Gas Leaks

If you suspect a gas leak you should:

Contact TRANSCO immediately after turning off the appliance and the gas supply at the meter.

• DO NOT switch on or off any electrical appliances.
• DO NOT smoke
• DO NOT use naked flames
• DO NOT use intercoms or door entry systems – they can cause sparks

• DO NOT use a phone in the property – it can cause sparks.
• DO NOT use mobile phones
• DO NOT flick any electrical switches – they can cause sparks

• DO open windows and doors to allow the gas to disperse
• DO turn off gas at the meter
• If the smell of gas persists – evacuate the building

Transco will need some of the following information:

• Full address including postcode
• Name of caller/tenant
• Telephone number
• How long has there been a smell of gas/gas leak?
• Where is the smell/leak coming from?
• Has the gas been turned off at the meter?
• Are there any children or older people in the property?
• Any special visiting/access requirements?

Transco will attempt to trace the leak and carry out immediate repairs if they can be done easily.

If more extensive work is needed Transco will inform the Council and the work will be carried out as quickly as possible thereafter. 

Transco will make your property safe and tell you what to do. Where a gas leak has been identified which is difficult to trace, the gas supply will be capped at the meter. Should this happen contact WCBC repairs department on 08000 855 808 or WCBC’s Carecall department (out of hours) who will send WCBC’s maintenance contractor out to check the gas pipe work.

Gas Safety

The law says we have a legal duty to ensure that any installation pipe work, appliances, and where applicable, their flues are tested every 12 months, and we take this duty very seriously. 

Gas Servicing Engineers will call and carry out a safety check on all appliances once every year, and records are kept of all the services that are carried out, to enable us to identify those properties where access is not provided. 

While we do not wish to take court action to resolve any failure to provide access, the tenancy agreement clearly states that this is what will happen if there is a failure to cooperate. 

Why checks must be carried out

• People die of carbon monoxide poisoning.
• It is the law.
• Regular maintenance keeps your heating working efficiently, saving you money and the environment.
• We can find out if more work is needed.

You do not have to worry about the cost, because the annual service is free.

We are also responsible for carrying out an annual gas safety check in every property with a gas supply this includes a safety check on your own appliances.

Your own appliances

During the safety check we will also check any gas appliances you own. If we find any are not safe we will tell you, but you are responsible for getting these appliances repaired or replaced.

Carbon Monoxide – the Silent Killer

Accidental carbon monoxide poisoning kills around 40 people in Britain every year. A much larger number (over 200) suffer from the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Carbon monoxide is produced by gas appliances which are:

• badly installed
• not maintained properly
• do not have enough ventilation

It is invisible and has no smell or taste. Even small quantities can lead to a variety of serious health problems, including brain damage.

Carbon monoxide given off from unsafe heating appliances can KILL.

Even though you think you are not in danger, dangerous fumes could be leaking into your home.  

You cannot taste or smell carbon monoxide, but it can be lethal.  More information can be accessed through Carbon Monoxide Kills website (external site)

Danger Signs

Danger Signs of Carbon Monoxide Leak

• Signs of a carbon monoxide leak include sooty marks on walls near gas appliances and flames that burn orange instead of blue.

Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning include things like:

• fatigue, headaches, chest pains, sudden giddiness on standing up, nausea, diarrhoea, stomach pains, or erratic behaviour.

A faulty gas appliance may be responsible, especially if:

• more than one person in your household, or visiting, suffers symptoms

• the symptoms improve away from your home and get worse when you return

• the symptoms are worse when the appliance is in use

Any gas appliance - fires, heaters, central heating boilers, water heaters or cookers - can cause these effects.

Danger Signs on a Gas Appliance

Your gas appliance may be unsafe if you notice any of the following signs:

• A yellow or orange flame instead of a blue one.

• A pilot light which keeps blowing out.

• Any part of the appliance has turned black or brown, or shows signs of scorching.

• Signs of soot, a sooty or musty smell.

• Increased condensation on windows.

Avoiding danger

• Never use a gas appliance if you think it's not working properly.

• Never cover an appliance or block the air vents.

• Never block or obstruct any fixed ventilation grilles or airbricks.

• Never block or cover outside flu.