If gas catches fire
- Move to a safe location
- Call 000
If you smell gas don't ignore it. Gas has a strong smell added to it so that leaks can be easily detected.
Smelling gas outdoors
In the street, verge or nature strip
- the street mains
- the pipework between the mains and your gas meter
- your gas meter.
Australian Gas Networks is responsible for repairing leaks to gas infrastructure such as:
Report a gas leak immediately on 1800 427 532 – 24 hours a day.
On your property
Turn off your gas supply if you smell gas on your property, after the gas meter, and call a licensed gas fitter.
By law, you must use a licenced gas fitter for any work between the property’s gas meter outlet and:
- pipe work from the gas meter to appliances
- gas appliances
- any flues or ducts.
Leaks don’t always give off a constant, strong gas smell. Other signs of a leak in underground pipes can include:
- bubbles on the surface of puddles
- patches of dead grass or vegetation.
Smelling gas inside
If you think there’s a gas leak in your home you should go outside at once, opening doors and windows and extinguishing any open flames as you go.
Once outside, you should:
- Locate and turn off the gas and electricity supply from the outdoor meters.
- Use a mobile phone or ask a neighbour to call a licensed gas fitter.
- Wait until your home has been inspected by a gas fitter before re-entering.
To reduce the risk of a spark and fire make sure you:
- don’t use a flame to find the leak
- don't use a fan to help ventilation
- don't plug in or unplug any electrical appliances or switch them on or off
- don't use a telephone indoors
- don’t use a torch or switch on or off any lights
- don't smoke or light matches in or near the property.
