How to Detect a Gas Leak
Learning how to detect a gas leak early can save you and your family’s lives. According to the Gas Safe Register, there had been 31 deaths and more than 1,000 injuries in the last three years that resulted from gas leaks. They also said that one in every six homes they have inspected had one unsafe appliance. Gas leaks are serious and can be fatal. In addition to the deadly carbon monoxide poisoning, gas leaks can also cause house fires and gas explosions. Appliances that are not properly installed or maintained usually lead to a gas leak. However, if you know how to detect a gas leak early, you can leave your home before the situation gets worse. Such is the story of the gas explosion that happened in Upper Arlington, OH earlier this year. In March of this year, the police received a call around 12:46 pm from the neighbor of the home that would eventually explode in two hours. How to detect a gas leak: be wary of the following signs A rotten egg odor. Discolored or dead vegetation over or near the pipeline. A hissing, whistling or roaring sound near a gas appliance or pipeline. Dirt or debris being blown into the air. Persistent bubbles in streams, ponds or wet areas. Flames (if a leak has ignited). If you detect a gas leak, evacuate the area immediately and warn others not to enter the area. From a safe location, call the police, fire department or your local gas company. At the same time, DO NOT: turn natural gas valves on or off turn any electric switch on...Portable Gas Heaters
If you currently own one or two portable gas heaters, or if you are planning to buy one, it is important to know that they are beneficial but can also be risky. Portable gas heaters are also called gas fires and or space heaters. They are small heaters that have the capacity to heat a room in your home or an outdoor area. Portable gas heaters must never be used as your home’s main heating system. Gas fires are typically used in the following circumstances: When the main heating system provides inadequate heat When it is too costly to install or operate the main heating system When you only want to heat one room in the house When there is inadequate heating in one specific room only, such as for people who are more sensitive to cold (i.e. elderly persons or those who are sick or with specific health needs) When you want to heat outdoor spaces There are generally three types of portable gas heaters: Radiant heaters – They produce heat similar to a traditional fire log. They emit warmth that is then transferred to other objects around. They must not be used in cellars, basements, cellars, bedrooms, bathrooms, garages or other rooms that are exposed to breeze. Flame effect heaters – They provide the effect of a flame without using real fire. Heat is emitted using the flames and artificial coals or logs. They usually have a sensor that turns off the heater when there is not sufficient oxygen in the room. Catalytic heaters – They include a metal grill and a mesh lined with a...How to Use Your Gas Fire Safely
Learn how to use your gas fire safely in your home. Gas Fires A gas fire, also called a gas heater or a gas space heater, is great to have around the house in case your gas boiler needs repair and you have no heat at home. It can warm up a room or area in your home, or even an outdoor space. However, because of the portable feature of gas fires, they pose health and safety risks. How to Use Your Gas Fire Safely We have outlined some tips on how to use your gas fire safely to avoid the dangers that they pose. Right size. Use the right size of heater that the room needs. This way, you are only using the energy needed to heat the room. A heater that is too big for the room can also discharge more air pollutants. Most heaters include an advise as to the room size that it can be used. Ventilation. When using a gas heater, keep the room well ventilated. This will allow fumes to dissipate and provide a source of fresh air. Ventilation also prevents condensation produced from small amounts of water vapor from the heater. Where to use your heater. Know which rooms you can use your gas fire. If you have an unflued gas heater, do not use it in a room where you sleep for long periods of time. It can get very dangerous when left running unattended. Positioning. Place your gas heater away from hazards. Keep it out of reach of children and pets, and do not place it in an...Troubleshooting Gas Fires
Want to learn some tips in troubleshooting gas fires? Gas fires Gas fires or space heaters are useful in case your central heating system breaks down. While a gas fire can only heat a small space or a room, and can get risky when not properly installed or operated, they can be the answer to freezing winter day. If you’re having minor problems with your gas fire, you may be able to fix it on your own. Here are our tips when troubleshooting gas fires. Troubleshooting Gas Fires Learn these simple tips to help you when you are troubleshooting gas fires. Check that the main gas supply is turned on. It may not sound like the smartest advice, but its easy for your gas supply to get turned off accidentally. Make sure you are correctly lighting the gas heater. If it’s you’re first time to operate your heater, make sure you read the user’s manual first. Follow the correct procedure at all times. In case you don’t have the manual, check the heater for instructions. There is usually a control panel where the operational instructions are written. Keep the heater cabin clean. It is important to keep the cabin clean so that the heater can operate properly. Unscrew the front cover of the heater and you will find the cabin inside. Remove all dirt, dust and other particles and prevent them from accumulating. A dirty cabin will produce a certain kind of smell. Use a damp cloth to clean the cabin. Don not use household cleaning solutions or agents. If your heater has flue pipes, you must clean...Maintenance of Gas Appliances
Learn the proper maintenance of gas appliances in your home. Found in rock formations located deep underground, natural gas is hydrocarbon an consists mainly of methane, varying amounts of higher alkanes and smaller percentages of carbon dioxide, nitrogen and hydrogen sulfide. It is a source of energy used for cooking, heating and generating electricity. Some examples of gas appliances are boilers, stoves, ovens, water heaters, central heaters, furnaces, etc. The UK is the second- largest producer of natural gas in the European Union. The use of gas as an energy source in homes has significantly increased in the UK. In 1970, gas provided a fourth of the energy used in a home. As of 2009, gas supplies energy to two- thirds of a household’s needs. If you are using gas as a source of energy in your home, then you need to know the proper maintenance of gas appliances to ensure the safety of your family and prolong the life of your appliances. Maintenance of Gas Appliances Here are our tips for proper maintenance of gas appliances: Use only LPG for LPG appliances and natural gas for natural gas appliances. Operating a gas appliance with the wrong appliance can be hazardous and dangerous – unless the appliance has been converted. Put a lit match adjacent to the burner or press the ignition button before turning on gas to a burner. The burners should produce a blue flame. If the flame is yellow, call a gas safe registered engineer right away. Do not bypass, tamper or force safety valves, fittings and control knobs. Switch off your gas appliances when...
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