these decrepit iron pipes.
HOW TO RECOGNIZE A GAS LEAK
Luckily, natural gas has a distinctive odor. And by "distinctive odor," we mean that it reeks of rotten eggs. So if you smell rotten eggs and you aren't experimenting with deconstructed kimchi omelettes in your kitchen, chances are this will be the first sign you have a problem. Also look out for:
• A blowing or hissing sound
• Dead vegetation
• Bubbling in a flooded area
• Flames (the worst-case scenario)
WHAT TO DO IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE A GAS LEAK
If you suspect there's a leak, immediately stop whatever it is you are doing. The very reason natural gas is so ubiquitous as an energy resource is because it's great at exploding. While this is great for efficient heating and cooking, it also means it can just as effectively blow up your house. Do not, under any circumstances:
• Flip any switches
• Unplug or plug in any electronics
• Use a telephone
• Start your car
• Use an open flame
• Tweet about it
Just open your windows and go outside. Now you can tweet about it.
Once you're a safe distance away, call your local utility company. They may also ask that you call 911 if the situation warrants an emergency response.
HOW TO FIX A GAS LEAK
This is really simple, guys. Are you ready? Are you a professional plumber? No? Then just don't do it. Seriously.
Natural gas is highly flammable and, if the concentrations are high enough, toxic. Please leave this to the professionals. We love you, and we want you to keep on living.
