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Click here to download a natural gas safety video (256 kbps.mov)
More than half of the reported natural gas accidents are caused by people digging before utility lines are marked.
Emergencies and disasters If there is a situation where gas needs to be shut off, M.U.D. will take care of it, and keep customers informed via the news media. An uncontrolled release of natural gas may result in fire. Click here for information about natural gas security. Click here to go the Federal Office of Pipeline Safety. Decreased sense of smell Listed below are natural gas sensor websites:
What is Mercaptan? In a concentrated form, its smell is almost unbearable. And it takes only a few parts per million of mercaptan to give natural gas a smell. That is precisely why we add it to natural gas. If we did not add mercaptan, it would be difficult for you to know that unlit natural gas was coming from your stove after you left the valve turned on. And leaks from furnaces and hot water heaters would be nearly impossible to detect without expensive equipment. So mercaptan's smell is a very valuable safety feature. Mercaptans contain sulfur. That's what makes them smell. The kind we use blends well with natural gas and, in a gaseous state, has much the same properties as natural gas, so it will also rise and dissipate with natural gas. There are other uses for mercaptans in industry, including jet fuel, pharmaceuticals and livestock feed additives. They are used in many chemical plants. Mercaptans are less corrosive and less toxic than similar sulfur compounds found naturally in rotten eggs, onions, garlic, skunks, and, of course, bad breath. In other word, forms of mercaptan can be found in things that smell. Flex connectors If you recently installed new gas appliances, the connectors should be safe. The unsafe connectors are attached to gas appliances, such as a range, dryer, furnace or water heater. We don't want to take any chances with your safety. Please take these precautions:
We've notified customer-owners about defective flex connectors since 1990 through the newsletter sent with bill statements. Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) is easy to identify because of the distinctive yellow coating around the stainless steel pipe.
The National Electric Code (NEC) states that the metal piping system (including gas lines) is required to be bonded if it is “likely to be energized” (250.104, 2005 NEC). Arcing from a lightning strike can damage CSST piping. Manufacturers claim bonding and grounding of CSST may provide increased protection of the gas piping in a building. For costs associated with bonding and grounding, contact a licensed electrician. |
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