Natural Gas Safety
Natural gas is one of the safest, most reliable fuels there is — and, like any energy source, it earns that record when it is treated with respect and used properly. Here is how to do exactly that.
Has a line been hit? Do you smell gas?
Don't wait — call (403) 845-2766, answered 24 hours a day.
Treated with respect, natural gas is safe and reliable — it has heated homes, shops and barns across our franchise area for decades. Like every form of energy, though, it has to be used properly.
Knowing a little about how it behaves, and what to do if something ever goes wrong, is the best safety preparation you can have.
How natural gas behaves
A few simple properties are what make natural gas forgiving to live with:
Lighter than air
Natural gas is lighter than air. Out in the open it rises and disperses into the atmosphere rather than pooling — unless it is confined in an enclosed space.
A higher combustion temperature
Natural gas has a higher combustion temperature than other fuels, so it isn't easily set alight.
A narrow ignition window
Combustion can't happen at all unless a narrow range of fuel-to-air mixture is present — too little or too much gas in the air and it simply won't burn.
Using natural gas safely at home
Safe, efficient use comes down to respecting the fuel and looking after the appliances that burn it. Get to know how to use your natural gas appliances properly, and always follow the manufacturer's directions for operating and caring for them. Appliances that are well looked after run both safely and efficiently — caring for them is what keeps them working the way they should.
Planning a project that involves digging? Call before you dig and have your natural gas line located first. It protects you, and everyone around you, from striking a buried line.
Gas leaks and line damage
If you ever suspect a leak or a damaged line, treat it as urgent. You don't need to be certain — if something seems wrong, make the call.
Smell gas or suspect a damaged line?
Call the Rocky Gas Co-op 24-hour line right away, and report any gas-line damage to us — no matter how minor it looks.
(403) 845-2766Not sure what to do in the moment? There's step-by-step guidance for both situations: what to do if you smell natural gas, and what you need to know if you hit a line.
Keep your meter clear
Your gas meter needs clear, unobstructed access at all times. Please keep the area around it open and easy to reach.
Theft and tampering
Stealing natural gas, or tampering with Rocky Gas Co-op equipment, is dangerous: it can create a safety hazard both for whoever does it and for their neighbours. It is also an offence under the Criminal Code — and the cost of stolen gas works its way into the rates that paying members carry.
If you know of natural gas being stolen, please contact our office to report it.
More natural gas safety
The rest of the Safety section covers each situation in detail: