Public Awareness

Natural gas is one of the world’s major energy sources.  Due to its relatively low cost and abundance, approximately 25% of energy used in the United States comes from natural gas.

Since 1954, Austell Gas System has provided natural gas service to our customers.  In our service area, underground pipelines provide natural gas service to homes, businesses, industries, and schools. 

Operating a safe natural gas system has been significantly important to us here at Austell Gas and our commitment to safety is reflected in the construction, operation, and maintenance of our entire system.

We strive to deliver a superior public awareness program by educating the affected public and key stakeholders of the presence of buried and aboveground natural gas pipeline and components.  We work diligently to ensure that the Public is well informed on how to avoid damage to our pipeline system and what to do in case of a gas emergency.  Austell Gas System maintains an ongoing working relationship with local emergency response personnel so that an effective and professional response is given to all gas related emergencies. 

 

Pipeline Purpose and Reliability

In the United States, the natural gas pipeline network delivers natural gas to approximately 70 million customers.  Austell Gas System receives natural gas from our supplier at three separately located city gate stations.  This received natural gas then travels through a network of pressure regulating equipment, mains, service lines, and meters until it reaches the end user.  The natural gas that you receive is delivered at a reduced pressure that accommodates the requirements of your gas appliances and/or gas utilization equipment.

 

Hazard Awareness/Prevention

Most natural gas pipelines are buried underground not only for safety reasons, but also to protect them from weather and to provide reliable service. Sometimes however, pipeline failure does occur due to line rupture, corrosion, material failure or other causes such as, digging into a pipeline. 

CALL BEFORE YOU DIG – IT IS THE LAW

1 – 800-282-7411 OR 811

Safety is for everyone.  Please watch for markers indicating where natural gas pipelines are located.  

 

Damage Prevention/One Call

Call Before You Dig – It is the Law

Georgia Dig Law requires everyone who plans to excavate (including blasting) to call The Utilities Protection Center (UPC) prior to beginning so utility lines can be professionally marked prior to digging.  The service is free of charge and notice must be given no less than 48 hours prior to starting the work.  This applies to digging, ditching, drilling, leveling, blasting and lowering by hand or machine. 

Call the UPC before you dig at: 1 – 800-282-7411 OR 811.

• What is 811?  811 is a federally mandated number designated by the FCC to consolidate all local “Call Before You Dig” numbers.  One easy phone call to 811 quickly and easily begins the process of getting underground utility lines marked. 
• Why should I call 811 before every dig?  Calling 811 will help save lives and protect infrastructure.  Knowing where underground utility lines are buried before each digging project begins helps protect you from injury, expense, and penalties.  The depth of utility lines varies and there may be multiple utility lines in the same area.  Even simple digging projects can damage utility lines and disrupt vital services to an entire neighborhood, harm diggers, and potentially result in expensive fines and repair costs.
• I am just a homeowner, not a contractor – is 811 for me?  Calling 811 is for both professional excavators AND do-it-yourself homeowners.  A recent national survey revealed that roughly half of Americans are “active diggers” who have done (or are planning to do) some type of digging project at home.  Whether you are a professional excavator or an avid do-it-yourselfer, you need to call 811 before every dig every time. 

 

 

How to Recognize a Gas Emergency

Any situation involving gas facilities or operations that could possible endanger human life, cause damage to property, or disrupt normal service to customers is considered an emergency.  The following are potential public safety hazards:

• Pipeline leak where uncontrolled gas is escaping into the atmosphere
• Gas migrating into a home or building from an outside leak 
• Gas leak inside a home or building

 

While digging, if you hit a gas line and see blowing dirt, hear a hissing sound, or smell a gas odor, these are indicators of a leak in the natural gas line.  The greatest risk to underground pipelines is accidental damage during excavation.  Call the Utilities Protection Center (UPC) no less than 48 hours prior to digging. Call the UPC before you dig at 1 – 800-282-7411 or 811.

 

Leak Recognition and Response

If you detect faint whiffs of this odor:

Investigate.  If possible “follow your nose” to the source.  It may be only a pilot that is out, or a burner valve partially turned on. . . something easily and safely corrected.  If the source of the gas cannot be located or if the odor persists, call Austell Gas for assistance: 770 – 948-1841, option “1”.

 

 

If you smell gas odor rising intensely, or it seems to be everywhere:

OUTDOORS – Leave the area and call Austell Gas System IMMEDIATELY at 770 – 948-1841, option “1”.

 

INDOORS – Leave the premises IMMEDATELY. . .

• Do not create any source of possible ignition by lighting of lighters or matches, or turning on or off any switches, or any other device/appliances including phones or cell phones that may create a potential source of ignition.
• Do not re-enter the premise/area until a leak investigation has been conducted; only Emergency Personnel should enter the premises/area.
• Call Austell Gas System from a safe location at 770 – 948-1841, option “1”.
• Remember to call 911 if conditions warrant!

 

 

How to get additional information

Additional information can be obtained through the following:

• U.S. DOT Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration - http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/pipelineforum
• Utilities Protection Center (UPC) - http://www.Georgia811.com
• American Public Gas Association (APGA) -  http://www.apga.org
• American Gas Association (AGA) - http//www.aga.org
• Common Ground Alliance (CGA) - http//www.commongroundallicance.com

 

 

Austell Gas System welcomes your questions regarding natural gas safety.  Please feel free to contact us at 770 -948-1841 or stop by our office during regular business hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.

 

 

 

Carbon Monoxide

When a natural gas appliance is properly operating, complete combustion safely burns the gas.  Complete combustion produces carbon dioxide and water vapor which are non-hazardous by-products.  However, incomplete combustion occurs when there is insufficient air available for complete burning of the fuel.  The most dangerous by-product of incomplete combustion is carbon monoxide (CO).  Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, poisonous gas that is produced by the incomplete burning of various fuels, including coal, wood, oil, kerosene, charcoal, propane, and natural gas.  Because CO is undetectable to the human senses, a person may not know that they are being exposed to CO poisoning.  The initial symptoms of low to moderate CO poisoning are similar to the flu.  They included: 

• Headache
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath

 

 

Higher levels of CO poisoning include:

• Vomiting
• Mental Confusion
• Loss of muscular coordination
• Loss of consciousness
• Too much inhaled CO can be fatal

 

 

How to prevent CO poisoning:

• Appliances should be installed and operated according to the manufacturer’s instructions and local codes. 
• At the beginning of every heating season, have your heating system and other fuel burning appliances professionally inspected and serviced by a HVAC dealer or licensed plumber. 
• Have annual professional inspections and cleanings of vents, flues, and chimneys.
• Install carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home that will sound when potentially dangerous levels of CO are detected. 
• If any member of your household is experiencing symptoms of CO poisoning, immediately get them out of the house and seek medical attention.   If you suspect carbon monoxide, play it safe and get fresh air immediately.  Austell Gas System personnel are available at all times to investigate.  770 – 948-1841, Option “1”.

 

 

 

Flexible Connectors

Flexible corrugated metal gas connectors are used to attach gas appliances such as gas furnaces, ranges, water heaters, and clothes dryers to gas supply lines and should not be used as a substitute for gas piping.  Two or more connectors should not be joined together neither should they be installed through walls, floors, cabinets, etc. 

Some older, uncoated brass connectors can possibly be a safety hazard.  This is due to corrosion or breakage causing a gas leak.  Moving an appliance can cause failure of one of these older weakened flexible connectors.  It is recommended that these older connectors be immediately replaced.

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