CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Several times during the winter months 911 operators will get a flurry of calls about the odor of natural gas. Now in some cases, this can be a legitimate gas leak, but sometimes its something else.
If you ever smell gas indoors, quickly evacuate the building and call 911. But if you only smell it outside, it might not be as dangerous.
Natural gas, which is primarily methane, doesnt actually have any odor at all. So for safety, most gas companies add small quantities of a compound call Mercaptan. Its what gives it the smell of rotten eggs and this is for safety so people know when there is a gas leak.
Natural gas is much lighter than air so when it is released into the air it rises quickly and dissipates outside. The mercaptan is heavier though so it can often sink and hang closer to the surface. This difference is important to why under certain weather conditions you might smell gas.
The meter outside you houses a regulator on it which helps control the flow of gas into your home or business. There are times it will normally bleed-off or “burp” small amounts of gas to keep the pressure from building too high in your home. This is normal. So if you are near a meter you might smell it.
Heres where the weather plays a role. There are times especially on clear cold nights with high pressure. Or on nights when a warm front aloft is moving in that we get a strong temperature inversion. This is a warm layer of air just above the surface with colder air below it. The cold air is heavy and dense and the warm layer traps lots of thing below it. It can trap smoke, fog, and even sound like we have seen with winter thunder being so loud. At certain times these inversions can trap that smell of gas that is being “burped” out from the meters. Especially in areas where there is a lot of gas service in a neighborhood. These inversions are most common in the morning and at night.
So when in doubt and you smell natural gas call 911 but if its only outside and its a cold morning or night. It very likely could be a combination of a temperature inversion and the gas meters doing what they are supposed to do.
Natural gas is always lighter than air, and will rise in a room if allowed to escape from a burner or leaking fitting. On the contrary, propane is heavier than air and will settle in a basement or other low level. Incomplete combustion can occur when the gas mixture is richer than 10%.
Having a low flashpoint and a high vapor density is what makes gasoline such a hazardous liquid. In normal everyday-life circumstances it’s always producing a flammable vapor. This vapor is heavier than the air around it, so if left in an unventilated area, the vapor can collect in low places and cause a fire hazard. A vapor cloud igniting and traveling back to the source is known as flashback, and this has the potential to travel hundreds of feet. Gasoline is a dangerous substance, and one we use almost every day! But don’t worry, there are lots of safety precautions set in place in your car and at fuel stations to protect you, and just a little knowledge of how it works can help you protect yourself.
Photo by Skitterphoto
That’s it! If you’d like to read more about gasoline spills or how to pump fuel safely, please visit our article on preventing spills at the gas station. Maui Oil Company always makes every effort to ensure your safety and adhere to the industry’s highest safety standards. Mahalo nui loa for reading! Aloha, a hui hou!
Aloha Friends! You may have seen signs at a gas station near you telling customers to avoid using cell phones and not to smoke, to turn your vehicle off, and wondered why these signs were posted. And what is gasoline or fuel vapor? Or maybe you already know the reason for all these things but would just like a little clarification. Keep reading to learn what gasoline vapor is, why it’s a hazard, how your closest fuel station protects you, and how to protect yourself.
Most vehicles in the United States these days are outfitted with an ORVR, which is an Onboard refueling vapor recovery system. This system is designed to prevent gasoline vapors from escaping while you refuel your vehicle, and recirculates them into the engine as fuel. The system includes a variety of valves and lines including your fuel tank to prevent liquid and vapor from escaping during the refueling process. It helps keep you safe and reduces air pollution! On the fuel nozzle itself there are components in place to prevent the escape of liquid and vapor gasoline, valves and overfill detectors. These measures are helpful in keeping you safe, but it’s important for individuals to exercise care to maximize their safety and the safety of those around them.
So when in doubt and you smell natural gas call 911 but if its only outside and its a cold morning or night. It very likely could be a combination of a temperature inversion and the gas meters doing what they are supposed to do.
Natural gas, which is primarily methane, doesnt actually have any odor at all. So for safety, most gas companies add small quantities of a compound call Mercaptan. Its what gives it the smell of rotten eggs and this is for safety so people know when there is a gas leak.
Natural gas is much lighter than air so when it is released into the air it rises quickly and dissipates outside. The mercaptan is heavier though so it can often sink and hang closer to the surface. This difference is important to why under certain weather conditions you might smell gas.
If you ever smell gas indoors, quickly evacuate the building and call 911. But if you only smell it outside, it might not be as dangerous.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Several times during the winter months 911 operators will get a flurry of calls about the odor of natural gas. Now in some cases, this can be a legitimate gas leak, but sometimes its something else.
SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING – PLUS HOW TO PREVENT IT
FAQ
Do gasoline fumes go up or down?
Do gasoline vapors rise or sink?
Do gas fumes rise or settle?
Does gas smell rise or fall?
Does natural gas rise?
The short answer? Yes, natural gas does rise. The longer answer is that it rises because of its composition. Natural gas is primarily composed of methane, a colorless and nearly odorless gas that’s lighter than air. As a result, it will gradually displace oxygenated air from the top down if enough of it is released in a confined space.
Why do I have an excessive amount of gas?
You may be swallowing more air than you realize. Or, your process of digestion may be normal but might be generating more gases than before. Review your diet. Many healthy foods are gas-producing. Common ones include beans; certain vegetables, such as cabbage, brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, and peas; oat bran and other high-fiber foods; carbonated beverages; foods containing sorbitol (a sugar alcohol used in many low-calorie foods); and fructose, a natural sugar present in many fruits, including prunes, pears, grapes, dates, and figs.
Why do propane fumes fall & settle in low areas?
Propane fumes, due to their denser nature compared to air, tend to fall and settle in low areas. Recognizing this behavior is crucial for safety, especially in areas where propane is stored or used. Making informed decisions based on this knowledge can help prevent potential hazards and ensure safer environments.
What happens if natural gas is present?
If natural gas is present, it should hiss and bubbleit will be very obvious. By herrdoktor’s logic, all the oxygen should be down around the floorboards, and those of us walking around with our air intakes at the lofty height of 5 feet or more should be choking to death on pure nitrogen. That doesn’t happen.