Gas piping
Its parts
- Gas meter
- Note that an EFV cannot protect against certain leaks on the service line or meter such as those caused by corrosion or loose fittings. It also cannot protect against leaks beyond the natural gas meter, for example, natural gas piping inside the premises and also at or near appliances.
- Gas shutoff valve
- Gas piping requirements (e.g., drip leg and shut-off valve at furnace) and total capacity (e.g., may be insufficient if an instantaneous water heater was added).
- Mercaptan
- Larger transmission pipelines that operate at a higher pressure than the lines that distribute natural gas to homes carry un-odorized natural gas. When natural gas passes through our gate stations, we add mercaptan, a rotten egg-like odorant, to help detect leaks.
- Odorant fade occurs when a physical or chemical process causes the level of odorant in the gas to be reduced. This can happen in both existing gas pipe and new installations.
- Gas leak
- Over time, the end pieces can separate from the tubing and cause a serious natural gas leak, explosion or fire.
- Over time, the end pieces can separate from the tubing and cause a serious natural gas leak, explosion or fire. While these dangerous uncoated brass connectors have not been made for more than 20 years, many of them are still in use.
If it may be unsafe
If you smell gas, leave the house and call Peoples Gas at 866-556-6002 or 911 from outside. If your CO alarm sounds or anyone feels sick, leave and call 911 from outside.
AirLogic is not an emergency service.
Related pages
- Glossary: Gas piping
Its entry, and the guide's pages that use it.
Sources
- Nicor Gas. Excess Flow Valve (EFV).
- U.S. Department of Energy. Pre-Retrofit Assessment of Existing HVAC Systems.
- Peoples Gas. Natural gas pipeline safety.
- Nicor Gas. Natural gas safety and you (safety insert).
- Nicor Gas. Appliance Connectors.