Help & Questions - Home Gas - Safety & Supply

• Don't smoke or use a naked flame
• Don't switch anything electrical on or off - doorbells, switches or appliances
• Open windows and doors to let the gas disperse
• Check your appliances to see if the gas has been left on without being lit

• Turn off gas at the meter
• Call our 24-hour Emergency Service on 1850 20 50 50
• If you can't get through dial 999

If your phone is in the immediate area of a leak, use a neighbour's phone or the nearest callbox.

Carbon Monoxide (also known as CO) is a poisonous gas which can be given off by any appliance which burns a fossil fuel such as gas, coal or oil. CO can enter your home or a room in your home if:

• You have a faulty appliance.
• Your appliance has not been maintained.
• The room is not properly ventilated.
• The chimney or flue is blocked.

Carbon Monoxide is colourless, odourless and has no taste. It is a killer.

Gas appliances need air to burn safely. With enough air, burning natural gas produces Carbon Dioxide and water in safe amounts. These products are normally taken away by a chimney or flue. However, Carbon Monoxide can be produced if there is too little air, or if the chimney or flue is blocked or obstructed. Look out for the danger signs.

A number of things may indicate that your appliance is unsafe:

• Stains, soot or discolouring around a gas fire or at the top of a gas water heater could mean that the flue or chimney is blocked.
• Appliances that burn slowly, badly (floppy flames), or go out.
• Condensation or dampness on surfaces in the room once the appliance is lit.
• There should not be a strange smell when the appliance is on.

If you are at all worried about a gas appliance, seek help. Don't delay and put yourself or others in danger.

Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning can be similar to those caused by other illnesses such as a cold or flu. But if anyone in your house has any of the following symptoms when using a gas appliance, turn it off and go to your doctor:

• Unexplained headaches, chest pains or muscular weakness.
• Sickness, diarrhoea or stomach pains.
• Sudden dizziness when standing up.
• General lethargy.

Stop using the appliance immediately and do not use it again until it has been checked by a Registered Gas Technician or a qualified Service Engineer.

In case of a Natural Gas Emergency call Bord Gáis Networks 24 hour emergency number 1850 20 50 50.

Older water heaters, made before modern safety devices were introduced in 1996, may be unsafe to use due to the risk of Carbon Monoxide production. If you have an older type, over-sink or over-bath gas water heater, it may be unsafe to use. Stop using it immediately and call Bord Gáis on 1850 79 79 79.

We can then arrange for a Bord Gáis Safety Advisor to visit you without charge. This expert advisor will assess your water heater installation and inform you of the safety action required.

Carbon Monoxide alarms are available from all good hardware stores. They are usually installed adjacent to sleeping areas or in rooms containing a gas appliance. More than one may be required to offer full protection. This type of alarm is only useful for a certain length of time, advised by the manufacturer. Never hold on to a Carbon Monoxide alarm after its useful date has expired. A Carbon Monoxide alarm should not be used as a substitute for a smoke alarm.

While Carbon Monoxide alarms may provide an extra measure of warning, they should never be relied on as a substitute for regular inspection and maintenance of your Natural Gas appliances, venting and chimneys.

The following is a checklist of safety precautions you should take:

• If undertaking alterations to your home which may affect the safety or efficiency of your gas installation, get the advice of a competent Registered Gas Technician. A list of Registered Gas Technicians in your area is available by phoning 1850 632 632.
• Never block a ventilator which is there to ensure a safe supply of air.
• Boilers and appliances should be serviced annually to ensure they continue to run safely and efficiently. To arrange a service with Bord Gáis Energy Servicing phone 1850 632 632.
• Gas boilers and appliances should be installed in accordance with Irish Standard 813: 2002 'Domestic Gas Installations', by a competent Registered Gas Technician.
• Use appliances only for the purpose for which they were designed, i.e. do not use a cooker to heat a room.
• Never use any gas appliance if you suspect it might be faulty. Have it checked. If you require a Safety Check phone 1850 79 79 79.

Important Phone Numbers:

Gas fitting is a job for a competent installer. If you have just moved into a new home or have just had a gas installation to your existing house, always insist that your builder/developer/installer provides you with a copy of a 'Conformance Declaration' for your gas installation.

This certificate is now a requirement of Irish Safety Standard 813:2002. It is your assurance that the installation has been carried out in compliance with the Irish Safety Standard and is safe to use. You should keep this certificate in a safe place with other documents relating to your house.

As soon as you move in or have Natural Gas installed for the first time, for your own safety, it's a good idea to know how to turn off your gas supply at the safety isolation point. Your builder/developer/installer should have provided you with a 'Conformance Declaration' for your gas installation. This document contains important safety information for you including the location of your safety shut off valve for use in the event of a domestic emergency or gas leakage.

• The shut off is frequently fitted within your meter box, outside the house
• If you require a meter key give Bord Gáis Networks a call on 1850 200 694 and we'll organise one for you.
• If the Natural Gas shut off valve is hard to reach or will not operate, call Bord Gáis Networks on 1850 200 694 and we will have the problem resolved for you.

We advise you to turn off the gas when you go away on holidays, or leave your home unoccupied for any length of time, or if there is an unexplained smell of gas in your house.

• First turn off your Natural Gas appliance taps and any pilot lights.
• Then turn the safety shut off valve to the 'off' position. It is off when the lever is at right angles to the pipe.
• When you return it is just as easy to switch back on, but be alert for the smell of gas.

• Ensure that all your gas appliance taps and pilot lights are turned off then simply return the safety shut off valve to the 'on' position.
• It is on when the lever is in line with the pipe.
• Then re-light any pilot lights following the manufacturer's instructions for each appliance.

When buying a gas appliance, deal with a reputable outlet and check that the appliance carries the CE mark. (Confirmation that the Appliance is suitable for use in Ireland). Again your installer should be competent and issue you with a 'Conformance Declaration' for the new appliance installed. Keep the declaration certificate in a safe place.

Every new appliance is supplied with a full instruction book, essential to the correct and safe use of the appliance. Insist that the installer gives you your instruction book. Read it carefully and get to know your appliance. Keep the instructions handy. If you are moving house leave the instruction book for any appliance you are not taking with you. (Contact your appliance supplier if you need a replacement instruction book).

Natural Gas appliances should be serviced annually to make sure they are working safely and efficiently. To arrange a service, logi or register and request through your online account or contact Bord Gáis Energy Servicing on 1850 632 632. If you're concerned that an appliance is not operating safely, or that the gas installation in your house is not in good condition or unsafe then it is possible to have a safety inspection.

To arrange a safety inspection, contact Bord Gáis Energy Servicing on 1850 632 632.

Many people when carrying out home improvements, such as adding extensions, double-glazing, conservatories etc., or when removing internal walls or partitions are unaware that they may be affecting the safety or efficiency of their gas installation. If you require advice before embarking on major alterations, or if you are going to change the use of a living room into a bedroom then you may require the advice of a Registered Gas Installer. (Find your nearest installer).

If you are looking for an installer to install or upgrade a natural gas central heating system please click here for a full list of Registered Gas Installers. Alternatively please phone Bord Gáis Networks on 1850 200 694 for a list of Registered Gas Installers.

Please note: Bord Gáis advises that these installations should only be carried out by a Registered Gas Installer ("RGI") in conformance with the relevant Irish Installation Standards (I.S. 813 or I.S. 820). RGI's are not employees of Bord Gáis and carry out business on their own account and accordingly, Bord Gáis accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss, cost, damage or injury of whatever nature or howsoever caused, whether, directly or indirectly, arising out of, or in connection with, any act, activity or omission of any RGI.