Gas Safety Newsletter - June 2020
To our valued customers:
As we all continue to navigate through the COVID-19 crisis, we want to assure you of our commitment to delivering safe and reliable natural gas and to helping you and your family use energy safely.
As the pandemic has evolved over these past months we have made temporary changes to our services and taken actions to protect you, our communities and employees. This includes service visits to your home or business. We will continue to follow CDC, local and state guidance as we move forward.
As always, we respond to gas emergencies 24 hours a day.
You can find the latest information on our response to the pandemic, at ngrid.com/covid-19.
Meter inspections are required.
New York state law requires us to periodically inspect natural gas meters and associated piping. The no-cost inspections make sure all natural gas services are working properly and safely. When you receive notification in the mail, please respond right away to schedule a convenient appointment time for this important safety check.
Every National Grid employee and any contractor doing work for us must carry photo ID. Always ask to see their ID before letting them in your home. If you have doubts, don’t let them in and call us or local law enforcement.
Use your senses to detect gas leaks.
- SMELL: Natural gas is odorless. A strong odor similar to rotten eggs is added so you can detect it fast.
- SIGHT: Outdoors you may see a white cloud, mist, fog, and bubbles in standing water. You may see blowing dust. Vegetation in the area may appear to be dying.
- SOUND: You may hear an unusual noise like roaring, hissing or whistling.
- ACT: If you think there is a gas leak, leave your home or area immediately and take others with you, including pets. Do not smoke, turn on light switches, or use the phone or cell phone.
- CALL: 911 or 1-718-643-4050
Request a service disconnection before major projects.
Leaving natural gas service connected during major renovation or demolition projects could pose a hazard such as injury, damage to property, or cause future undetected leaks.
Before work begins, contact National Grid for a service disconnection and to obtain the required application to disconnect gas service and remove the gas meter.
Be sure to specify that you require a disconnection, rather than a shutoff, which is only used during tenant/owner transitions and not during major construction.
Do not begin work until you receive a service line disconnect letter. Local municipalities often seek this before issuing a permit. An owner or contractor may apply for the letter on behalf of the property owner. The owner must provide an affidavit authorizing work.
To obtain a service disconnection application call Customer Service at 1-718-643-4050.
*There are fees associated with disconnecting and reconnecting gas lines. It’s the owner’s or contractor’s responsibility to obtain a disconnect letter.
Excess flow valve available.
Customers may request installation of an excess flow valve (EFV), a safety device that slows the flow of natural gas in the event of a service line break*. An EFV is not required for normal operation of your gas line. In fact, you may already have an EFV installed.
*Certain conditions must exist for this installation. There is a charge for this service.
Visit ngrid.com and click on the Safety and Outages tab for more information.
Use outdoor gas appliances safely.
Keep safety in mind while enjoying your backyard this summer.
Grills:
- Make sure the gas grill is turned off or disconnected before cleaning.
- Check the metal tubes under each burner for signs of spiders, insects and nests which can block gas flow, possibly causing a fire. Models with spider guards or screens can help prevent this problem by preventing spiders or other insects from moving into the tube.
- Clean regularly. Use a small flexible brush to remove debris from the metal tube and a thin wire to gently clean the holes or ports of each burner.
Natural gas patio heaters and fireplaces:
- Have a certified contractor run the gas line.
- Keep appliances a safe distance away from your house or any building.
Keep your family safe with alarms.
Installing alarms in your home can provide added protection for you and your family. It’s important to know the difference. Please follow manufacturer’s instructions for each alarm for installation, proper placement and regular testing.
- A carbon monoxide (CO) detector sounds an alarm when carbon monoxide is present in the air.
- A smoke alarm senses smoke indicating a fire.
- A residential methane detector (RMD) signals methane in the air indicating a gas leak.
Visit ngrid.com and click on the Safety and Outages tab for more information.
Multi-family, apartment or business complex owners please share. This is an important safety notice. Please have it translated. See “select language” link at nationalgridus.com.