Natural gas is one of the most efficient and versatile burning fuels to work with. It has a multitude of uses both at home and in the industrial sector. However, it is also highly volatile. This means extreme care is often taken when dealing with this gas.
Natural gas is odorless and colorless but because it is also highly flammable, companies would always add a chemical product to this gas to give it a rotten egg smell so that users can detect a leak when necessary. This gas also needs to be transported safely and efficiently. For this reason, businesses use high high-quality natural gas compressors. Over time and with frequent use, natural gas compressor parts may wear and tear, which means they need to be inspected often and replaced when need be.
Here are a couple of other tips for using natural gas at work and home.
Using Natural Gas Safely at Home
Natural gas is used at home for several purposes some of which include cooking on grills, stoves, ovens, and cooktops; providing hot water for the home, air conditioning, generating electricity, and hot water among other similar uses. Anyone with a basic understanding of homogenous mixtures and the following safety tips can safely use natural gas at home.
Step One: Get the Appropriate Appliances and Maintain Them Regularly.
Make sure you buy natural gas appliances that meet the national safety standards in your country. You can consult professionals before making any purchases. If you have a natural gas heating system, for instance, get a professional to check it before winter starts. In addition, when using natural gas for cooking, make sure your cooker’s burners are clean. The flames should be bright blue and not yellowish orange. Schedule routine maintenance checks on all appliances.
Step Two: Be Well-Informed.
Read the manuals that come with your natural gas appliances to follow the safety instructions during installation or household use. Only qualified or licensed gas service workers should install your natural gas appliances.
Step Three: Locate the Safety Valve.
Ask installation professionals about the location and usage of the main gas shut-off valve. This way, in emergencies, you can quickly shut off your gas. You may need a tool to shut off the gas valve, such as a wrench or screwdriver, so make it handy.
Step Four: Ensure Adequate Ventilation.
Use natural gas heaters or appliances only in well-ventilated rooms. For example, don’t install a natural gas water heater in an unventilated bathroom.
Step Five: Use your Natural Gas Appliances for Designated Purposes.
Don’t use the appliances for other purposes, such as using an oven to warm up your place. Make sure your fireplace is cleaned and well-maintained. It’s a good idea to install a safety screen.
Step Six: Recognize the Smell.
According to Enbridge tips on natural gas safety, If you detect a smell like rotten eggs or suspect that gas is escaping, go outside of your house or apartment. Don’t use your cell phone inside or turn on the electrical switches. And contact your natural gas provider immediately.
Step Seven: Install Gas Detectors.
Consider installing a Carbon Monoxide detector at your place, especially near your bedrooms. Carbon Monoxide is invisible, odorless, and harmful if it builds up within contained spaces. When natural gas displaces oxygen, it causes suffocation.
Step Eight: Keep a Fire Extinguisher at Home.
Keep your fire extinguisher handy at home. In addition, you can use sodium bicarbonate to put out a small fire as it releases sodium bicarbonate which smothers the fire.
Step Nine: Keep Your Home Safe.
Keep your children and pets away from natural gas appliances to prevent dangerous mistakes. Also, it’s important to keep combustible objects away from heaters and cookers.
Using Industrial Natural Gas Safely
In industrial settings, natural gas is often used to generate heat and electricity. It is also used in the manufacturing of certain chemical products or as a base ingredient for products like fertilizers, fabrics, anti-freeze, and plastic. Here are tips for staying safe when dealing with industrial natural gas.
Step One: Maintain the Storage Cylinder.
Maintain the natural gas storage cylinder and its valve regularly. Make sure there’s no extreme pressure within the cylinder due to heat. Also, never store gas in direct sunlight.
Step Two: Label the Supply Hoses.
Natural gas supply hoses should have different labels or colors. This way, they won’t be mistaken for other ones. Also, professionals should inspect gas hoses before every work shift to detect the ones wearing out or damaged. Also, check your gas compressors often. Damaged parts should be replaced immediately.
Step Three: Only Hire Certified Professionals.
To ensure the safety of your business property, only hire licensed workers, even if they’re going to carry out simple tasks. That’s because human error can be both disastrous and costly. Therefore, enrolling your employees in natural gas maintenance and safety training would be a good option.