How to Detect and Fix a Gas Leak in Your Commercial Building

Whether you are a business owner, a maintenance professional, or an employee, it is essential to know how to detect and fix a gas leak in your commercial building near Olathe, Lenexa, and Overland Park. Gas leaks can cause fires, explosions, asphyxiation, or carbon monoxide poisoning and, as such, should be considered an emergency when a leak is detected.

Here’s information on how to determine if there is a gas leak in your building, what symptoms of the leak may be present, and what steps you should take if you suspect there is a problem.

What Does a Gas Leak Smell & Look Like?

The first thing to do is see if anyone has detected any unusual odors, as a hissing sound may not always be present. Usually, natural gas is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, but your utility company will put a harmless chemical like mercaptan into the gas, giving it the smell of rotten eggs or skunk spray to aid you in identifying a leak. 

Sometimes a gas leak may be noticeable only in one area of the building or only on one side. Pay attention to any hissing or whistling sounds near a gas line or for any damaged connections to the gas line. Because the gas in pipelines is under pressure, the escaping gas can create white clouds, blowing dust and bubbles in standing water. Gas leaks can also harm or kill vegetation, so be on the lookout for dead or discolored plants in the immediate area.

Gas Leak Symptoms

Because gas leaks limit the amount of oxygen in the area, it’s possible that some personnel in the area may begin suffering physical symptoms. Pay attention if you or anyone else reports a sudden onset of the following:

• Breathing problems
• Chest or stomach pain
• Dizziness
• Eye or throat irritation
• Fatigue
• Loss of muscle control
• Nausea
• Vision problems

How to Respond

If you do smell gas or believe you have a leak, take the following steps:

• Extinguish any nearby flames immediately. Shut off any equipment that might be producing fire, such as stoves. Do not turn lights on or off, make phone calls, or use any appliance or possible sources of ignition.
• If it is safe, shut off the main gas valve that supplies your building. 
• Evacuate the building. Everyone should leave the building immediately and gather in a safe place away from the building. In some cases, gas explosions can be powerful enough to level entire buildings, so employees and customers should ensure that they have plenty of distance between them and the building.
• Once you’ve safely away from the leak, contact your gas company and let them know what’s happened. Next, contact your local fire department and notify them that you have a suspected gas leak. 
• Wait for assistance. Do not reenter the building until you’ve been given the “all clear.”

Who to Call for a Gas Leak Repair

Once you’ve verified that everyone is safe and there is no risk of explosion, it’s time to fix the problem. If you’re looking for gas leak repair near Kansas City, Olathe, and Lenexa, DMC Service is always available for a speedy, professional response to an emergency 24/7. DMC has been serving the Kansas City Metro area for 20 years and can support any type of commercial or industrial plumbing system. 

If you think you may have a gas leak in your building, don’t hesitate to call your local gas company or emergency services. The safety of everyone who works in your building depends on it. Give us a call or contact us online to experience our diamond-strong, brilliant work.

Founded in 2004, DMC Service, Inc. is proud of our decade plus service to the Kansas City Metro and beyond. Based out of Olathe, we are a 100% woman-owned business with Karen Crnkovich at the helm as President and “Chief Hand-Shaker”. Karen leads the DMC Service team with unwavering passion and enthusiasm to fulfill our purpose: To keep people comfortable, safe and healthy.