tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960936282220367813.post968703451147276405..comments2024-03-13T23:09:31.854-07:00Comments on QUAKETIPS: Should I turn my gas off after an earthquake? Don't guess about gas...Matt Springerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16388585440067493359noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960936282220367813.post-39602111721731291792021-08-28T14:53:25.136-07:002021-08-28T14:53:25.136-07:00Thanks for all your input!Thanks for all your input!Royhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16930284810605265501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960936282220367813.post-51126708618052330422021-08-27T16:27:03.587-07:002021-08-27T16:27:03.587-07:00Correct; number one priority is to get yourself an...Correct; number one priority is to get yourself and any other people or pets out and a safe distance away from the building. From there, as you can see in the original article and in some of the comments, advice varies from gas expert to gas expert in terms of whether or not to shut of the main feeder valve to the home. The lack of consensus on that point is frustrating to me.Matt Springerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16388585440067493359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960936282220367813.post-44348314029895629002021-08-27T14:05:19.655-07:002021-08-27T14:05:19.655-07:00Ah so you mean if the leak is located before or af...Ah so you mean if the leak is located before or after the valve. I did not consider that as well as the other points you mentioned. So the advice is during an earthquake, stay in your home but after it's over, if you smell gas, just get outside? Thank you.Royhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16930284810605265501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960936282220367813.post-20426614663858144272021-08-26T00:27:11.375-07:002021-08-26T00:27:11.375-07:00First of all, while I admire the details of the pl...First of all, while I admire the details of the plan, it's taking one major thing for granted, which is that the gas leak is downstream of the kitchen's shut-off valve. However, it's just as likely that the leak is upstream of that valve, permeating the walls and filling up the apartment space. That's why I'm sure that the gas company would tell you to forget about that interior valve, and make your number one priority to get out of the apartment. Remember that even if you turned off the valve, the gas would already be around you so you'd be inhaling it either way, and you wouldn't know whether you stopped the leak because you'd expect to still smell it even after successfully stopping the leak. I think the only way you would know this is if you heard a hissing sound that stopped after turning off the valve, or could see your gas meter but in that case, you'd already be out.<br /><br />I am not sure how effective the lotion/vaseline/etc. strategy would be in preventing the spark, but they are interesting ideas!Matt Springerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16388585440067493359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960936282220367813.post-31223483359596745062021-08-25T14:42:50.685-07:002021-08-25T14:42:50.685-07:00Thank you Matt for your swift and detailed reply! ...Thank you Matt for your swift and detailed reply! While reading this, I came up with a solution (for myself, at least). I live in a small apt. Maybe 20 feet from kitchen to balcony. Upon smelling gas, I would first head over to my balcony where there's fresh air, put my phone into airplane mode, turn on my flashlight, gulp a nice lungful of air, hold my breath, then head over to my cupboard. Empty out all my 12 or so bottles of emergency water (the valve is all the way in the back). If I need more air, head back to my balcony for another gulp. Then head back to my cupboard with flashlight still on. The red handle to the gas valve does not require a tool so I think there is very little risk of any spark. For anyone who does require a tool though, wouldn't running it underwater real quick or slathering vaseline, vegetable oil, skin lotion, or the like onto the point of contact of the tool alleviate the risk of spark?<br /><br />What do you think of my plan?Royhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16930284810605265501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960936282220367813.post-11642302418733444702021-08-24T03:07:08.336-07:002021-08-24T03:07:08.336-07:00Great questions. You can see from the previous co...Great questions. You can see from the previous comments here including someone with experience in the gas industry that we have official advice both to shut it off in the event of a leak, and to not shut it off because doing so could cause a spark. I admit to being a bit baffled about that contradiction in what different companies or experts are recommending.<br /><br />But regardless of that issue, turning off the gas in the back of a kitchen cupboard is a bad, bad idea... By the time you get to it, you could be inhaling the gas, and I presume that the danger from a spark is much greater right at the leak. I've never heard advice to turn off the gas in the kitchen; rather, the first thing you do is to get everyone out of the building. Plus, if you have a gas leak, it may be upstream of that shut-off, which is why if you DO shut off the gas, it should be outside the building at the main shut-off.<br /><br />The PG&E website that I referenced in the previous comment does advise against using flashlights and cell phones if you suspect a gas leak. Definitely avoid light switches. If someone calls you on the cell phone, I've got no clue; I really suspect that the cell phone guidance is based on older phones rather than modern smartphones but I am not sure.<br /><br />One last point to mention is that this is another good reason to have emergency backup lights (see https://quaketips.blogspot.com/2014/02/dont-be-left-in-dark-which-kinds-of.html and https://quaketips.blogspot.com/2019/05/back-to-back-up-lights-update-on.html) because that means that if the power goes out and the lights are off, those backup lights will turn on instantly hopefully before any leaked gas has reached them. That is a guess on my part though.Matt Springerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16388585440067493359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960936282220367813.post-54374028378517250092021-08-24T01:46:28.166-07:002021-08-24T01:46:28.166-07:00Let's say there's an earthquake in the mid...Let's say there's an earthquake in the middle of the night. You suspect a gas leak and need to turn it off. It's located in a kitchen cupboard all the way in the back. Are we supposed to do this in complete darkness? Will turning on a flashlight cause a spark? Also, what should I do about my cell phone. Couldn't it cause a spark if someone happened to call me at that moment? Should I turn my cell phone off? Silent? Airplane mode? Is it ok to use the cell phone flashlight as a light source to turn off the gas?Royhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16930284810605265501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960936282220367813.post-18394820866938547772018-10-08T02:18:41.555-07:002018-10-08T02:18:41.555-07:00That's a very good question; I've been con...That's a very good question; I've been confused about that as well. I have signs at gas stations sometimes that warn against using cell phones near the pumps, although it seems like many people do anyway. If you DO have a gas leak, according to my local utility company PG&E's website, "Do not use anything that could be a source of ignition, including cell phones, flashlights, light switches, matches or vehicles, until you are a safe distance away." I would say, however, that if you suspected a gas leak (smell, hissing sound, meters running for no reason), your first priority would be shutting off the gas, not texting people. If you didn't have any reason to suspect a leak and felt comfortable remaining in your home, then cell phone use would presumably be ok. Matt Springerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16388585440067493359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960936282220367813.post-13187259234007164532018-10-07T09:16:44.569-07:002018-10-07T09:16:44.569-07:00Is it really true that using a cell phone could ca...Is it really true that using a cell phone could cause a spark? I see that at gas pumps and use caution, but I know in the case of an earthquake I would want to make a quick text to other family members. Any advice?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17565989506383547009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960936282220367813.post-91483533426094907302016-10-24T09:29:01.851-07:002016-10-24T09:29:01.851-07:00Please see one of the other blog articles at http:...Please see one of the other blog articles at http://quaketips.blogspot.com/2013/07/does-bottled-water-really-expire-fda.htmlMatt Springerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16388585440067493359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960936282220367813.post-75423712372283560432016-10-24T01:46:39.142-07:002016-10-24T01:46:39.142-07:00HOW TO STORE WATERHOW TO STORE WATERAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04571828795230778384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960936282220367813.post-25536667568465895032016-08-26T19:13:07.366-07:002016-08-26T19:13:07.366-07:00There are 2 ways shutting it off could spark: stat...There are 2 ways shutting it off could spark: static, and metal-to-metal contact. Just like touching a doorknob or car, a static build-up could discharge a spark. As for the metal-to-metal contact, any time you have said contact you can get a spark; this is especially true when the valve is stuck or difficult to turn and the wrench slips.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960936282220367813.post-50111770118030615592016-02-20T02:27:06.867-08:002016-02-20T02:27:06.867-08:00Thanks for this comment, and I'm not surprised...Thanks for this comment, and I'm not surprised that official recommendations vary. While I want to present a balanced range of opinions and recommendations, I do want to mention that this advice contradicts that of the main utilities companies in the San Francisco Bay Area and the LA area that I consulted when writing the article. Interestingly enough, if you look up what PG&E has on its website about turning off gas, in one place, it gives advice that sounds very much like that presented in the comment: clear the area and call 911 from a phone away from the residence. However, on the page that describes how to turn off the gas, there are comments to discourage people from doing so in the event of a gas leak, and they recommend that people turn off the gas but only if the leak is suspected. <br /><br />The advice to not turn off gas if leaking also conflicts with the practice of the San Francisco Fire Department, which teaches its Neighborhood Emergency Response Team volunteers about turning off residential gas supply if necessary and includes that in the list of things they will probably be asked to do.<br /><br />One question that occurs to me is how a spark would be generated by turning a mechanical shut-off valve. I know that light switches and electrical implements carry the risk of sparking and should not be used if gas leak is suspected, but I'm surprised to hear that a spark is a potential outcome of turning that valve.<br /><br />At any rate, just like the debate over whether you really can't turn the gas back on, and the debate about the pros and cons of automatic shut-off valves, the gas issue is not one on which consensus is common! It's a shame, and I hope that the Real Experts (I just pass along the info from Real Experts) can come to a consensus on all of these issues so that the public can get a unified message!Matt Springerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16388585440067493359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960936282220367813.post-68051163024574065972016-02-19T14:04:56.921-08:002016-02-19T14:04:56.921-08:00I have 20 years experience in the natural gas dist...I have 20 years experience in the natural gas distribution field as a company service technician, and our company stance is for a customer to NOT turn off the gas "just because" there is an earthquake. As stated in this article, it could take days or weeks to get your gas back on. <br /><br />HOWEVER... if you do have a broken pipe or smell large quantities of natural gas, our company would like you to LEAVE THE AREA and call instead of turning off the meter because turning off a meter with a gas leak could in fact cause a spark and thus an explosion or fire. <br /><br />Best to leave both the OFF or ON to the professionals. Buildings can be replaced, people cannot!!! Leave and call 911 Thanks...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960936282220367813.post-60364970122725383832015-11-10T22:27:18.364-08:002015-11-10T22:27:18.364-08:00That's a great question... wish I had a great ...That's a great question... wish I had a great answer! I suspect that the employer will have their own gas policy and it's doubtful that the employees can even find the gas shut-off. However, if you have a familiar enough relationship with your employer, you could certainly raise the topic. Really good question; I must admit that I haven't been thinking along those lines but it's presumably just as important to not blow up your work as it is to not blow up your home.Matt Springerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16388585440067493359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960936282220367813.post-61261661945771137252015-11-10T22:21:27.911-08:002015-11-10T22:21:27.911-08:00What about at work what should be done about the g...What about at work what should be done about the gas supply there after an earthquake?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960936282220367813.post-42553456034831278722015-07-31T10:25:54.850-07:002015-07-31T10:25:54.850-07:00Thank you for this excellent and informative post....Thank you for this excellent and informative post. I would never have thought of turning the gas back on as particularly hazardous. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com